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Australia’s outbound travel demand has surged to unprecedented levels, with new data from the ATIA Travel Trends Report revealing that international trips skyrocketed by 16.2% in 2024. Driven by a hunger for global exploration, Australians embarked on 11.6 million international trips, with destinations in Asia and the United States leading the charge.

Japan, Indonesia, and the US: Top Destinations for Australians

Australians are embracing international travel like never before, with Japan experiencing an extraordinary 56.9% increase in Australian visitors, reaching 798,710 travellers in the past year. Indonesia remains the most favoured destination, recording a 22.7% rise, with 1.68 million Australians heading to its iconic beaches and cultural hubs. The United States also grew strongly, welcoming 735,210 Australians, a 10.2% increase from the previous year.

China Leads Explosive Growth in Inbound Tourism

Inbound tourism to Australia is thriving, with total visitor numbers reaching 8.27 million, reflecting a 15.1% increase. China stands out as the fastest-growing source market, with a remarkable 66.4% surge, bringing 891,550 visitors to Australia.

New Zealand remains Australia’s largest inbound market, contributing 1.39 million visitors—a 9.5% rise. The United States and the United Kingdom also posted solid growth rates, increasing 8.0% and 7.4%, respectively.

Seasonal Trends: When & Why Australians Are Traveling

Australians are taking advantage of key travel seasons, with July emerging as the peak holiday month, as 63.1% of outbound travellers cited leisure as their primary reason for travel.

Family reunions dominated travel in January, with 34.8% of Australians heading abroad to visit friends and relatives, reflecting the impact of the holiday season. Business travel peaked in March, with 8.7% of outbound travellers jetting off for work-related trips.

Airline Market Share: Who’s Leading the Skies?

Qantas Airways continues to reign as Australia’s top international carrier, capturing a 17.3% market share and 597,000 passengers by year-end. Jetstar followed closely, securing an 11.7% market share and carrying 402,000 travellers, while Singapore Airlines commanded 9.8% of the market, with 337,000 passengers.

Domestic Air Travel: Strong Demand Continues

On home soil, Sydney-Melbourne remains Australia’s busiest domestic route, with 763,228 available seats recorded in November 2024. Brisbane-Sydney flights achieved a 93% load factor, highlighting high demand, while Perth-Sydney saw a 7.1% increase in capacity, reaching 163,560 seats by the year’s end.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Dean Long, CEO of ATIA, emphasized the strength of Australia’s travel resurgence:

“The latest data confirms that Australians’ appetite for international travel remains strong, with destinations like Japan, Indonesia, and the US seeing significant increases.”

“At the same time, inbound travel continues to strengthen, with China’s remarkable growth standing out. These figures underscore the resilience and vitality of our travel and tourism industry.”

“As always, we encourage travelers to book with an ATIA Accredited business to ensure a seamless and professional travel experience.”

Outlook for 2025: More Growth on the Horizon

With international and domestic travel on an upward trajectory, the Australian tourism industry is poised for even more significant expansion. As airlines increase capacity and new travel corridors open, experts predict further record-breaking numbers in 2025.

With strong economic tailwinds and an insatiable desire for global experiences, Australians are set to redefine the travel landscape in the years ahead.