Australians shrug off cost-of-living squeeze as hotel bookings surge.
There is an old saying in tourism that travellers will give up almost anything before they give up their holiday.
The latest figures from SiteMinder suggest Australians are proving that theory yet again.
At a time when dinner conversations seem permanently dominated by mortgage rates, grocery bills and the price of a decent cup of coffee, Australians are still finding room in the household budget for a getaway. Not only are they travelling, they are booking further ahead, staying longer and paying more for their accommodation.
If that’s a contradiction, it’s a remarkably Australian one.
New data released by SiteMinder, the world’s leading hotel commerce platform, shows accommodation demand across Australia remains stubbornly strong heading into the second half of 2026.
The company’s Mid-Year Hotel Booking Trends Report forecasts Australian hotel reservations between June and September will rise 5.6 per cent compared with the same period last year. That places Australia among the strongest-performing accommodation markets in Asia-Pacific, trailing only Taiwan and New Zealand.
For hoteliers, that’s the sort of news that goes down better than a complimentary breakfast upgrade.
What’s particularly interesting is not simply that demand is growing. It’s how Australians are travelling.
The report reveals travellers are becoming increasingly organised. Average booking lead times have stretched to 160 days, meaning many guests are locking in accommodation more than five months before they arrive.
That gives Australia the longest booking window anywhere in the Asia-Pacific region.
In an era famous for spontaneity, Australians appear to be behaving more like military strategists than holidaymakers.
At the same time, guests are lingering a little longer once they arrive. The average stay has nudged upwards from 2.17 nights to 2.18 nights.
It may sound microscopic, but across millions of bookings, even tiny movements can translate into substantial gains for accommodation providers.
According to Bradley Haines, Regional Vice President of Asia Pacific at SiteMinder, travellers are becoming increasingly deliberate in how they plan and spend.
“The appetite for travel to and within Australia remains strong, even amid economic headwinds,” said Haines.
“What we’re seeing is a more deliberate traveller, one who is booking earlier, committing to longer stays and placing a greater value on experiences. For accommodation providers, that creates greater certainty around future occupancy and supports stronger revenue planning.”
The biggest story, however, remains domestic travel.
While international tourism continues rebuilding across Asia-Pacific, Australians continue to show a remarkable affection for their own backyard.
Domestic travellers now account for 84 per cent of all Australian hotel bookings, up from 81.8 per cent a year ago.
Australia not only recorded the highest domestic booking share in the region but also delivered the strongest annual growth in local bookings.
For regional destinations, that’s music to the ears.
From winery weekends and coastal escapes to country retreats and interstate city breaks, Australians continue rediscovering destinations that sit just a short flight—or a tank of petrol—away.
“The strength of domestic travel continues to be one of the defining characteristics of Australia’s accommodation market,” Haines said.
“Local guests continue to prioritise experiences, regional destinations and interstate getaways. Domestic travellers remain the backbone of the country’s hotel sector.”
Perhaps most remarkable is travellers’ willingness to spend.
Australia’s average daily hotel room rate has climbed from $369 to $388, a rise of 5.2 per cent year-on-year. It is now the highest average room rate anywhere in Asia-Pacific.
Put simply, Australians are not only travelling. They’re paying more for the privilege.
Cancellation rates have also edged higher, increasing from 17.65 per cent to 18.98 per cent. Yet Australia still boasts the second-lowest cancellation rate in the region, behind only New Zealand.
For hoteliers, that remains a reassuring signal that demand is largely holding firm.
The broader message from the report is unmistakable.
Economic uncertainty may dominate headlines, but it has yet to derail Australia’s love affair with travel.
Australians may think twice before buying a new television, upgrading the car or splurging on luxury goods.
But cancelling a holiday?
That still appears to be a bridge too far.
For the nation’s accommodation sector, that’s a welcome reality—and one that suggests Australia’s tourism resilience remains very much alive.
For further information, read the complete report here: SiteMinder Mid-Year Hotel Booking Trends Report.
By: Susan Ng – © 2026.
Read Time: 4 Minutes.
About the Author.
With the polish of an international hotel professional and the instincts of a born storyteller, Susan Ng learned hospitality where it truly lives behind reception desks, in banquet halls, beside linen carts. She understands that excellence isn’t announced; it’s felt, in the small, quiet gestures that linger long after checkout.
Away from the bustle, her curiosity found a new front desk: the blank page. Her blog, candid and gently wry, drew readers who recognised truth when they saw it. She wrote about grace and imperfection with the steady eye of someone who had lived both.
Today, at Global Travel Media, Susan brings that same warmth and insight to her stories. Expect writing that is polished, generous, and reassuring, like the perfect welcome after a long journey.
