AUSSIES KEEP HOLIDAY PLANS DESPITE COST OF LIVING PRESSURES

Holiday plans are still firmly on the agenda for Australians, with new research showing most are choosing to cut back elsewhere rather than give up travel altogether.

Despite global uncertainty, flight disruptions, and rising expenses, Australians are holding on to their holidays. Instead of cancelling, many are finding ways to make trips more affordable.

Research from iSelect shows more than half of those adjusting their plans are travelling in off-peak seasons (55%) or booking flights at less popular times (54%), while 39% are opting for budget airlines.

“This highlights how resourceful we are when it comes to travel, even under pressure from rising costs and global uncertainty,” said Sophie Ryan from iSelect.

Smarter ways to protect holiday plans

Australians are also rethinking accommodation, with one in four choosing to stay with friends or family to reduce costs.

Rather than abandoning trips, travellers are making calculated trade-offs to keep their holiday plans intact.

“We’re seeing a move towards travel trade-offs rather than going without a break, completely,” Ryan said.

Chinese tourism rebounds as holiday plans continue

At the same time, international travel is rebounding strongly. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that February recorded the highest number of Chinese visitors to Australia since the pandemic.

Chinese tourists accounted for 23.3 per cent of all arrivals during the month, driven in part by Lunar New Year travel.

“While international arrivals and departures were up overall in February, it’s clear the Lunar New Year provided a healthy boost for struggling businesses and tourism operators, at a time when they certainly needed it,” Ryan said.

A shift, not a slowdown

The message is clear. Holiday plans are not being abandoned; they are being reworked.

Australians are travelling differently, but the desire to take a break remains firmly intact.