WHY AUSSIES REFUSE TO GIVE UP THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAY, EVEN AS COSTS SOAR
If you've been quietly saving for a summer holiday while wincing at the price of everything, you are far from alone.
New research released on November 10 shows that most Australians would rather tighten their belts at home than give up their annual break.
The findings come from the latest Global Travel Confidence Index by travel insurer Allianz Partners, carried out by research company Ipsos.
A summer holiday is non-negotiable
The survey found that 58% of Australians plan to travel this summer.
Our friends across the Tasman are even keener, with 64% of New Zealanders planning a trip, the highest of the five countries surveyed.
Perhaps the most telling figure is how much we feel we need a break.
Some 82% of Australians said an annual holiday is important to them, and 79% said they desperately need one.
Allianz Partners Australia chief executive Chris McHugh summed it up neatly.
"Australians and New Zealanders refuse to give up their summer holidays," he said, according to the release.
Cutting back to get away
That doesn't mean we're ignoring the cost of living.
A whopping 81% of Australians said they were worried about rising costs.
Rather than cancelling plans, 70% said they were cutting back on non-essential spending so they could still afford to travel.
Around 59% said they were scaling back their plans, but still going.
Even so, Australians expect to spend an average of $4,991 on their holidays this summer, the highest of all the countries in the survey.
Interestingly, splashing out isn't the priority, with 65% saying they don't plan to spend more on luxury experiences.
Staying closer to home
For many of us, the best holiday might be just a few hours down the road.
Almost a third of Australians (32%) said they would prefer to travel within Australia this summer.
That's good news for coastal towns, country escapes and caravan parks, and it can also mean fewer long-haul flights and less time lost to jet lag.
Weather and safety on our minds
Our unpredictable summers are clearly weighing on travellers too.
More than half of Australians (59%) said they were concerned about environmental risks such as extreme weather, and 69% said they were factoring these risks into their plans.
Safety is another worry, with 65% of Australians concerned about issues such as crime, theft and scams while away.
Travel insurance: are you covered?
Around 63% of Australians said they planned to buy travel insurance for their summer trip.
That leaves just over one in five planning to travel without any cover at all.
Of those who do buy a policy, most said it was for peace of mind and protection against unexpected disruptions.
About 70% buy their insurance at the time of booking or soon afterwards, which can matter if something goes wrong before you leave.
As always, read the product disclosure statement carefully and check exactly what is and isn't included before you buy.
Practical tips for a stress-free summer holiday
Set a realistic budget early and include the extras, such as parking, meals, activities and souvenirs.
Be flexible with your dates if you can, as travelling midweek or just outside the school holidays can save a surprising amount.
If you're heading overseas, check the latest travel advice for your destination on the government's Smartraveller website and subscribe to updates.
For road trips, keep an eye on weather warnings and road closures, particularly during bushfire and storm season.
Share your itinerary with someone at home and keep digital and paper copies of important documents.
Finally, build in some genuine downtime, because the whole point of a summer break is to come home feeling rested.
The survey was conducted online by Ipsos between September 25 and October 9, 2026, and included 1,001 Australian adults among more than 6,000 people across five countries.
