HOLIDAYS BEAT HOMES & RETIREMENT AS AUSTRALIANS SAVE FOR HOLIDAYS

For nearly half the country, the big financial goal for 2026 isn’t a house deposit, an investment portfolio or even retirement. It’s a holiday.

New research from Money.com.au shows 46 per cent of Australians have listed travel among their top savings priorities for the year ahead, making it the second year in a row that holidays have topped the list.

That equates to around 10.2 million people actively putting money aside to get away.

The findings suggest that while cost-of-living pressures remain firmly in place, Australians are still determined to protect one thing: time away.

Travel ranked ahead of building an emergency fund, saving for retirement and buying a home, with far fewer people prioritising investing, renovations or paying off their mortgage faster 46% of Australians list travel.

Money.com.au finance expert Sean Callery says travel stands out because it still feels achievable, even when other financial milestones feel increasingly distant.

“Most people can realistically plan for, budget toward and genuinely look forward to an overseas trip within a year, so it’s no wonder it remains a strong priority for Australians, even as cost-of-living pressures continue,” he says.

According to the research, Australians spend an average of eight months saving for a holiday, underscoring that travel is no longer an impulse purchase but a deliberate financial goal.

Asia continues to rank as a favourite destination, offering what Callery describes as premium experiences without premium prices.

The data also points to a shift in how Australians, particularly younger generations, define success. Callery says travel is increasingly being valued in the same way traditional milestones once were.

“Holidays, cruises and even backpacking have become a new kind of life currency,” he says.

“Experiencing new places and cultures can hold similar value to traditional assets for Aussies in their 20s and 30s who often feel locked out of milestones like home ownership or starting a family”

Interestingly, Baby Boomers were the most likely generation to list saving for a holiday as a top goal this year, followed by Gen Z, Gen X and Millennials, suggesting the appetite for travel cuts across age groups.

The desire to travel is also playing out in real-world behaviour. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows short-term overseas trips increased by 9.2 per cent in the year to October 2025, with January, July and October emerging as peak travel months, in line with school holidays and popular international seasons.

Callery notes that timing remains one of the biggest opportunities for travellers looking to stretch their budget further, with off-peak trips often delivering better value.

As Australians plan for the year ahead, the message is clear: when budgets are tight and long-term goals feel out of reach, travel remains the reward many are still willing to save for.