Summer travel is coming - New Booking.com data shows where Aussies are hoping to travel once vax thresholds are reached
As states across Australia begin to reach vaccine thresholds for opening up again and the prospect of travel when safe to do so creeps closer, the possibilities of having a destination holiday over the Summer and Christmas periods are starting to become a reality.
Booking.com’s Back to Travel report shows 61% of Aussies say travel is more important to them now than it was before the pandemic, and with vaccine passports in the making, Aussies will be able to reunite with loved ones and explore our beautiful country once again this summer.
To help travellers prepare for overseas travel again safely, Aussies are willing to roll up their sleeves, with two-thirds (67%) of travellers willing to accept only being able to travel if they could prove they have been vaccinated. Meanwhile 69% would accept having to wear a face mask when traveling, with 64% going as far as supporting a ‘no mask no travel’ ban (unless exempt).
The most recent search data from Booking.com has revealed where Aussies are looking to travel to first in late October as we reach double dose vaccine thresholds. Searches for dates during the month have peaked for Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania with those states still able to travel for school holidays and sporting events creating a surge in demand. .
Additionally, for the first time since the delta outbreak began, international destinations are back on Australians search lists with Greater London and Bali now featuring in the top ten regional destinations searched (states or countries).
Top 10 Most Searched Domestic Destinations* by Australian users
- Gold Coast
- Perth
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- Cairns
- Noosa Heads
- Darwin
- Airlie Beach
- Hervey Bay
- Mooloolaba
Top 10 Most Searched Global Regions** by Australian users
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory
- Greater London
- Bali
Booking.com Area Manager for Australia, Melissa Ellison, said
“With Aussies racing towards vaccine thresholds ready to open up, Booking.com remains more optimistic that sooner rather than later, everyone may once again be able to travel and experience the Australian summer together.
Our data shows our exploratory appetite and desire to get back to travel as soon as possible remains strong and we’re expecting a very busy travel period over Christmas and NYE. It’s reassuring to see that after a year of unpredictable events, from outbreaks to earthquakes, Aussies have high hopes to return to not just domestic but international travel soon too.
With our mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, when the time is right to discover the places, cultures and experiences we’ve all been dreaming of, we will make sure you can find them on Booking.com.”
***
*Top searches per nationality during the month of September 2021, looking only at searches that had check-in dates during the months of October 2021. These rankings were compared to searches with the same check in range the month prior.
**Top searches per global regions during the month of September 2021, looking only at searches that had check-in dates during the months of October 2021. These rankings were compared to searches with the same check in range the month prior.