01
November
2020
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01:40
Europe/Amsterdam

New Booking.com research reveals the Trans-Tasman love of cricket and summer holidays as travel restrictions ease

  • Over two thirds of Kiwi (67%) and Aussie (64%) sport fans agree that cricket is something they look forward to doing the most in their summer holidays
  • The love for the game will see us travel again in 2022. 69% Kiwis and 62% Aussies say that they would travel with their family to watch a cricket World Cup match
  • 81% of respondents in both Australia and New Zealand agree that playing cricket is a quintessential part of their summer holiday experience - for some even more important than finally catching up with mates for a post-lockdown BBQ

 

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 01 NOVEMBER 2021 - As Australia and New Zealand play on at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, Booking.com, the official Accommodation Booking Partner for the tournament, has released new research revealing what ANZ sport fans feel about cricket and its connection to summer travel. 

With travel restrictions continuing to ease throughout Australia, and New Zealand optimistic about travel in 2022, the research highlights how eager these nations are to get outdoors and bat their summer holidays for six again. Over two thirds of Kiwi (67%) and Aussie (64%) sport fans agree that cricket is something they look forward to doing the most in their summer holidays, taking precedence over even getting the BBQ out with mates post-lockdowns. 

Cricket is one of the top 5 activities Kiwi and Aussie sport fans are looking forward to this summer:

  1. Going to the beach – 50% (NZ), 56% (AU)
  2. Traveling and exploring different parts of my home country again - 46% (NZ), 46% (AU), 
  3. Catching up with friends over some drinks – 45% (NZ), 46% (AU),
  4. Going to cricket match - 41% (NZ), 42% (AU)
  5. Barbequing at a holiday home / beach – 40% (NZ), 36% (AU)

Conducted with over 1631 Australian and New Zealand sport fans, the research highlights attitudes towards cricket and travel preferences, as well as how the traditional Trans-Tasman, England and India rivalries play a part in the love and celebration of the sport.

Cricket and Summer Travel 

According to the research, an overwhelming majority of Kiwi and Aussie sport fans (both 81% of ANZ respondents) agree that playing cricket is a quintessential part of their summer holiday experience.

Given this love for the game, and how sporting events have created travel recovery moments in the past months, the research highlights how this year’s ICC in the UAE followed by the 2022 Womens and Mens tournaments to be held across Australia and New Zealand in 2022 will support the region’s travel resurgence. 

It’s heartening to know the love for a game will see us travel again in 2022. 69% of Kiwi and 62% of Aussie sport fans say that they would travel with their family to watch a cricket World Cup. And such is the love for the game that a substantial percentage of people also say that they are likely to travel to a destination for cricket even if it is not in their travel bucket list – 59% (NZ), 54% (AU). 

Cricket Passions and Rivalries 

Central to their wider cricket viewing and playing experience, the respondents said cricket as a game not only unites, but also is integral to who we are. Perhaps it is this sense of nostalgia and emotional connection with our summer holiday experience that go beyond cricket team rivalries - close to 7 in 10 say that they are likely to watch a cricket match with someone who is supporting a rival team Aussies (68%) and Kiwis (68%). 

The passion runs deep for our cricket loving nations, with the research highlighting surprising attitudes toward making plans to see a game: 

  • 60% of Kiwi and 59% of Aussie sport fans say that they are the most passionate cricket fans in the world
  • More than half (53%) of Kiwi sport fans are likely to take unpaid leave from office to watch a live Australia versus New Zealand match 
  • Moreover, 51% of Kiwi sport fans say that they would cancel a pre planned catch up with friends to watch a key rival match and 50% say that they would call in sick at work when their favourite team is playing
  • 44% of Aussie sport fans are likely to take unpaid leave from office to watch a live Australia versus New Zealand match and a similar number of Aussies are likely to cancel pre planned catch up with friends to watch a key rival match

 

What Legendary Rivals Say

To provide further credence into how deep our nation's cricket rivalries run, Booking.com spoke to former cricketers, Mitchell Johnson (AU) and Ross Taylor (NZ), to get their perspective: 

Mitchell Johnson said “Cricket and travel are a quintessential part of an Aussie summer. Whether you’re playing in your backyard, watching with mates, or even travelling somewhere to watch it live, it doesn’t get any better than watching two rival teams battle to be the best. It’s a sport known to bring people together, and what better time to come together than as we start to open up and travel again.” 

Ross Taylor said “Cricket has been enjoyed by generations of Kiwis, whether watching a match together or picking up a bat for a game in the backyard. Whether it’s playing against your mates or family, or getting together to watch a game of cricket on TV or in person at a stadium, the friendly rivalry of the game is something I’m sure many Kiwis are looking forward to as we hopefully reunite with family and friends this summer.

To listen to what Mitchell and Ross said head here

For the full research and infographic click here

Booking.com is the Official Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner for all ICC events. 

With a mission to empower people to experience the world (when safe to do so) and 28 million total reported listings in over 153,000 destinations worldwide, including everywhere ICC events are taking place, Booking.com is in a unique position to facilitate incredible cricket-inspired travel experiences for fans across the globe. 

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*Note to editors:

Research commissioned  by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 1631 sport fans and travellers from India, Australia and New Zealand. 

About Booking.com

Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world whenever it’s safe to do so again. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay - from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 28 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.6 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.

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