Aussies Are ‘Over’ Popular Overseas Destinations – Here's Where They're Going Now
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Australians are known for being intrepid travellers, and it seems that we're wasting no time in getting back out there now that international borders are open again. But there's one surprising destination that many seem to be avoiding: Europe.
Virgin Australia's figures show that in the past week, there have been more than 600,000 international searches from Australia, up 25.4 per cent compared to pre-Covid times. But of those searches, relatively few are for European destinations.
It was said that Bali is the most popular destination at the moment, amassing more than 90,000 searches in the last seven days, up by 24 per cent compared to three years ago.
Comparing the Bali queries to the search results for London — which had 40,000 searches in the same period — showed that Aussies are opting for destinations that are relatively closer to home.
Aside from the Indonesian beach destination, searches for Fiji were also on the rise, with a recorded 20,000 searches in the past week.
Bali is currently the most popular destination for most Australians who are looking to travel overseas. Credit: iStock.
Aussies are opting for trips closer to home because of the huge price difference. A return economy flight for a family of four from Sydney to Bali with Virgin costs $2312, compared to a whopping $6900 return flight with Qantas from Sydney to London.
Flying a family from Melbourne to Fiji return with Virgin costs $2336, which is 73 per cent cheaper than $8668 for a return flight with Qantas from Melbourne to Los Angeles.
And if you're looking to travel with your family and loved ones to Hawaii from Brisbane, a Jetstar flight will set you back $4272. But if you're looking for a real bargain, you can have a return trip with your family from Brisbane to Vanuatu with Virgin for just $1549.
Alistair Hartley, Virgin’s Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, said that the interest in leisure travel has skyrocketed "well over pre-Covid levels".
He explained: “We know people want to get out and explore Australia and the world, including the incredible destinations we have on our doorstep.”
“Right now people want to go anywhere with the sun. Prior to international borders opening domestic travellers were flocking to QLD, the sunshine state.”
Fiji is also proving to be a popular destination among Aussie travelers. Credit: news.com.au.
Airline executives are predicting that the current demand will translate to a positive outlook for travel in the coming months.
Mr Hartley said: “Fiji booking numbers are already in line with 2019 which is great to see and at the moment Bali’s bookings are coming in more than double that of 2019.”
“We’re seeing more and more destinations welcome back international travellers, and we’re seeing demand continue to increase."
“In response, we’ve announced a growing list of Short Haul International routes as well as some amazing partnerships with the likes of United Airways, Qatar Airlines, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada and Hawaiian Airlines and the list goes on.”
The airline executive also claimed that Virgin is looking into resuming services to both Vanuatu and Samoa.
So, for those of you who are looking to travel overseas, Mr Hartley has one piece of advice: "just book”.
“Go ahead and lock in that trip. There has never been a better time to have great holidays at great value,” he quipped.
“We’re focused on value and choice for travellers, this means offering the best value in the market with some of our airfares almost 70 per cent cheaper than our competitors.”
“For example, we have an incredible sale on now with our Set Your Sights Overseas sale, including discounts of up to 30 per cent on offer for over 70,000 seats on all of Virgin Australia’s Short Haul International routes including routes to Bali, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji.”
It seems like the tourism industry is booming once again!
If you were to travel overseas, where would you most like to go? Share your travel ideas with us in the comments below!
Virgin Australia's figures show that in the past week, there have been more than 600,000 international searches from Australia, up 25.4 per cent compared to pre-Covid times. But of those searches, relatively few are for European destinations.
It was said that Bali is the most popular destination at the moment, amassing more than 90,000 searches in the last seven days, up by 24 per cent compared to three years ago.
Comparing the Bali queries to the search results for London — which had 40,000 searches in the same period — showed that Aussies are opting for destinations that are relatively closer to home.
Aside from the Indonesian beach destination, searches for Fiji were also on the rise, with a recorded 20,000 searches in the past week.
Bali is currently the most popular destination for most Australians who are looking to travel overseas. Credit: iStock.
Aussies are opting for trips closer to home because of the huge price difference. A return economy flight for a family of four from Sydney to Bali with Virgin costs $2312, compared to a whopping $6900 return flight with Qantas from Sydney to London.
Flying a family from Melbourne to Fiji return with Virgin costs $2336, which is 73 per cent cheaper than $8668 for a return flight with Qantas from Melbourne to Los Angeles.
And if you're looking to travel with your family and loved ones to Hawaii from Brisbane, a Jetstar flight will set you back $4272. But if you're looking for a real bargain, you can have a return trip with your family from Brisbane to Vanuatu with Virgin for just $1549.
Alistair Hartley, Virgin’s Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, said that the interest in leisure travel has skyrocketed "well over pre-Covid levels".
He explained: “We know people want to get out and explore Australia and the world, including the incredible destinations we have on our doorstep.”
“Right now people want to go anywhere with the sun. Prior to international borders opening domestic travellers were flocking to QLD, the sunshine state.”
Fiji is also proving to be a popular destination among Aussie travelers. Credit: news.com.au.
Airline executives are predicting that the current demand will translate to a positive outlook for travel in the coming months.
Mr Hartley said: “Fiji booking numbers are already in line with 2019 which is great to see and at the moment Bali’s bookings are coming in more than double that of 2019.”
“We’re seeing more and more destinations welcome back international travellers, and we’re seeing demand continue to increase."
“In response, we’ve announced a growing list of Short Haul International routes as well as some amazing partnerships with the likes of United Airways, Qatar Airlines, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada and Hawaiian Airlines and the list goes on.”
The airline executive also claimed that Virgin is looking into resuming services to both Vanuatu and Samoa.
So, for those of you who are looking to travel overseas, Mr Hartley has one piece of advice: "just book”.
“Go ahead and lock in that trip. There has never been a better time to have great holidays at great value,” he quipped.
“We’re focused on value and choice for travellers, this means offering the best value in the market with some of our airfares almost 70 per cent cheaper than our competitors.”
“For example, we have an incredible sale on now with our Set Your Sights Overseas sale, including discounts of up to 30 per cent on offer for over 70,000 seats on all of Virgin Australia’s Short Haul International routes including routes to Bali, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji.”
It seems like the tourism industry is booming once again!
If you were to travel overseas, where would you most like to go? Share your travel ideas with us in the comments below!
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