New travel data reveals young Australians are keen to switch off their devices this summer while a record number of holidaymakers are bringing their pet this year.
Two thirds (66%) of Australian holidaymakers are considering a digital detox this summer, according to new data released today by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF), with Gen Z surprisingly the most eager to take a break from their phones and social media.
TTF’s annual Summer Travel Survey of 1,510 Australians reveals 76% of 18 – 25-year-olds are willing to do a digital detox this summer, compared with just 53% of 55 – 64-year-olds and just 49% of over-65s, suggesting older Australians are the most resistant to unplugging their devices.
TTF CEO Margy Osmond said Gen Z is leading a ‘switch-off summer’, choosing connection over constant connectivity.
“Young travellers are embracing the idea of being fully present on holiday this summer. They’re craving sunshine, quality time with friends and family and the chance to create proper memories, not endless scrolling,” she said.
“With the national conversation on screen time growing louder, Gen Z is showing that there’s increasing appetite for real experiences. And holidays are becoming the moment where they consciously step back from the noise of social media.”
The new survey also reveals more Australians plan to take their pet on holiday this summer than ever before – a record one in five Australians (20%), rising from 15% this time last year.
Ms Osmond said the surge in pet-inclusive travel is fantastic news for tourism, helping to support hotels, airlines and local destinations that cater to four-legged friends.
“Fewer Australians than ever before are leaving their pets behind this summer, particularly those aged 25 to 44, with many balancing family life, work and travel plans that allow their beloved animals to come along,” she said.
“With strong demand for new, pet-friendly flights over Christmas and New Years, as well as an increasing number of road trips with furry companions, pets are no longer just passengers, they’re full-on holidaymakers.”
The survey, commissioned from Pure Profile, collected responses from 27 November – 1 December, and also found:
- Travel is increasingly Australians’ top spending priority after essentials. It came out on top of all non-essential spending, ranked first by 27% of Australians, increasing from 25% two years ago.
- 74% of Australians are planning to go on a holiday this summer, including 34% within their own state. While 25% will travel interstate and 15% will travel overseas.
- The most popular destinations across Australia are the Gold Coast (11%), Sydney (10%), Melbourne (9%), Sunshine Coast (6%), Brisbane (5%), Coffs Harbour/NSW Mid-North Coast (4%) and NSW South Coast (3%).
- The most popular overseas destinations are New Zealand, Europe, Japan, USA, Indonesia and Thailand.
- More than half of Australians (54%) admit cost-of-living pressures have impacted their summer travel plans, with financial pressures on households failing to ease since last year.
- Most people are responding to cost-of-living pressures by taking shorter trips, with most planning to holiday for seven days or less. While others are waiting for last-minute travel deals and discounts or travelling domestically instead of overseas to save money.
- 81% of holidaymakers expect to spend the same or more than last summer during their time away. Most holidaymakers (75%) plan to spend less than $5000 on their summer trip, while 18% expect to spend between $5000 – $10,000.
- Most departures will occur in early January and the week before Christmas, with most holidaymakers going away for less than a week (54%). While 31% plan to go away for one to two weeks and 14% for more than two weeks.