Nearly three quarters of Australians are travelling for a holiday this winter – an increase since Easter – though many are shortening their trips to save money as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise, according to new data from the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

The national survey of 1,500 Australians, conducted by Pure Profile, reveals Australians’ travel plans from 1 June – 31 August 2024, including:

• 74% of Australians are going on a holiday this winter, up from 70% in autumn. This includes 34% who are holidaying in their own state or territory and 26% who are heading interstate. 14% will holiday overseas this winter, up from 8% in autumn.

• However, 56% of Australians say cost-of-living pressures are impacting their travel plans in some capacity, up from 53% in autumn, with most holidaying for seven days or less and planning to spend less than $5000.

• For those impacted, 23% are shortening their trip, 11% will stay with family or friends, 10% will holiday locally instead of overseas to save money, 8% will holiday in their own state to save money and 7% will be spending less on activities during their stay.

• The most popular state for Australians to visit this winter will be NSW, followed by QLD then VIC and WA. The top city will be Sydney, then Melbourne and Brisbane. Popular regional areas will be the Gold Coast, followed by Sunshine Coast, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula, then NSW Far North Coast, Snowy Mountains, South Coast and Newcastle.

• The most popular overseas holiday destinations this winter will be Europe, then New Zealand, Japan, USA, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

• The #1 financial strain this winter is interest rates/mortgage repayments, followed by food and grocery prices, then rental payments.

• The #1 non-essential spending priority is holidays/travel (by 23% of Australians), followed by personal care/make-up/skincare (19%) and gifts for others (14%).

TTF CEO Margy Osmond said it’s great to see more Australians supporting local tourism operators, despite cost-of-living pressures persisting.

“These figures show the desire to travel is still strong, even as more Australians feel the pinch to their hip pockets this winter. While it’s fantastic to see so many Aussies planning to holiday locally, the tourism sector is still feeling the impact of cost-of-living pressures among other challenges,” Ms Osmond said.

“We’re concerned many Aussies are shortening their holidays or staying with friends or relatives to save money, at a time when international visitor levels have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels.”

However, Ms Osmond welcomed the figures showing one in four Australians will visit an art gallery, museum or cultural event this winter.

“It’s wonderful to see so many Australians are planning to attend an art gallery or major music, cultural or sporting event this winter, with the appetite for unique experiences increasing. This reinforces the need to continue to invest in our arts, entertainment and tourism sectors around the country and the thousands of Australians they employ,” she said.

ENDS