Australians are traveling in record numbers, with destinations like Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia showing significant growth in 2024. According to the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) December Travel Trends report, which analyzes data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Department of Infrastructure, 1.66 million Australians traveled internationally in October 2024, marking a 12.1% increase from the same month in 2023.
Top-Growth Destinations
Japan: With an impressive 73.8% year-on-year growth, Japan has seen 567,330 Australian travelers as of October 2024, compared to the same period the previous year.
Vietnam: Vietnam’s growth was also notable, with a 35.4% increase, bringing the total number of Australian visitors to 423,630.
Indonesia: Indonesia remains the top destination by total travelers, with 1.64 million Australians visiting, a 26% rise from last year.
Other destinations seeing significant growth include New Zealand (up 8.2%, 1.34 million Australians), and the USA (up 13%, 732,490 Australians).
Travel Trends and Preferences
Leisure travel is the major driver, accounting for 63.6% of Australians’ trips. Additionally, 24% of Australians traveled to visit friends and relatives, while 5% were on business trips. The surge in travel to emerging destinations highlights shifting preferences, with Australians increasingly drawn to markets like Vietnam and Indonesia.
Inbound Travel to Australia
On the inbound front, China has shown the fastest growth in terms of visitors to Australia, with a 96.6% year-on-year increase. South Korea has slightly overtaken Japan in terms of visitors, with both markets seeing nearly 50% growth.
ATIA’s Director of Membership and Industry Affairs, Richard Taylor, commented on the record-breaking growth, particularly the 73.8% surge in Japan travel. He emphasized the increasing demand for leisure travel and highlighted the importance of using ATIA-accredited businesses to ensure a seamless travel experience.
This data reflects a strong appetite for travel among Australians, especially to emerging markets in Asia. As Australians continue to explore new and exciting destinations, travel trends suggest that these regions will remain popular for the foreseeable future.
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