Australia & New Zealand Tourism Statistics 2023

With the global travel restrictions gradually easing, the year 2022 witnessed a reset for the travel and tourism industry in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Both countries have welcomed tourists back, eagerly embracing the return of travellers and reinvigorating their local economies. As we look ahead to 2023 and beyond, it is evident that people’s perceptions and travel habits in these regions have undergone a significant shift.

In this article, we’ll dive into the key travel and tourism trends that will shape the industry in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. These statistics serve as a valuable resource for tour and activity operators in these countries, providing insights to adapt their businesses to the latest trends specific to the local market. From travel intentions and behaviours to preferences and emerging technologies, understanding these trends will empower industry professionals to meet the evolving needs and desires of travellers in Australia and New Zealand.

The tourism and travel statistics below were gathered from a survey conducted by Rezdy.

1. Travel intentions and behaviours

Discover the latest trends in travel intentions and behaviours that have shaped the industry in recent times. Gain insights into the shifting preferences of travellers, their booking habits, and the factors influencing their travel decisions such as the impact of cost of living pressures and willingness to spend more on experiences.

By understanding these trends, operators can tailor their offerings to align with the evolving needs and preferences of ANZ travellers.

ANZ tourism trends

Travel plans and bookings:

90% of Australians plan to travel domestically or internationally in 2023 (Travel Weekly)
Over 50% of Australians are planning to take a holiday in the next three months, but 52% haven’t booked anything yet (News Corp)
32% of travellers booked more than seven months in advance, compared to 20% the previous year (News Corp)
56.86% plan on travelling to a country they haven’t visited before (Travel Weekly)
58% of respondents say their travel plans remain the same despite the cost of living pressures (Travel Weekly)
60% of respondents are willing to spend more on experiences while on holiday (Travel Weekly)
1 in 4 Gen Zers are looking for a bucket-list type holiday. The value of experts and great service is in high demand since Gen Zers are planning to “go all out”. That means a significant opportunity to build loyalty, particularly with younger travel segments (News Corp)
1 in 4 consumers are planning the same number of holidays in 2023 as in 2022 (Skyscanner AU)
46% are thinking of going on more trips next year (Skyscanner AU)
69% plan to spend the same or more on travel abroad in 2023 (Skyscanner AU)
46% of Australians plan to splash the cash to make sure every experience while travelling is the absolute ultimate (Finder)
75% of travellers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are keen to travel as much as possible in the near future and search interest in “international accommodation” are rising by 144% in Australia and 181% in New Zealand (Think with Google)
48% of people said social media influences where they go next (Skyscanner AU)
The preferred platforms among Australians include Booking Holdings Network (37%), TripAdvisor (27%), Virgin Travel and Tourism (20%), and Expedia (15%) for travel packages (Nielsen)

Influence of streaming services:

69% of Australians have considered and 29% have booked trips to destinations after seeing them on streamed shows or movies (Expedia Travel Trends)
26% of Australians say the influence of streaming services on their travel plans has increased in the last 12 months (Expedia Travel Trends)
61% of Kiwis have considered booking a trip to a destination after seeing it in a streamed movie or show, while 21% have already booked (Expedia)
20% of Kiwis said the influence of streaming services on their travel plans had increased over the last 12 months (Expedia)\
Set-jetters/Binge tourism: over two-thirds (69%) of Australians consider and book trips to destinations after seeing them on streamed shows or movies (TheLatch)

2. Inbound and outbound travel

Australia’s biggest percentage of inbound travellers come from:

United Kingdom
United States
New Zealand
India
Singapore

(Think with Google)

Australia’s popular outbound destinations in 2023:

Indonesia
United States
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Thailand

(Think with Google)

Emerging destinations from Australia for families and couples:

Mumbai, India (107% increase in searches)
Kathmandu, Nepal (79% increase in searches)
Los Angeles, USA (57% increase in searches)
Istanbul, Turkey (48% increase in searches)
Manila, Philippines (48% increase in searches)
New Delhi, India (47% increase in searches)
Manchester, UK (40% increase in searches)
Hamburg, Germany (38% increase in searches)
Cairo, Egypt (22% increase in searches)

(Skyscanner AU)

Australia New Zealand tourism trends

3. Travel and tourism preferences

Explore the emerging preferences and trends that are reshaping the travel industry. From the rise of experiential tourism to the growing demand for sustainable and immersive travel experiences, understanding these preferences will help operators adapt their offerings to cater to the changing expectations of travellers. By keeping up with the latest trends, operators can enhance their market positioning and attract a broader range of customers.

Tourism preferences

The most popular tourism trends for ANZ travellers are:

Food tourism – 63.59% (Travel Weekly)
Wellness tourism – 46.42% (Travel Weekly)
Sustainable travel -29.53% (Travel Weekly)
Off-grid – 60% (Traveloffpath)
Nostalgic getaways – 90% (Traveloffpath)

Sustainable tourism

1 in 4 (28%) global respondents said travel-related sustainability is more important to them now compared to pre-pandemic (Skyscanner AU)
Sustainability concerns are taking a backseat in light of wider global issues like the impending economic crisis. However, 54% think it will improve in the next 6 months, compared to 27% of consumers in the rest of the world (ROW) (GWI)

Solo travel

45% of Australian travellers are looking to travel solo next year (Skyscanner AU)
Virtuoso recently reported that among its travellers aged 65+, interest in single travel went from 4% in 2019 to 1% in 2022. (Veranda)

3. Technology trends

Metaverse: A new kind of travel agent that allows travellers to explore a destination before arrival or relive the holiday experience afterwards (Thenewdaily)
Mobile booking and online marketplaces are projected to triple in market share by 2025 (TTR Weekly)
Use of biometric technology for payments (Thenewdaily)

As Australia and New Zealand embark on the optimistic journey of travel recovery, understanding the prevailing trends within their own travel landscapes becomes crucial for industry professionals. These statistics paint a vivid picture of the evolving travel intentions, preferences, and market dynamics specifically in Australia and New Zealand for 2023.

With this information and understanding of the current ANZ market, tour and activity operators can adapt their offerings, marketing strategies, and technological advancements to meet the distinct needs of local travellers. By embracing these trends and catering to the specific preferences of their market, businesses can position themselves as industry leaders and provide unforgettable experiences to the new generation of inbound and outbound travellers in Australia and New Zealand.

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