Domestic holiday intention also remains unchanged, with 54% of Australians in the June 2012 quarter intending to take a domestic holiday on their next holiday. Melbourne (7%) and Sydney (5%) have shown an increase in intention compared to the same time last year.
The percentage of Australians intending to go overseas for their next holiday is at 9% in the June 2012 quarter, down marginally from 10% in the same period last year, but still higher than five years ago.
Intention to take a holiday in the next 12 months
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Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (June 2007 – June 2012, average sample per quarter n=4,919). N.B. A small percentage of holiday intenders cannot nominate where they will be going on their next holiday. As a result, the percentages shown as intending to go overseas or domestic on their next holiday do not add to the total intenders.
Jane Ianniello, International Director of Tourism, Travel & Leisure, Roy Morgan Research, says:
“Despite recent interest rate cuts, holiday intention has not increased compared to the same time last year; and at 67% has declined from its historic high of 72% in January. Many Australians are worried about their financial security and cautious about spending.
“Melbourne and Sydney are the stand out performers in terms of holiday intention, with an increasing number of Australians seeking a short break experience in a cosmopolitan setting.
“New Zealand, UK and United States are the most popular overseas destinations, with their holiday intention holding steady.
“The challenge for the tourism industry is to understand and engage with those Australians who can afford to travel and are optimistic about the future. They are not the young under-30s, or the struggling families, or older pensioners; they are the more affluent ‘Socially Aware’ and ‘Visible Achievement’ [1] who are also likely to be ‘Trusted Advisors’ - those whose opinions are sought by others about travel destinations and experiences.”