Japan attracted the largest year-on-year growth in Australian visitors for October, the ATIA says. Picture: stock
JAPAN, Vietnam and Indonesia are the top trending destinations for Australians heading off on overseas visits.
The countries were identified in an Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) monthly travel trends report using government data and inhouse analysis.
ATIA says that during October,1.66 million Australians headed overseas, a 12.1 per cent increase on the same month last year.
Japan recorded a 73.8 per cent year-on-year growth (567,330 Australians), Vietnam was up 35.4 per cent (423,630) and Indonesia was up 26 per cent (1,644,010).
The ATIA report says that in terms of total outbound visitor numbers, Indonesia remained the top destination of choice then New Zealand at 1,344,150 (up 8.2 per cent) and the US at 732,490 (up 13 per cent).
Several overseas airlines have resumed or introduced services to Australia including Turkish Airlines (which now flies into Melbourne and Sydney), American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
ATIA Director of Membership and Industry Affairs Richard Taylor describes the growth as “unprecedented”.
“Japan’s year-on-year surge is phenomenal while Vietnam and Indonesia continue to rise … these figures highlight the evolving preferences of Australian travellers,” he says.
“Leisure travel is driving this surge … (with a) strong focus on reconnecting with friends and family.”
ATIS says 63.6 per cent of Australians travelling in the year up to October 2024 were on holiday with 24 per cent visiting friends and relatives and 5 per cent on business.
For the inbound market, China is the source of the fastest growing number of visitors with a 96.6 per cent increase on last year.
Visitors from South Korea slightly overtook Japan with both showing near 50 per cent growth on last year.
The ATIA is the peak body representing Australia’s $69 billion travel industry. It represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.
