ATIA flags surge in international travel by Australians and comments on Traveldream collapse

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has flagged the surge of Australians turning to Asia for travel, with Japan, China, and Vietnam seeing the strongest growth as international destinations. ATIA has also commented on reports of the collapse of travel agency, Traveldream.

 The Australian Travel Industry Association’s (ATIA) May 2025 Travel Trends Report, which draws from ABS and Department of Infrastructure data, shows international travel by Australians surged to 11.97 million trips for the year ending March 2025, up from 10.54 million the year prior. Japan led the way with a 38.4% year-on-year increase, followed by China (+35.0%) and Vietnam (+26.2%), underscoring a clear pivot toward the Asia-Pacific region.

Indonesia (predominantly Bali) remained the most visited outbound destination for Australians, with 1.71 million travellers, an 18% increase year-on-year. January 2025 recorded the highest monthly departures (1.54 million), while April posted the strongest year-on-year growth (+28.5%), driven by school holidays and the Easter break.

Inbound travel also continued its recovery, with 8.31 million international visitors arriving in Australia for the year ending March 2025, up from 7.78 million the previous year. China led the growth with a 25.6% increase, reaching 920,700 visitors, followed by Japan (+16.3%) and India (+9.6%). New Zealand maintained its position as Australia’s top source market with 1.37 million visitors.

ATIA Chief Executive Dean Long advised “Australians are travelling abroad in record numbers, particularly across Asia, with Japan and Indonesia continuing to be standout favourites.”

“Equally encouraging is the rebound in inbound travel, led by China, Japan and India, markets that are critical for Australia’s tourism economy.”

“These trends highlight the need for a competitive and reliable aviation and travel sector to support continued growth.”

“We continue to urge Australians to book with ATIA Accredited travel businesses to ensure confidence, security, and expert service.”

Traveldream Collapse
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is aware of reports of the collapse of travel agency, Traveldream. com. au, with ATIA noting “this unfortunate situation serves as a timely reminder of the importance of booking travel only with an ATIA Accredited business. ATIA Accredited travel businesses must meet stringent financial and professional standards, including mandatory experience and qualifications for front-line staff.   

Accreditation is reviewed annually, reinforcing a business’s ongoing commitment to consumer protection and industry best practice.”  

Media has reported a number of Australians have had their dream holidays ruined after travel agency Traveldream collapsed.

At the end of last month Traveldream, which operates as an online travel agency, plunged into administration.

According to news. com, the business ceased trading immediately on 28th April.

Bill Karageozis of insolvency firm Mcleods has been appointed administratorand revealed that so far 75 creditors have come forward but the administrator expects there may be as many as 100 creditors for the company which was registered as Australian Travel Deals Pty Ltd, but traded under the name Traveldream.

As ATIA highlight -not every business meets high professional standards with 16% of applicants rejected for failing to satisfy the rigorous accreditation criteria.  

Traveldream. com. au had its accreditation cancelled in March 2020 and has not been part of the ATIA Accredited program since that time.  

Consumers are strongly encouraged to always check a travel business’s accreditation status and to look for the ATIA Accredited logo when booking. If a business is not accredited, consumers should ask why.  

Long emphasised “It is critical that travellers only book through an ATIA Accredited travel business. Accreditation is the best way to ensure you are dealing with a trusted, professional, and financially sound operator. If a business is not accredited, you should ask why.”

For the latest list of accredited travel businesses and advice for consumers, visit www.atas.com.au.  

Image. Traveldream FB page for customers