Survey shows Australians’ Easter travel spend will increase by $2 billion

A survey conducted by the Australian Retailers Association in collaboration with Roy Morgan Australian shows that Australian holidaymakers are set to spend more than $9.1 billion on travel this year, up $2 billion on Easter 2022 (up 28%), as the tourism industry experiences a resurgence after years of crippling lockdowns and restrictions.

The research reveals approximately 4.6 million Australians (21% of the population aged 18+) plan on taking a holiday over the Easter period – 550,000 more than a year ago.

The average spend on Easter holidays is tipped to be $1,920 – up $160 or 9% on 2022.

Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Chief Executive Paul Zahra said many Australians were looking to take a much-needed break – some for the first time in over three years and noted “while our borders have been reopened for some time, we’re starting to see the cost of travel stabilise – which is potentially prompting a lot of families to plan their first getaways in some time this Easter. This will be music to the ears of travel retailers, particularly in our major airports.

“Aussies are now booking holidays with more confidence – a significant barrier before was the fear of being stranded due to illness or isolation as well as elevated travel costs.

“Whilst about 28% of the travel spend is being directed overseas, the majority of travel spend will be local – more than 90% of the Australians who are holidaying are travelling domestically, so we’re retaining a good portion of this economic stimulation.

“Local retailers in popular holiday destinations will reap the benefits of the resurgence in domestic tourism this year.”

Highlights from the research includes:

• Of the Australians going away this Easter, 61% will travel within their own state, 30% will go interstate and 9% overseas.

• Those aged 18-34 are set to spend an average of $1,504 on their Easter holidays and a total of $2.9 billion overall – more than any other age group. The higher overall spend is due to the size of this age group set to go on Easter holidays, at 1.8 million – far higher than any other age group.

• The most spent on holidays are by those aged 65+ at an average cost of $2,708. This is mainly due to the average length of their holidays being over 11 nights – longer than any other age group.

• Australians planning an Easter holiday are set to spend around $6.5 billion on domestic holidays – either in-state or interstate, up around $100 million on a year ago.

The ARA, in conjunction with Roy Morgan, this week also revealed Australians are tipped to spend almost $1.7 billion on hot cross buns, easter eggs or other special food for Easter this year- $200 million more than the previous Easter (up 14.5%).

The ARA-Roy Morgan Snap SMS survey was conducted from 10th to 15th March 2023.

Image. Ballina Killen WaterFall Credit: Destination NSW