The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys.
Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per cent of travellers planning their next trip there. Asia follows at 40 per cent, with New Zealand and the USA at 25 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.
The study indicates that many travellers are deal-focused, with over half saying that attractive promotions and discounts will motivate them to book.
Now is a crucial time for agents to finalise bookings, as the majority of those planning are looking to book within the next three months (54 per cent).
The Appeal of Guided Tours
The research also highlights a growing interest in guided tours, with 14 per cent of those planning trips considering this option—roughly 1.2 million Australians. This is comparable to the percentage interested in cruises or all-inclusive resorts, both at 20 per cent.
Toni Ambler, TTC Tour Brands managing director comments: “The data suggests that Australians are increasingly planning their international travel at the last minute, with September being a popular choice. Europe remains a hot destination, and travellers are more likely to book when they find good deals and promotions.”
Guided tours offer not just unique experiences but also significant savings. We crunched the numbers and found that guests can save between 20-30 per cent on a European holiday with TTC Tour Brands than on fully independent travel. We believe this could go some way to explain why interest in guided tours has been growing year over year.
We also have an insightful tool on the Costsaver website to aid the travel research process and further support why it makes more (dollars and) sense to go guided with TTC Tour Brands.”
Responding to these market insights, and travel intent, TTC Tour Brands have launched a September on Sale campaign with up to 15 per cent off Insight Vacations, Trafalgar and Costsaver until 30th May, with some great deals to snap up all with just a $200** deposit.
Next-gen clients can also still get that trip secured to join the Europe summer buzz this year with some hot last minute departure savings of up to 30 per cent** off a series of ‘Hot Dates’ with updated departures released weekly.
From the research, TTC Tour Brands can release the following insights from travellers still planning their 2024 travel:
Key travel months are August through to October, with September having the highest travel intent
· Most Aussies (71 per cent) plan to travel between August and October, with September having the highest intent of 28 per cent, followed by October with 23 per cent, and August with 20 per cent.
· Over half (54 per cent) plan to book their travel within the next 1-3 months.
Good value and flexibility are key to consumers booking travel
· Finances are of concern right now with 35 pe cent of travel intenders stating they’re unsure of their financial situation (38 per cent) as a barrier to booking.
· As a result, ‘Good value for money’ (60 per cent) is the primary motivator for booking, followed by discounts and promotions (52 per cent), ‘flexible booking change and/or flexible cancellation policies’ (38 per cent* is also an appealing motivator.
Travel agents can login to the TTC’s Travel Agent Platform (TAP) to access current offers and make bookings at agents.ttc.com.
