Big reason why fewer Aussies travelling

Take a scroll through Instagram and it seems like almost everyone has fled Australia for a European summer.

Scantily clad travellers pose in cobblestone streets and share images of their authentic Italian pizza.

And while social media may be flooded with never-ending posts of holiday pictures, new data by banking giant NAB reveals fewer Aussies have been jetsetting this year.

According to the figures, as many as two in three Australians have either cancelled or postponed their travel recently.

A further 40 per cent of Australians – or four in 10 travellers – have scaled back their travel plans or decided to instead travel domestically.

The big reason for those travel plans being canned is the cost.

According to the data, the cost of post-Covid travel is simply too high amid cost of living pressure and hikes in travel costs.

NAB retail customer executive Tara Hartley said Australians were prioritising their spending and many had changed their plans this year.

“You could be forgiven for doom scrolling through social media in the depths of winter thinking everyone you know is overseas holidaying in the sun or the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean,” Ms Hartley said.

“While you might have some FOMO from travel pics, it might be reassuring to know you’re not the only one making sensible spending decisions, with data showing two-thirds of Australians have made changes to their plans due to rising costs.

“Just like grocery bills and filling up the car have become more expensive, Australians think holiday plans have become much harder to budget for and they’ve made considered changes to prioritise spending.

“They are making changes to their travel plans and they might be swapping the Mediterranean for Maroochydore or Bali for Burnie.”

The data comes off the back of surging international airline fares that have risen by more than 50 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.

Travel company Kayak reported in May that the average return economy fare from Australia was now $1827, up from $1213 in 2019.

Aviation analyst Tony Webber told The Guardian in May the increase in airfares was indirectly linked to an airline’s operating costs.

He said the rising airfares, including at Qantas, were most likely driven by customer demand and airline capacity.

Of those still travelling, the most popular destinations according to Kayak are London, Bali, Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles.

Comedian Andy Lee – of Hamish and Andy – and long-term partner Rebecca Harding shared photos in July of their Italian getaway.

Italy was popular among influencers in 2023, with many flocking to the country’s picture-perfect cities such as Venice and Rome.

Melbourne-based video creator Maskit Mati documented her trip across the southern European country on Instagram.

Other influencers and travellers favoured the Mediterranean locales, such as the city-state of Monaco.

Influencers Isabella Gray and Tammy Hembro shared photos from their European summer getaway to Instagram.

Fitness influencer Natasha Oakley even used a 2023 European summer to tie the knot.

She shared photos from her Italian wedding to Instagram in late-July.

Australia’s myriad celebrities were also among the flocks heading to Europe this winter.

Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky shared video of their own trip to Switzerland and Spain.

The scores of Australians ditching international travel in 2023 has sparked a surge in alternative approaches to travel content on social media.

In a now-viral clip, influencer Alex Hayes told The Post-School Podcast that would-be travellers could chase the thrill in day-to-day life.

“You can find travel just walking to your local cafe, leaving your phone at home and just going a different route,” he said.

“It’s about finding things and opportunities that get you out of your normal routine that will shake up your world a little bit.”

The clip, which has since been widely shared on TikTok and Instagram, has been met with mixed reactions by travellers.

One user commented: “Possibly the worst call.”

“Yeah, I’m sure the Brunswick Cafe is going to hit the same as Croatia,” wrote another.

“I’m going to go to Ascot Vale Coles instead of Moonee Ponds,” wrote one user.

“I love travelling.”

Another user wrote: “What you say when you have FOMO.”

In response, host “Uncle” Nathan wrote: “You guys make me laugh.”

In a later video, Nathan credited good financial practices for his own travel in an apparent ad for online money app WeMoney.

For those who did make it to Europe, a mix of environmental crises and political unrest further jeopardised travel plans.

Paris, the most visited city in the world, was rocked by further violent protests in the first weeks of summer.

Greece and the Italian island of Sicily have more recently witnessed out-of-control wildfires that have also impacted North Africa.

Australian singer Hannah Cañon was returning to Melbourne when a five-star resort she performed in on the island of Rhodes burned down.

While Greece is still classified as a safe travel location, Smartraveller’s latest advice warns of potential wildfires.

“Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece, and there are several active wildfires,” it states.

“Areas of Greece are under warnings of extreme fire danger, including areas around Athens and the Peloponnese.

“Expect travel disruptions if you’re due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires.”