But why is the rum gone?!
Aussies are leaving their wine in the fridge and their beer on tap on Friday afternoons, instead reaching for their phones.
But what on earth are they doing, I hear you ask?
Well, according to new data from HotelQuickly, one in five of them are booking a quick getaway instead, swapping wine o’clock for getaway o’clock.
The last minute hotel booking app has discovered that 65% of bookings are made after midday on a Friday, and apps like HotelQuickly, HotelTonight and many other last minute tools are helping this trend along.
“Australia has caught onto the trend from Europe, where people generally book getaways for the weekend ahead, with Europeans avid explorers of their own countries and neighbouring municipalities,” HotelQuickly’s COO and co-founder Christian Mischler said.
Roy Morgan Research is also behind the study, showing that last year 50% of Aussies took at least one short domestic trip, giving more power to the last-minute travel techies.
“A few years ago, booking a getaway was a treat that was planned and required research, with food prices and deals restricted to off-peak seasons. It’s safe to say a lot has changed since then,” Mischler added.
“We are seeing the ‘I want it now’ generation getting what they want immediately through a simple tap on a smartphone.
“Whether it’s booking a cab through Uber or a cleaner through Helpling, businesses need to provide services that cater to consumers seeking great experiences while saving time and money.”
HotelQuickly also found that Brisbanites are the biggest explorers, with 77% travelling interstate, while Sydneysiders keep it local, 58% opting to hang in their own state.
Melbourne movers and shakers are also all about their own city – and as cultural capital who wouldn’t be – with 53% preferring to rediscover Melbourne ahead of travelling elsewhere.
Sydney came in top, however, as the favourite destination among HotelQuickly users, with rival Melbourne hot on its heels in second, followed by the Gold Coast and Adelaide.
Image credit: oocities
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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