Aussie travellers aren’t using mobile tech
New research from Amadeus has found that despite Australia’s high smartphone penetration, Australian travellers are less likely to use their mobile phone when they travel, compared to their APAC counterparts.
The research ‘Journey of Me Insights: What Asia Pacific Travellers Want,’ also found Australians prefer peer to peer recommendations, rather than a travel agent or social media, but are willing to trade personal data to receive relevant offers and personalised experiences from travel providers.
Australians less reliant on their mobiles for travel
Compared to their APAC counterparts, Australian travellers are less reliant on their mobiles when planning and travelling.
Only one in three use a mobile for researching and one in five for booking a trip, compared to 54 per cent and 46 per cent respectively for APAC travellers.
The majority of Australians (81 per cent) still do their travel research and booking on a laptop or computer.
As well as this, Australian travellers overwhelmingly prefer to receive updates and recommendations about their trip via email (62 per cent), where APAC travellers are more diverse in their preferences, including instant messaging services, travel company apps and social media.
Australians are also less inclined to use sharing economy apps compared to APAC.
Interestingly, 49 per cent of Australian travellers have never used a sharing economy service such as Uber and Airbnb, whereas 75 per cent of APAC travellers have used sharing economy apps.
However, Aussie travellers also know how to switch off, with only 19 per cent needing to stay up to date with work or business, compared to 32 per cent in APAC.
Instead, Australian travellers go online to access maps and location information (54 per cent), let people know they are safe (52 per cent) and keep up-to-date with what is happening in the world (49 per cent).
Australians demand genuine and personalised recommendations
Recommendations from travel providers are welcome, as long as the offers are relevant and personalised, and privacy is protected, with over two thirds (62 per cent) of Australian respondents stating they are open to sharing personal information with travel providers.
Australian travellers have an appetite for trusted recommendations, delivered in real time. Consistent with the broader APAC results, online booking sites, travel review sites and word of mouth have the largest influence on Australian travellers’ planning.
However, Australian travellers are more heavily influenced by traveller reviews than friends and family.
Justin Montgomery, General Manager of Amadeus Australia and New Zealand said, “Australian travellers stand out due to their strong preference for genuine recommendations and experiences.
They are more likely to turn to fellow travellers than a travel professional for guidance, however, they are still open to receiving offers from travel providers, and will share their personal information with them, but only if the provider respects their privacy and delivers real value.
“Australians’ increasing interest in international travel means there is plenty of growth opportunity for travel providers, if they can ensure they’re tailoring interactions and experiences to suit the changing preferences and needs of Australian travellers,” he said.
Aussie travellers demonstrate an adventurous spirit
When asked what adverse events would affect their likelihood to travel to a destination, Australians across the board were less likely to be put off travelling, compared to the average APAC traveller.
Of the six different scenarios, terror attacks were most likely to affect an Australian’s decision to travel, with one in two (48 per cent) Australians stating they were very unlikely to travel to a destination that has had a recent terror attack.
However, Australians are less adventurous when it comes to language. Upon arrival at a destination, 70 per cent of Australian travellers think it is important to find service staff that speak a language they understand, compared to only 47 per cent of APAC travellers.
Mr Montgomery continued, “The one-size fits-all approach to travel is a thing of the past. Even within APAC, our research shows that the needs and preferences, behaviours and demands of travellers vary enormously from one country to another.
“The travel industry will thrive when we put the traveller at the centre of everything we do. The first step to doing so is to better understand who our travellers are and what they want. Traveller expectations are a moving target, and we must keep pace,” he said.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
amadeus aussie traveller mobile mobile techLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
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 […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.