NZ still top for Aussies
New Zealand remains the number one short haul destination for Australians considering a holiday, although the impact of 2011’s Christchurch earthquake continues to be seen.
In September’s Roy Morgan Holiday Tracking Survey, 12.9% of Aussies nominated NZ it as their preferred short haul holiday spot, down from the 15.1% highs recorded in February 2011, prior to the disaster.
However, Jane Ianiello, Roy Morgan international director tourism, travel and leisure, said the earthquake’s effect on the destination’s appeal could have been worse.
“Considering the devastating effect that natural disasters, terrorism, or political unrest can have on a nation’s tourism industry, New Zealand’s popularity with Australians is holding up quite well considering the Christchurch earthquake only last year,” she said.
Ianniello compared it to Bali which saw a “precipitous” decline in the aftermath of the bombings in 2002 and 2005. The Indonesian island recorded a score of 5.3% in this latest survey, around the same levels as in March 2001.
“It remains to be seen whether the recently reported terrorist threat on the tenth anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings will once again dent the appeal of Bali as a preferred holiday destination for Australians,” she said.
Meanwhile, South Pacific destinations also proved popular, with 8% of Aussies eyeing them for a holiday.
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