New data has revealed that Aussies are experiencing a shift in values and expectations when it comes to travelling, with many now making holidays a financial priority and even more saying they would be willing to pay more for sustainable and inclusive options.

The data, which comes from Expedia’s Traveller Value Index, has revealed that two in five Aussies (39 per cent) would actually trade a pay raise for more annual leave. That’s higher than the global average, which was around a third (36 per cent).

Respondents said they are now making travel a financial priority, with more than a third (34 per cent) saying they have larger travel budgets now compared to 2020.

In fact, nearly one in five respondents globally (18 per cent) expect travel to be the activity they spend most on in 2021, on par with major spending items such as home renovation (18 per cent) and ahead of entertainment (12 per cent), buying or taking care of a car (11 per cent), or healthcare (11 per cent).

In terms of the type of trips they are looking for, a majority of the respondents said they would make value-based decisions that reflect their own personal views when booking travel.

More than half (59 per cent) said they were willing to pay higher fees to make their trip more sustainable, and 65 per cent were more likely to book with travel providers that have inclusive policies, prioritising properties owned by women and/or people of colour, are welcoming to the LGBTQIA+ community, and those that are supportive of people with disabilities.

It’s also comforting to know that Australians are the most eager to return to the skies, with almost the same percentage indicating they expect to travel by air on their next trip as those who said they would travel by car (62 per cent and 65 per cent respectively).

What’s most exciting though, is that searches across Expedia Group platforms for our hardest-hit cities have increased significantly, with Melbourne up by 90 per cent and Sydney up by 85 per cent.

The way people think about frequency and length of travel has also shifted. Sixty per cent are opting for domestic travel in the short-term; however, they are planning to get away more often, nearly half (41 per cent) wanting more frequent, shorter trips.

The outlook for international travel is slowly building, with more than a quarter (27 per cent) of travellers considering a trip to another country in the next year.

Three quarters (71 per cent) of those surveyed also said they are comfortable showing a vaccine passport to travel internationally.

Most respondents said they would be looking for new and different experiences over nostalgic destinations, with 75 per cent likely to select a travel destination they’ve never been to before.

Featured image source: iStock/ArtMarie