Three-quarters of Aussies plan up to 3 trips this year: AMEX

Exploring by longtail boat - Cheow Lan lake in Khao Sok National park, Thailand
Edited by Travel Weekly


    American Express has released the 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, revealing three-quarters (76%) of Australians are planning to take up to three vacations in 2024, using spending hacks to get the most out their experiences.

    The report revealed Australians planning on taking a trip in 2024 will spend an average of $9,131 on leisure travel this year, and 65 per cent of Australians plan on travelling solo in 2024.

    Bucket list trip/dream vacation (31%), and event specific travel for sporting events or concerts (19%) were revealed as some of the leading reasons driving travel plans for Australians.

    “Booking” after number one 

    At least one solo adventure is on the cards for 65 per cent of Australians this year, with 29 per cent looking to treat themselves and 27 per cent looking to take a break from the chaos of day-to-day life as top reasons to consider a solo trip.

    Cruises emerged in the findings as a cost-effective way to travel alone.

    The report has found that 19 per cent of Australians planning on taking a trip in 2024 plan to take a cruise this year and of those planning on booking a cruise, 21 per cent are Gen X and 20 per cent are Millennials.

    13 per cent want to take an all-inclusive trip as a solo trip in an effort to being more budget-friendly.

    Solo travel is on the rise!

    More than a third (34%) of Australians consider an expedition cruise to be their ‘dream’ vacation.

    Corinne Ng, VP and GM of Travel and Lifestyle Services, American Express Asia Pacific said: “Aussies are favouring the freedom and wellness-benefits of solo travel. Solo travel is a wonderful way to unwind and discover a new hobby. Travelling alone also allows you to take ownership of selecting the perfect destination and gives you the ability to curate the ideal itinerary, catered just for you.”

    “Fan” voyage

    Amex’s latest 2024 Trendex revealed that over half of Australians (59%) plan to attend more live sporting events compared to last year, a trend which looks to inspire 2024 travel plans too.

    The American Express 2024 Global Travel Trends report revealed that 33 per cent of Australians are interested in travelling for a big sporting/cultural event. With the Olympics on the horizon, Paris (24%) along with New York (32%) and Miami (15%) were among the top sporting destinations for Australians’ travel plans.

    Travelling to watch homegrown talent is also on the cards, with 1 in 5 (20%) Australians planning to travel domestically for a sporting event this year.

    Bucket-list ready

    35 per cent of Australians are planning to tick off their bucket-list trip this year as a top reason for planning a major trip in 2024.

    In preparation, 73 per cent agree that they are willing to give up daily expenses, like coffee and food delivery, to save money for their travels, with this figure jumping to 80 per cent among Gen Z and Millennials.

    Bucket list travellers are aplenty this year!

    81% of Australians agree that they are interested in finding the best flight deals to free up spending money on accommodation or upgrades. Opting for multiple cheaper connecting flights over flying direct to a final destination (21%) and flying overnight to avoid additional accommodation costs (18%) are among the top travel hacks for those planning on taking a trip in 2024.

    “A quarter (25%) of those surveyed are planning to use their credit card points to cover travel expenses this year. This is a growing trend we’re witnessing among our own Card Members who are increasingly seeking ways to use Membership Rewards points to secure flights, accommodation and other travel perks.” concluded Corinne Ng.

    Featured Image: Exploring by longtail boat – Cheow Lan lake in Khao Sok National park, Thailand

    Latest News

    • Destinations
    • News

    APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

    APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

    • Cruise
    • Luxury
    • News

    Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

    Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

    • Luxury

    Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

    Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]