During the worst of Covid, the uncertainty over potential lockdowns inevitably meant travellers wanted to keep more flexibility and book van parks and camping spots as late as they could.
And new research indicates that that trend of keeping options open for as long as possible is here to stay.
Australia’s largest regional accommodation provider, the G’day Group, surveyed nearly 11,000 members to understand winter travel intentions and the results were eye-opening.
Some 60% of respondents indicated that they intend to travel over the next three months, with a further 23.5% indicating that they intend to travel within the next 3-6 months.
Travelers like to keep their options open for as long as they can.
However, despite having strong intentions to travel, many are still waiting until the last minute to book, with nearly 50% of those surveyed indicating they plan to book only 1-2 weeks before their trip.
G’day Group Chief Executive Officer Grant Wilckens said that despite a delayed start to ‘nomad season’, bookings were already well ahead of last year with a last-minute surge expected to make it one of the busiest seasons on record.
“Each election year, we see a delay in winter travel as grey nomads stay home to vote before hitting the road,” he said. “However, after two years of travel uncertainty and lockdowns, we’re expecting it to be a massive nomad-season as more Aussies hit the road and head north in search of sun.”
He said that bookings at the company’s northern parks were up nearly 50% on last year and 85% when compared with the last non-Covid year.
But, with half of travellers indicating their intention to book at the last minute, he warned that there would by huge demand at some these parks over winter.
“Parks are going to start filling up quickly now the election is behind us and they’re also balancing a huge lift in demand for long-term accommodation because of massive pressure in the housing market,” Mr Wilckens said. “Obviously it’s really pleasing to see nomads hitting the roads again and exploring our backyard, but I’d encourage anyone thinking of doing so to plan ahead so you don’t miss out.”
According to the survey Queensland and New South Wales are the most popular travel destinations over the winter months, with 45% of respondents indicating they intend to travel to one or both of these states, followed by South Australia (37%), Victoria (33%) and WA (27%).
Intended length of trips were mixed with 41% indicating they intend to travel for one month or between one and three months, 26% intending to travel for a week and 20% intending to travel for more than three months.
