New research has revealed New Zealanders are more spontaneous than ever, with data showing Kiwis are increasingly inclined to leave holiday bookings later and travel on a whim.
The research from Jetstar found that 41 per cent of New Zealanders are booking flights closer to their travel date than pre-pandemic, while the number of Kiwis booking flights within a month of travel has more than doubled.
“After more than two years of living through a pandemic, there is a real sense that people are ready to resume living – driving them to embrace spontaneity, seek adventure and new experiences, and travel with little notice,” says leading clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire.
“Spontaneity reflects choices that are made with less inhibition and more emotion, which may feel high risk for some people as they push against their comfort zone but can provide opportunities for unexpected joy, connection, wonder and learning. Practising spontaneity can support people to be more flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances – skillsets that support enhanced mental wellbeing.”
More than a third (38 per cent) of New Zealanders say they have left for a trip with less than two weeks' notice in the past year, and 57 per cent say they would drop everything and head off on a trip immediately if they were given free flights.
The research also found the majority (80 per cent) of New Zealanders are more likely to travel domestically, with 36 per cent of those people saying it is because they think New Zealand is the best country to explore and almost half (47 per cent) saying domestic travel feels less complicated than international travel.
“Our human need for certainty and preference to avoid risk has likely contributed to our desire to see more of New Zealand. Domestic travel ticks a lot of boxes – adventure, human connection, and experiencing natural beauty, so it is understandable that so many would prioritise seeing New Zealand,” says Jacqui.
“Basing destination decisions on price is an understandable choice as it means people can spend more time away visiting friends or family, exploring somewhere new, or getting a much-needed holiday. Booking closer to the date of departure also gives us more clarity over available funds and how much we can afford to spend on travel.”
Data from Jetstar bookings reinforces the survey findings, with one in four domestic flights booked between January and March this year made within five days of travel. Domestic travellers are also more likely to stay at their destination longer, with a decrease in the number of people booking short stays and an increase in holidays of between four to seven days.
The most popular destination for Jetstar customers is Queenstown, however, more than half (53 percent) of New Zealanders say they make decisions about the destination of their trip based on the price of flights.
