2023 has seen a surge in international travel bookings by Kiwis, with flight reservations up by a staggering 53% compared to the same period in 2022. Kiwis are clearly spreading their wings and exploring the world once again. This trend highlights a strong resurgence in the travel industry that was significantly derailed by COVID in the previous years.
While the demand for international and trans-Tasman travel has spiked, accounting for 39% of all bookings compared to 31% in 2022, it comes with some changes in travel behaviour.
In uncertain economic conditions, Kiwis are displaying a newfound sense of planning and prudence in their travel arrangements. The data reveals that they are booking their international trips further in advance, with an average lead time of 82 days in 2023, up from 75 days in 2022.
In addition, Kiwi travellers are adopting a new approach to their holidays, opting for shorter getaways. The average length of international trips has decreased by 11%, now standing at 23 days in 2023 compared to 26 days in the previous year. Similarly, trans-Tasman trips have seen a reduction from an average of 9 days in 2022 to 8 days this year.
As we look forward to 2024, it seems that Kiwis are not only enthusiastic about travelling but also planning well in advance. Flight bookings for the upcoming year are already up by a strong 49%, indicating that New Zealanders are eager to explore and make up for lost time.
So where are Kiwis setting their sights on for these upcoming adventures? The top international and trans-Tasman destinations on their radar include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Apia (Samoa), Fiji, Perth, Rarotonga, London, Tonga, and Manila.
The shift in travel preferences is clear when comparing data from previous years. For flights booked between January 1 to October 1, 2022, for travel between January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, the breakdown was as follows: Domestic – 69%, Trans-Tasman – 24%, and International – 7%. However, for bookings made between January 1 to September 15, 2023, for travel between January 1 to December 31, 2023, the distribution has evolved: Domestic – 61%, Trans-Tasman – 30%, and International – 9%.
