Travel Patterns Shift Due to Fuel Concerns
Australians are changing their holiday plans as uncertainty around fuel supply continues. Many choose destinations closer to home, according to data from Reflections Holidays, managing 40 holiday parks in New South Wales.
During the Easter long weekend, a survey by Reflections Holidays showed that 23% of travellers with bookings in the next three months have adjusted their plans to stay closer to home. Of these, 36.2% reduced their travel distance by at least 300 kilometres.
Nick Baker, CEO of Reflections Holidays, highlighted the change in sentiment among guests. “What our guests are telling us is that they still want to holiday, they are weighing up cost and availability of fuel, and around one quarter of them are shifting their trip to a destination that is closer to home,” Baker said.
Survey Highlights Changing Travel Preferences
The survey also highlighted that 48.2% of respondents said fuel prices partially influenced their holiday decisions, while 41.4% reported it as a significant factor. In contrast, 10.4% stated fuel price did not affect their plans at all.
Fuel availability was another concern, with 47.1% of respondents heavily influenced by it, and 41.3% partially influenced. However, 11.6% said it was not a factor in their decision-making. Baker explained, “The survey reinforces that people still want to holiday, arguably because now more than ever it’s important to connect with each other and with nature, and they are prioritising travelling shorter distances to have a getaway with loved ones.”
In response to these challenges, Reflections Holidays introduced discounts and a $25 fuel offset voucher to promote local travel. This offer is available until April 30, encouraging travellers to continue their holiday plans while supporting local tourism.
“We introduced the fuel offset and local stay deals to help our guests continue their holiday plans,” Baker stated. “This not only supports our business but also local economies.”
The survey collected responses from 11,000 participants in mid-March and 8,000 in early April. This data underscores the determination of Australians to maintain their holiday traditions despite economic challenges.
Among the survey findings, respondents are still more likely to adapt than abandon travel, with 23.3% of those with a travel booking in the next three months changing it to make it closer to home. Almost half of the respondents mentioned that fuel price and availability are major considerations in their travel decisions, showing the significant influence of these factors. Reflections Holidays aims to assist travellers by introducing incentives that make local travel more appealing during this period of uncertainty.
