It seems Australians are gaining confidence in overseas travel. Research from Trafalgar, part of the wider The Travel Corporation family, has revealed we’re keen to pack our bags, with a 1087 per cent increase in bookings from April to June, compared to January to March this year.
Spontaneous trips seem to be the antidote to our wanderlust as more and more Australians are booking holidays that depart sooner rather than later.
And where are most of us itching to jet off to at the eleventh hour? Europe. A place that has obviously been on our minds as 78 per cent of all Trafalgar trip bookings this year so far are touching down in the continent.
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Toni Ambler, Managing Director, Trafalgar Australia and New Zealand says: “There is no doubt that Aussies are keen to get out there and explore. We are seeing a shorter window between booking and travelling, and September is shaping up to be one of the most popular times to travel. A third of current Trafalgar bookings are set to touch down in Europe during this one month”.
September is a fantastic time of year to visit Europe. The weather has cooled from the stifling summer heat found in many locations. In addition, there are fewer crowds, leaving more choice in hotels, restaurants, and tours. Cities, towns, villages, beaches and national parks are less busy and more inviting.
Northern Europe in late September may provide a sensational backdrop of leaves transitioning into their autumnal colours, while the stunning beaches on the Mediterranean in southern Europe still hold the promise of long, warm and sunny days.
Ellen Potters, a Trafalgar Travel Director for the company’s European tours, says: “There is no better time to travel than the late European summer. Whether you dream of strolling the charming French countryside or joining the locals for a beer fest in Germany, there are endless pinch-me moments awaiting spontaneous travellers who book that last-minute trip for September”.
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Trafalgar found travellers are booking two months in advance rather than six months which used to be the norm pre-pandemic. And the most favoured European destinations are Italy, Britain and Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France, Scandinavia, Germany, and the Netherlands.
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