The number of Australians who are intending to travel overseas for a holiday over the next 12 months is at its highest point for the last 5 years according to Roy Morgan Research. This is an increase of 10% for the same time last year (July 2010). Hot spots include USA mainland, Hawaii, Canada, China, and Bali.
Australians’ intention to travel domestically on their next holiday is down by 4% (58% to 54%) compared to July 2010.
Previous studies the agency has conducted are consistent with our previous findings on similar studies – that overseas holiday destination can be seen as more exotic with a point of cultural difference. There is also the perception that there is a wider variety of experiences overseas than in Australia. We have seen this consistently in the domestic market over the last 5 years, the fact is, many Australians think Australia is boring.
Current Roy Morgan Media data(July 2011) shows that for those intending to travel:
– 63% will find the Internet the most useful media for selecting travel and accommodation
– 12% will look to newspapers
– 7% to magazines
– Yellow pages, TV, catalogues (brochures), and radio were mentioned by less than 5% of holiday planners as a useful resource
With these stats, you can really back your decisions to focus on the web, particularly if you have a wide range of stakeholders
So what does this mean if you are a domestic operator? Focus on your Web / Internet strategy. If you don’t feel you have the skills, it really is worth it to outsource it. You need to look at areas such as:
– Keywords – what are the words that consumers use when they search on Google for a holiday
– Search Engine optimisation – make sure these words are in your web copy and working for you behind the scenes of your website
– Ensure your website is interesting, informative, and packed with relevant information
– List/database building
If you need to cut costs, DON’T cut costs in your website / digital marketing area. You are better off looking at cutting back on paper/brochures and collateral production and print advertising.
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