Bali dethroned by New Zealand as Australia’s number one travel destination this summer

Could Australia’s love affair with Bali be waning?

With its picturesque scenery, lively nightlife, food options, cheap flights and value for money, Australians flock to the Island of the Gods in big numbers every year.

But new data suggests travellers are planning to skip Bali, and more broadly Indonesia, this summer.

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A survey released by the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has revealed 75 per cent of us are planning a holiday between now and the end of February, with 14 per cent jetting off overseas.

For those digging out the passports, close to one in five are planning to head across the ditch to our new number one destination — New Zealand.

Europe followed closely behind in second, with Japan, Thailand and Singapore rounding out the top five.

Indonesia — where one million Australians sun, surf, sip and shop annually — came in equal seventh, tied with the USA, Canada, China and Vietnam.

The figures emerged months after Bali officials announced a crackdown on tourists behaving badly and days after it was revealed officials there could scrap a $50 visa charge for travellers from 20 countries, including Australia.

The percentage of people travelling overseas has also increased from 6.5 to 14, off the back of easing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

TTF Australia chief executive Margy Osmond said it was exciting to see people were still finding ways to travel amid cost of living pressures and rising interest rates.

“Australians ranked travel and holidays as their number one priority when it comes to non-essential spending, showing just how important it is to enjoy a getaway with friends or family,” Osmond said.

Thirty-six per cent of the 2000 people surveyed said they would holiday within their state and one in four will travel domestically.

“It’s fantastic to see so many Aussies are holidaying here in Australia this year, helping support our local tourism operators, who’ll also benefit from more international visitors heading down under,” Osmond said.

“Our airports are well-prepared to make this busy period as smooth as possible, with more Australians travelling overseas or interstate this year compared to last summer.”