Backpackers defy economic downturn
Visiting backpackers to Australia are refusing to let the economic gloom of the credit crunch impact on their globetrotting ways, according to two new polls.
A survey released today by backpacker bible TNT Magazine, travel communications operator Global Gossip and benchmarking specialist Business Reporting Bureau reveals independent travellers in Australia spend almost three times more than the average international holidaymaker.
The online poll found they ploughed an average of $8859 into the Australian economy, compared to $3080 spent by mainstream international tourists*.
More than seven in 10 of the surveyed travellers indicated they have or would be undertaking paid employment and, to underline the backpacking sector’s value to the economy, almost 75% of those intended to spend their earnings on travel within Australia.
In pleasing news for primary producers struggling to harvest their seasonal crops, more than half of the respondents said they would seriously consider undertaking work in a rural region in order to secure a second one-year working holiday visa.
TNT Magazine Managing Director Ian Wakeling said: “Despite the global economic uncertainty, young travellers are still flocking Down Under in large numbers and spending big. If anything, the relative weakness of the dollar makes the trip even more enticing.â€
Meanwhile, more than 1500 young travellers aged between 19 and 29 took part in a follow-up online survey in Global Gossip locations in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the UK and Spain, with 64% vowing to stick to their original travel plans and a further 23% stating they would probably travel more as the economic crisis blows over. Only 12% said they would cut their budget and trip as a result of the downturn.
Global Gossip Managing Director Peter Ovenden added: “Taken together, these surveys prove how resilient travellers are. Despite economic woes, rising fuel costs and the threat of terrorism, most young people are determined to continue exploring the world.â€
*International Visitors Survey June 2008
Notes for Editors:
TNT Magazine Australia is the market-leading publisher of backpacker titles including TNT Magazine Australia, TNT Magazine New Zealand, TNT Korea, the Independent Travellers Guide to Australia and New Zealand, www.tntdownunder.com and e-newsletter TNT Extra. For more information, contact Ian Wakeling on 0404 259 087 or e-mail [email protected].
Global Gossip is the largest network of communication centres for travellers in the world with more than 200 locations across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and the UK.
Business Reporting Bureau (BRB) conducts ‘live’ benchmarking, allowing like entities within specific industries – hotels within the business owner’s sector, for example, or primary schools within the schooling sector – to compare themselves against each other in real time (and completely anonymously).
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