Rising airfares ground Aussie travellers

The threat of rising airfares has Aussies reviewing their holiday plans, with many indicating that increased airfares ‘would have an affect’ on their travel habits, according to a survey conducted by accommodation website Wotif.com.*

But the results of the survey, which asked over 600 people to consider what affect the threatened price hikes in air travel would have on their travel plans, contained a silver lining for local tourism operators, with over 70% of respondents indicating they’d holiday closer to home. 

Commenting on the survey, Managing Director, Robbie Cooke, said, “People will always love to travel, and while rising airfares may affect the destinations they choose, these results show that it will have a minimal impact on their inclination to travel.

Many Kiwi and Asian respondents echoed their Aussie counterparts, with 43% of the international respondents marking Australia as a desirable destination if long-haul airfares become too expensive.

As the number one accommodation website in Australia and New Zealand, Wotif.com is well positioned to assist both consumers and the tourism industry throughout this time.

“By using a distribution channel, like Wotif.com, which is strong throughout the Asia-Pacific region, local accommodation properties will be well placed to counteract any negative affects brought on by the rising airfares,” Cooke added.

Cooke said the rising airfares would likely alter consumer behaviour, “consumers are looking for ways to stretch their holiday budget.”

“More and more decisions will be lead by price and a perception of value, with the ability to compare alternatives easily of increased importance to holiday makers.”

Respondents to the survey also said they planned to use the rising costs of airfares as an excuse to extend their breaks, with many intending to spend more time at each destination to  compensate for the increased cost of getting there.

Wotif.com tips to save you money on travel

1 – Be your own travel agent

Avoid paying travel agent commissions by logging onto the net and booking your own flights and accommodation.

2 – Keep an open mind

Instead of choosing a destination first, let the deals guide your decision.

3 – Choose self-contained apartments

With more space, and the facilities to cook our own meals, self-contained apartments can save money on eating out and use the money to stay longer.

4 – Wait for shoulder or low season

Rates are highest during peak periods as demand is at its highest, so if you can be flexible, try going away during the shoulder or low seasons.

5 – Get off the beaten track

It’s no secret that the busier the destination, the higher the accommodation prices.  Rather than go with the crowd, consider more off-beat destinations like regional areas, or choose accommodation that is just outside of the town.

6 – Look for added extras

Many hotels add value-packed inclusions to their last-minute deals.  Items such as complimentary breakfasts and free parking can be worth their weight in gold and keep additional costs to a minimum.

7 – Look for in-house facilities

Check out the complimentary facilities available in the hotel/resort. Complimentary use of items such as tennis courts, swimming pools and playgrounds will keep the kids amused and keep entertaining costs to a minimum.

8 – Act quickly

If you see a bargain – snap it up!

The survey was conducted online by Wotif.com between the 13th & 17th June, 2008 and received 604 responses.

A Report by The Mole