New Zealand is still the leading overseas destination for Aussie travellers, according to the latest overseas tourism data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Aussies made 1.4 million short-term trips across the Tasman in 2018-19, the data shows, and 2018-19 was the highest year on record for Australian residents returning from a short-term trip overseas, with 11.2 million trips – 5.4 million more than 10 years ago.
“There has generally been an ongoing increase of Australian residents travelling overseas over recent decades,” said ABS director of migration statistics Jenny Dobak.
Indonesia remained in second position, with over 1.3 million trips, followed by the US with over one million trips.
New Zealand was the leading destination for those living in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, while Indonesia led for those living in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The median duration away for Australians was 15 days.
Holiday was the main reason for travel for 57 per cent of Aussies returning home from a short-term trip overseas. Visiting friends and relatives was next at 26 per cent.
Top 10 destination countries for the year ending 30 June 2018-19
1. New Zealand – 1.44 million
2. Indonesia – 1.31 million
3. US – 1.08 million
4. UK (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man) – 668,000
5. China – 611,000
6. Thailand – 565,000
7. Japan – 484,000
8. India – 416,000
9. Singapore – 405,000
10. Fiji – 345,000
Which is your favourite destination? How many of these destinations have you visited? Which one would you most recommend to our members?
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