Here is the latest news from the travel industry and the LHITA.
Australians have accumulated significant amounts of annual leave due to the pandemic, with the average standing at 14.1 days per year. The total accrued annual leave has soared reaching a record 200 million days by late 2023. This “pent-up demand” has led to a more competitive travel space and a notable increase in marketing spend.
Consumer sentiment data from various financial institutions in mid 2024 highlights travel budget reductions, with Australians saving an average of $528 per month by postponing, cutting back, or cancelling travel plans in the first quarter of the year. Millennials, in particular, are the biggest savers, cutting their travel budgets by $743 a month. These savings are being redirected to cover essential costs, boost offset accounts, or pay down mortgages.
Despite budget constraints, Australians are keen on enjoying luxury experiences and are seeking smarter ways to spend on travel, a trend dubbed “Bougie on a budget” by Skyscanner. 81% of travellers plan to travel as much or more in 2024 compared to 2023, and 76% intend to maintain or increase their travel spending. Luxury Escapes reported that Australians frequently invest in room upgrades (65%) and flight enhancements (61%), seeking indulgent experiences such as massages and fine dining. Booking.com calls these travellers “A La Carte Affluencers,” who opt for luxury amenities without the hefty price tag.
Cost-saving strategies among travellers include seeking “destination dupes,” a concept popularised by TikTok. One in three travellers now looks for more affordable alternatives to popular destinations (See the ‘best domestic destination dupes’ article featuring Lord Howe Island below). These “hidden gems” offer potential savings and unique, less crowded experiences. Skyscanner’s money-saving tools, like the “Everywhere” search feature, reflect a growing emphasis on cost-conscious travel.
Additionally, unique travel motivations are emerging, with trends like “puppymoons” and “first-date-iversaries” gaining traction, according to Expedia. These “go-ccasions” reflect a shift towards celebrating small moments and fostering deeper connections through shared experiences, leading to a rise in intergenerational travel, overseas weddings and trips for work-related milestones.
A significant shift towards passion-driven travel is also in the latest TripAdvisor research. Before the pandemic, travel was often about simply being away from work. Now, people seek experiences aligned with their passions, such as astronomy or niche travel. Australians are spending about 19% of their travel budget on experiences and nightlife, significantly higher than the global average of 12%.
Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre will stay open as much as possible during July. Currently, the Visitor Centre is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 9:00am – 12:00 pm.
We will notify you of changes and hours via email and social media. When the team is not present at the desk, brochures, maps, weather, and DAS will be placed on the brochure rack on the veranda for self-service.
All updates, DAS and dining guides are sent to lodges to forward to guests. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at visit@lordhoweisland.info or phone 6563 2114 with any questions. After hours, please feel free to contact Pia at tourism@lordhoweisland.info for enquiries.
Lord Howe Island & Australian Traveller
The Lord Howe Island Tourism Association recently collaborated with Australian Traveller for their 100 Aussie Wonders issue. This partnership led to multiple features both in print and online, as well as extensive coverage across social media, reaching a total audience of over 300,000.
10 Unique Island Wonders in Australia and 23 Incredible Wonders Around the World to Explore: Climbing Lord Howe Island’s Mt Gower – As one of Australia’s most iconic day hikes, climbing the primordial peak of Mt Gower on Lord Howe Island is a serious challenge, which delivers a huge amount of kudos upon completion.
Experiencing Lord Howe Island (print): An island escape like no other, Lord Howe Island awaits with unique experiences and an UNTOUCHED environment.
The 12 Best Infinity Pools in Australia: Capella Lodge – The plunge pool overlooking all this and Lovers Bay at Capella Lodge on Lord Howe Island is the cherry on top of the alluring beauty of this remote Pacific Island.
Lord Howe Island featured in Urban List’s 50 Of The Best Places To Visit in Australia Right Now
Looking like something straight out of Jurassic Park (the beautiful parts, minus the dinosaurs), Lord Howe Island is packed with jaw-dropping rugged beauty from rainforest-clad volcanic mountains to fern-laced gullies.
And be sure to check out Ball’s Pyramid, a dramatic hunk of basalt that is the planet’s tallest sea stack. This is absolutely one of the best places to visit in Australia.
Lord Howe Island featured in Channel 9 Travel’s The best domestic destination dupes
Home to an untouched coral reef teeming with vibrant pops of marine life, white sandy beaches and countless (and well-marked) trails criss-crossing lush, mountainous greenery, Lord Howe Island can feel like it’s all yours at times – probably due to the fact that only 400 tourists are permitted here at any one time.
Lord Howe Island Stories on the ABC
The ABC recently visited Lord Howe Island to capture stories about life on the Island:
Bruce Thompson is a fourth-generation Islander and has been singing The Call of Lord Howe Island for as long as he can remember. Lord Howe Island settler family the Thompsons serenade their beloved island at local weddings and funerals:
On weddings, birthdays and funerals, these singers serenade Lord Howe Island.
This next story about Lois Whistler celebrates her family’s long history on Lord Howe Island as she approaches her 100th birthday in November:
Lord Howe Island’s oldest resident reflects on century of family, community and living in paradise
Stay tuned for more from the ABC.
Contact
Visitor Centre: 6563 2114 or visit@lordhoweisland.info for any visitor service-related enquiries
Tourism Officer: tourism@lordhoweisland.info (Pia) for any media, social media or membership enquiries.