As the Northern Hemisphere basks in summer warmth, Australians are escaping their winter chills by traveling abroad in record numbers. According to 1Cover Travel Insurance, mid-year travel is seeing a significant surge, with several destinations experiencing unprecedented popularity.
Natalie Smith, head travel expert for 1Cover Travel Insurance, observed a marked increase in travel interest. “Although we’re a few years out from the pandemic, we’re still seeing an overwhelming desire to travel overseas. This year we’ve seen a 26% increase in overall policies sold compared to 2023, along with a push towards mid-year travel. In terms of European destinations, events like the Paris Olympics and the European Championships are drawing in big numbers while Japan and Bali have both been consistently popular through 2024,” she said.
The top 10 travel destinations for Australians in 2024, as reported by 1Cover, are:
Japan has seen a significant resurgence in tourism since lifting its COVID-19 restrictions in mid-2023. Visitor numbers to Japan have exceeded pre-pandemic figures by 66%, according to Smith.
“Travel to Japan is skyrocketing. We saw a huge surge to Japan after border restrictions were lifted last year. Based on current sales we foresee more than double the numbers compared to last year,” she said.
The attraction of Europe during the Northern Hemisphere summer remains strong among Australians.
“Aussies love to holiday in Europe during the northern hemisphere summer and this year is no exception, thanks to the Paris Olympics and other major sporting events,” Smith said. “Italy continues to be the most popular European mid-year travel destination with France a close favorite. Greece has also seen a big uptick along with Germany thanks to the European Championships.”
Travel to the Middle East, specifically to destinations like Egypt and Jordan, has decreased significantly due to regional conflicts. Additionally, there has been a notable decline in travel to Vanuatu following Air Vanuatu’s liquidation. Smith highlighted the impact of these factors, stating, “We’ve seen a greater awareness of the importance of travel insurance with travelers more inclined to take precautionary measures to safeguard their holidays. Aussies are wanting to get away but are mitigating their risks while doing so.”
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