Aussies prefer domestic beaches – study
Australians rate their own beaches higher than those of other Asia Pacific resort destinations, according to a new study.
Research by Tourism Australia found that 60% of Aussies considered their country’s top beach destinations as better than those in Bali, Fiji and Thailand. The beaches of Broome, Exmouth and Ningaloo in Western Australia, North Queensland, the Gold Coast and the Whitsunday Islands all ranked higher than any of the overseas locations.
When presented with domestic and overseas options, 35% of respondents said they would be more likely to take a beach holiday in Australia, compared to 24% more likely to go overseas, although younger travellers without children expressed a greater preference for overseas travel. Families ranked the Whitsundays as their preferred destination, while older travellers were attracted by the Western Australia coast.
“This research demonstrates the enduring appeal amongst Australian families for the Australian seaside break,” said Andrew McEvoy, Managing Director of Tourism Australia. “The findings are proof positive that our country offers some of the most beautiful, safe and high quality beach holiday experiences in the world.”
Value for money was cited as the most important consideration when choosing a beach holiday, followed by natural beauty and climate. However this didn’t necessarily sway the results in favour of domestic breaks. In fact 38% of respondents said they believed an Australian beach holiday would be more expensive, compared to just 32% saying overseas trips would be pricier.
The findings come just weeks after Australia’s latest National Visitor Survey found that domestic trips increased 4.1% in the 12 months ending September 2012, with spending up 7%.