Triple-digit growth for some international destinations last Christmas

Thanks to the strength of the Australian Dollar towards the end of last year, a number of international destinations, in particular the United States and Thailand, recorded significant growth among Australian travellers last Christmas, according to booking data* from online travel company Expedia.com.au. Read more

If you’ve returned to work from the Christmas break feeling tired, stressed and maybe a little unmotivated, you’re not alone. A recent survey* conducted by online travel company Expedia.com.au has found that the recent Christmas break has left many Australians (27 per cent) feeling tired, stressed and feeling like they had not relaxed – particularly those who had spent it with family.

While over 70 per cent of Australians spent Christmas with family this year, many Gen Ys specifically found Christmas with the family particularly hard work. They reported feeling the most stressed and tired of any age group after their Christmas break, with around a quarter planning a last-minute escape now to recuperate. Read more

Expedia reports triple-digit growth for some international destinations

With the Australian Dollar recently having broken through parity against the US Dollar and continuing to increase against other major currencies, many Australians are taking advantage of the good times and heading overseas in the later stages of 2010.

According to recent bookings* on Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia Inc., the world's largest online travel company, triple-digit year-on-year growth has been recorded for hotel bookings in some international destinations. Expedia predicts this surge in international travel to continue with many Aussies considering a Christmas abroad. Read more

Aussie travellers take advantage of favourable Euro / Aussie Dollar exchange rate for European holidays

Hotel transactions conducted in the first four months of the year for some European destinations grew by at least 180% compared to the same period last year, according to Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia. Inc., the world’s largest online travel company. The biggest rise in hotel bookings was posted by destinations bordering the Mediterranean such as Greece, Italy and Spain.

Chris Hann, Retail Manager at Expedia.com.au comments, “We have seen a huge growth in demand for Mediterranean destinations such as Santorini, Positano, Dubrovnik and Istanbul as well as for more conventional European destinations like Manchester, Geneva and Lucerne. Read more

One in four Gen Y Aussies complain in order to score an upgrade on a flight or hotel room

New research from Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, has found that Generation Y Aussies are most likely to complain in order to land themselves a free upgrade on a flight or in a hotel.

The survey*, conducted among 1,000 Australians, revealed that almost a quarter (24 per cent) of Australians aged between 18-24 were willing to complain about nearby guests/passengers, the food, or quality of service to score a flight or hotel upgrade, well above the national average of 16 per cent.

As part of their bag of freewheeling tricks, four per cent of Gen Ys also admit to posing as business travellers to secure a free upgrade. Read more