📰 American Express Global Travel Trends Report Reveals Over Three-Quarters of Aussies are Set to Travel in 2025
American Express has released its 2025 Global Travel Trends Report today, demonstrating the enduring passion for travel among Australians. More than three-quarters (78%) of Australians plan to take up to three holidays this year, signalling a strong appetite for both local and international getaways.
For domestic trips, 51% of Aussies will travel just as much as they did in 2024, while 34% are planning to travel even more. For international travel, 43% will maintain their usual travel habits, with approximately one-third (34%) saying they will venture abroad more frequently this year.
Many Australians are not only planning to travel more but want to travel smarter by selecting destinations that offer the best value as well as curated, unique experiences. Top priorities for holiday-goers this year include places that match their budget (68%), followed by places that match interests such as food, sport and fashion (42%), as well as locations that offer authentic local experiences (42%). American Express’ 2025 Global Travel Trends Report highlights four key trends shaping Aussies’ travel plans this year.
Tiny Tour Guides: Kids Helping to Curate Travel Plans
Many kids are now having a greater influence on family holidays with 59% of Australian parents agreeing that their children help inform travel decisions.
Forty-one percent of parents say their kids help inform trip activities, with 31% allowing their children to help pick the destination. This isn’t just a phenomenon in Australia.
Globally 68% of Gen Z and Millennial parents report that their children play a key role in planning holidays, compared to 56% of Gen X and Baby Boomer parents. With kids in the driver’s seat, family-friendly travel is booming. Seventy-seven percent of Aussie families prefer destinations that are family-centric and have activities for all ages. Intriguingly this finding excludes cruising and resort holidays. Corinne Ng, Vice President and General Manager of American Express Travel and Lifestyle Services, says: “This year our Global Travel Trends Report shows that children are playing a key role in influencing their parent’s travel decisions and helping to shape unforgettable family holidays.”
Flights for Festivals, Passports for Playoffs
From sold-out concerts to global sporting finals, Aussies are turning their favourite events into their ultimate travel experiences. Nearly half (46%) plan to book a trip this year to attend an entertainment event.
For 44% of travellers, it’s about sharing the experience with friends and family, while 40% are committing to the adventure as dedicated fans. The trend of travelling for event experiences is taking off globally, with more than half (53%) of adults worldwide planning a trip around entertainment events in 2025. Corinne Ng reveals, “As many Aussies prioritise experiences, live events are becoming the ultimate excuse to explore new destinations and celebrate passions to make lasting memories.”
Tap to Takeoff: Turning Everyday Spending into Dream Holidays
Aussies are becoming savvy travel hackers, with 44% planning to use points for travel this year. They’re redeeming reward points earned on everyday expenses - such as groceries, coffees and subscriptions - for flights, hotels and upgrades. Also, Gen Z and Millennials are leading the trend of maximising travel reward benefits by linking their credit card to streaming services (20%) like Netflix or dining partners (18%) such as Uber Eats.
With so many Australians actively using credit card rewards and loyalty programs to maximise travel benefits, the 2025 Global Travel Trends report shows that travel hacking has firmly established itself as a popular and strategic approach to securing better travel experiences. “When used responsibly, credit cards can be a great way to earn points for travel, especially cards that offer flexibility to transfer points across airlines,” Corrine Ng, shares.
“Sixty percent believe combining credit card points with loyalty programs gives the best value for international travel and 48% report they’re likely to stack travel benefits from multiple loyalty programs to potentially get the best experience across flights and accommodation.”
Tailor-Made Travel: Smarter Holiday Planning for Aussies
Aussies are taking a more personalised and tech-savvy approach to travel this year, blending AIpowered tools with trusted recommendations. 70% of Australians say Generative AI is useful in booking their trip, particularly for activity recommendations (34%) when planning. GenAI is also being frequently leveraged for budget management, translation assistance and itinerary building.
However, traditional sources like reviews (44%), friends and family recommendations (43%) and travel agents (29%) remain strong influences for travel. When it comes to planning their holiday, 48% of Australians seek advice from friends and family while 45% turn to online travel guides to learn about their intended destination prior to their trip.
But it’s not just about choosing the destination, it’s also how about how they spend their time, with 33% of Aussies researching local businesses located at their intended destination before they even leave home.
Corinne Ng concludes: “It’s clear that Aussies are redefining travel by prioritising meaningful experiences, maximising reward points and blending technology with personal insights. From kids influencing family trips to booking holidays around live events, travel is more intentional than ever.” “The American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report highlights how important travel is to Australians and how planning every trip is now smarter, more rewarding and personal.”
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