Travellers flock to Europe and Asia
Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, said: "We are seeing a lot of demand for holidays in Bali, Fiji and Thailand, with bookings much higher than pre-COVID levels and offering standout value.
ASIA’s holiday havens of Bali and Thailand, along with Britain and Europe, head the destinations where Australians are heading for holidays, according to leading Jewish travel experts.
Locations such as Vietnam, Fiji and Hawaii are also in demand as holidaymakers head overseas.
Danny Englman, joint managing director of FBI Travel of Caulfield North, said: “Europe is as hot a destination as ever – last year was a record-breaking year for Europe and this summer looks even busier.
“Accommodation in all the popular places such as Italy, Spain, France and Croatia is full.”
Englman said the best-value holiday destinations are Thailand and Vietnam, noting that Bali has dropped from its previous high level of popularity.
“Israel is booming all year round, with many travellers taking advantage of a stopover in Dubai for a couple of nights,” he said.
“It’s important to plan your stopover in Dubai – get advice on a hotel to stay at depending on whether you want to spend time at the beach, shopping or visiting tourist attractions.
“There are numerous kosher restaurants in Dubai, including some in hotels, so religious travellers are well catered for, better than in most places outside of Israel and the United States.”
Englman said Mediterranean cruising is very popular, while European river cruising is returning to high levels.
“People are looking at different cruising experiences, such as combining a journey down the Nile in Egypt with a Mediterranean cruise.
“Adventure cruising to Antarctica and the Arctic offers good value in the luxury market and includes great itineraries that appeal to the younger, more active demographic.”
David Goldman, Sydney-based joint managing director of Goldman Group, said that European holidays are high on the list of many Australian travellers.
“Many people have decided to return to their favourite places, ranging from Lake Como in Italy to the French Riviera, as they rediscover them,” he said.
“And they are spending more time in each place, whereas once they would rush around to six or seven cities in a week. It’s not so much about ticking boxes on a list anymore but travelling at a slower pace.”
Goldman said that guided tours for walking and cycling appeal to many travellers.
“Cruising is very popular, especially aboard the smaller luxury ships that sail in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.”
Goldman said more travellers were using travel agents to book their trips to avoid stress if their travel plans suddenly changed.
“About 40 per cent of our enquiries have never used a travel agency or adviser before,” he said.
Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, said: “We are seeing a lot of demand for holidays in Bali, Fiji and Thailand, with bookings much higher than pre-COVID levels and offering standout value.
“European and Asian holidays remain as strong as ever while travel within Australia has eased off – there has been a significant shift away from local holidays as people head overseas.
“Vietnam is selling well and there are some incredible deals offering better value than many other destinations.
“Now that Hong Kong has reopened to tourists there are some great hotel deals available.”
Schwab noted that cruising has gained a lot of momentum this year, especially cruises in the Mediterranean and departing from the US.
“More and more people are trying a cruise and those who take a cruise every year are loving it.”
comments