Australians to Spend Big in First COVID Restriction Free Holiday in 2 Years

Australians to take advantage of the first holiday in two years with minimal restrictions. (Illustration - Getty Images)

With lockdowns behind them and borders easing, Australians are planning to spend billions this Easter—the first holiday period in two years where people can travel largely free of CCP virus restrictions, a survey from Australia’s peak retail body reveals.

“Australians have had their travel restricted through the pandemic, but with the borders opened and safety protocols relaxed, people will be taking advantage of the Easter long weekend,” the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Paul Zahra said.

“This is a significant boost for tourism operators and local businesses who’ve been doing it tough these past two years.”

An estimated four million are planning a trip away, with $7.1 billion (US$5 billion) to be spent on holidays and $1.5 billion (US$1 billion) on food and chocolate.

Mirage Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia. (Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland)

In collaboration with Roy Morgan, ARA’s research found that those aged 35-49—the age group which is most likely to have a family in tow—are planning to spend the most compared to any other age group.

They are set to spend an average of $2,000 (US$1,000) during Easter, totalling $2.6 billion (US$2 billion) overall.

Due to the various snap lockdowns, Australians had to discard most travel plans in 2020 and 2021. A surge of the Omicron variant and isolation restrictions last Christmas also saw axed flights and tens of thousands sent into quarantine.

“With minimal Covid restrictions in place and Australia’s high vaccination rate providing safety and confidence, people are now starting to go back to more regular holiday and social activities,” Zahra said.

Additionally, 63 percent of Australias are planning to travel within their own state, 34 percent will be going interstate, and three percent overseas.

New Zealand invites stargazers to its internationally-renowned dark sky reserves. (Mike Ver Sprill/Shutterstock)

As New Zealand prepares to open borders to its first international tourists,  Australians are being invited into the island country again.

Tourism New Zealand’s latest campaign highlights some of the most popular experiences sought out by Aussie tourists, including “fine dining, jet boating, cycling through vineyards and stargazing in a hot tub in internationally-renowned dark sky reserves.”

Trans-Tasman travellers have historically made up 40 percent of New Zealand’s international arrivals, with around 1.5 million Australians visiting each year.