We’re looking at where we’ll be in 2023.
The new year has begun – and with it a new beginning and new new adventures.
Where are we heading? Well, according to the latest Finder data, 14% of Australians “go abroad” as part of their New Year’s resolutions.
With this in mind, here we are and the major travel companies, it will be interesting to visit in 2023.
Plus, we’ve included some travel trends you might want to jump into to stay ahead of the curve.
Top 10 travel destinations for 2023
- Tokyo, Japan
- Dubai United Arab Emirates
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Bali, Indonesia
- Nadi, Fiji
- London, UK
- Melbourne Australia
- Paris France
- Bright, Australia
- Mumbai, India
1. Tokyo, Japan
Japan is first on every person’s list.
When it was announced that the borders would fully reopen in September 2022, Skyscanner noticed a whopping 92% increase in searches for Japan on its site.
Similarly, KAYAK’s 2023 Travel Trends Report recently found that Sydney to Tokyo was the most searched route for 2023.
Can’t you love him? From its neon-lit streets and hidden shrines and temples to its landscape of snow-capped mountains and cherry blossom-lined waters, it is truly unparalleled anywhere else on earth.
Book a flight to Tokyo
2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Home to the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa) and not one but two 7-star hotels, Dubai is a dream destination for luxury lovers.
FYI, work is big and splurging on vacation is at the moment (see below).
During Black Friday, Dubai was one of the most popular outdoor destinations booked on Finder.
In 2022, it was the seventh most booked international destination through Flight Center.
In 2023 it will host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in November and December.
Book a flight to Dubai
3. Auckland, New Zealand
For Australians, New Zealand is a quick trip that can be managed over a long weekend when you’re flying in from the east coast keeping annual vacation days in your back pocket.
If we had to pick a city, Auckland is the place to be.
She usually commands the cheapest prices from Australia and is a stone’s throw from the North Central region. During the summer, this area overflows with sporting events and festivals.
Highlights include the first Harvey Norman NRL All Stars tournament to be held in New Zealand (11 February), the first FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoff tournament in 2023 (17-23 February) and the foodie Festival of Flavors of Plenty (24 March – 2 April).
As of November 2022, New Zealand Holidays accounted for 42% of the aviation hub’s international bookings.
Book a flight to Auckland
4. Bali, Indonesia
This wouldn’t be a proper list without Aussie fan favorite Bali.
For anyone looking to travel abroad while keeping a shoestring budget, KAYAK has named the Indonesian island as one of its most affordable international destinations for 2023. This is based on economy return flights.
To get an idea of the costs, these are the average economy return flight costs on some of the cheapest KAYAK routes to Bali:
Book a flight to Bali
5- Nadi, Fiji
The idyllic islands of Fiji appeal to just about everyone – from romantics looking to swim in infinity-edge pools and adventure seekers wanting to move to the island to families looking for a getaway where you don’t have to leave the resort.
Another draw card for Fiji is the cost.
According to KAYAK, a Sydney to Fiji trip is one of the most affordable trips you can take with an average fare of $830 in economy.
Jetstar and Virgin Australia both offer budget-style seats to get you there on the cheap.
Book a flight to Fiji
6. London, UK (then on to Italy and Greece)
Book your flight to London to arrive by May 6th and you’ll be part of history as the world stops for the coronation of Charles III.
However, this is not the only reason to visit London.
Named the most booked tourist destination in the world by Flight Centre, it is a popular embarkation point in Europe. If you missed out on European Summer last year, now’s your chance to catch some revenge by reserving your spot for 2023.
When you do, be sure to add the usual suspects from Rome and the Greek Islands to your itinerary. (Psst – they are on Flight Center’s list of most anticipated destinations for 2023).
Book a flight to London
7. Melbourne, Australia
While traveling internationally is what we’ve all been waiting for for years, Skyscanner has discovered that half of us still have plans to travel domestically this year.
Among capital cities, Wotif and Webjet have named Australia’s cultural capital AKA Melbourne as their number one domestic destination.
Love the hotel life? This year Melbourne welcomes The Ritz-Carlton (March 2023), Mandarin Oriental (TBC) and The Motley Fool (January 2023).
Book a flight to Melbourne
8. Paris, France
Now that you’ve finished binge season 3 of the Emily in Paris You may be inspired to create itineraries for the city of love.
If you do, you’ll be in good company.
Expedia’s 2023 Extraordinary Travel Trends report found that 29% of Australians booked their trips after seeing them on a show or in a movie.
For the gram, we suggest checking out the Place de l’Estrapade where Emily’s apartment is, the Palais Royal gardens to see if you can find your new best friend, and Le Chateau de Sonnay, a winery you can tour. While working on your marketing campaign, of course.
Book a flight to Paris
9. Bright, Australia
Staying local but want to go somewhere off the beaten track? The answer could be Bright in High Country Victoria.
Sitting at the foot of Mount Buffalo is the ultimate haven for outdoorsmen with a wealth of hiking trails and biking trails.
During the winter, it’s an ideal starting point for downhill hopping at Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, and Selwyn.
Book a flight to Melbourne
10. Mumbai, India
Filled with culture, history, architecture and sports, Mumbai is a feast for the senses.
In fact, it is the hottest emerging destination for families and couples on Skyscanner and has seen a 107% increase in searches between 2019 and 2022.
If you need more of an excuse to explore this cosmopolitan mecca, its Wankhede stadium will be playing some matches of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup between October and November.
Book a flight to Mumbai
Top 4 travel trends for 2023
Thanks to the pandemic, the landscape of travel has changed dramatically.
For many, it has given us the space and time to focus on what’s important.
For the industry, it has made flexibility and safety a must.
Here’s what we and travel companies predict for the travel trend in 2023.
1. Spending time in nature
Woods, cabins, and the country take a front seat as we prioritize turning off devices and surrounding ourselves with nature.
Wildlife-spotting and hiking are our top travel activities of the year, according to Skyscanner.
Of Australians surveyed for the Booking.com travel forecast report, 62% said they seek an off-network trip where they can park it.
2. Flaunt in the name of quality
Carpe diem and no regrets ring in 2023 as Australians splash out to add luxuries to their itineraries.
“If anything, travelers prioritize high-quality travel experiences and carefully invest in options that are right for them to ensure they make the most of travel opportunities in the current climate,” said KAYAK Brand Director Nicola Carmichael.
Between 2019 and 2022, Skyscanner saw a 250% increase in seat selection purchases, and Booking.com revealed that 46% of Australians plan to splash out on making sure every experience while traveling is the absolute best.
This tendency is not lost in flight protection either.
As a result of this pandemic, we are investing in quality insurance more and more.
Last year, 95% of Flight Center customers booked premium insurance. Only 5% had standard insurance. We expect these numbers to continue into 2023.
3. Longer holidays
Slow travel is on the rise. If you haven’t caught the term yet, it’s the idea of spending more time in one place and immersing yourself in the destination rather than moving through many countries in a short amount of time.
The Booking.com report finds that nearly half of us (48%) would prefer one or two long trips over several short trips.
4. Reconnect with family, friends and co-workers
Whether it’s a trip back home, a multigenerational vacation or a work getaway, physical contact has never been so important.
This year, reuniting with significant people is a major driver in our travel decisions, with Skyscanner finding that 55% of us are heading abroad to reconnect.
Booking.com is also seeing a trend of employee trips to bring remote workers together.
Are you ready to travel more in 2023? Check out the latest and greatest travel deals to keep more money in your travel fund.