Nearly Half of Aussies Make Travel Savings a Top Priority in 2025

Sydney. (Tourism Australia) 

Australians are embracing travel like never before, with a recent survey by Money.com.au revealing that nearly half (49%) of Australians are prioritising saving for travel this year. This growing trend of valuing experiences reflects a shift in financial priorities as Aussies strive to balance leisure and pragmatic financial planning.

The Savings Breakdown

The survey, which included 1,000 respondents across Australia, highlighted the top savings goals for Australians:

• Saving for travel: 49%
• Building an emergency fund: 44%
• Retirement savings: 32%
• Buying a house: 25%
• Investing in shares or property: 19%

Sean Callery, finance expert at Money.com.au, commented on the findings:


“Travel is clearly a priority for Australians heading into 2025, ahead of other major financial goals like buying a house or investing. This highlights a growing trend of valuing experiences and making memories, alongside traditional financial security and planning for tomorrow.”

Generational and Regional Insights

The desire to travel spans generations, with Baby Boomers leading the pack (54%), followed closely by Gen Z (52%), Millennials (48%), and Gen X (47%).

Regionally, Western Australians topped the list, with 54% making travel savings a priority, followed by Queenslanders at 53%. In contrast, residents of New South Wales (46%) and South Australia (47%) were the least likely to focus on saving for travel.

Sean Callery noted Western Australia’s unique position:

“Western Australians have a natural travel advantage with their closer proximity to destinations like Bali and Singapore, which are consistently among the most popular choices for Australians.”

Rising Costs, Growing Tourism

Despite an 8% rise in holiday travel and accommodation prices over the 12 months to October 2024, Australians’ appetite for travel remains undeterred. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), tourism GDP grew by 9.1% in the 2023/24 financial year, with domestic tourism consumption rising by 1.7% to $160.2 billion.

This resilience underscores Australians’ dedication to making travel a reality, with one-third of survey respondents indicating they spend up to a year saving for their trips.

What This Means for Tourism in 2025

The findings suggest a robust outlook for both domestic and international travel in 2025. As more Australians prioritise saving for holidays, destinations and travel operators can expect increased demand, particularly for affordable travel packages that align with Aussies’ budgeting strategies.

Travel Savings Tips for 2025

• Start a dedicated travel fund to keep savings on track.
• Research travel deals and book early to lock in lower prices.
• Explore nearby destinations to cut down on travel costs.

Australia’s passion for travel shows no sign of slowing down, even in the face of rising costs. With nearly half of the population prioritising travel savings, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for tourism both at home and abroad.

For more insights and travel trends, visit www.money.com.au.