Travelzoo Asia Pacific has released its annual subscriber survey findings that showed Asia-Pacific travellers’ appetite for leisure travel remains strong, regardless of economic uncertainty.
Other key figures that will shape this year’s leisure travel industry include an increase in overall spending and the rising influence of Mainland Chinese travellers.
The survey forms part of Travelzoo Asia Pacific annual initiative to better understand travel behaviour and trends of its regional subscribers. Conducted in collaboration with WIMI1, a consumer insights consultancy firm, nearly 3,000 Travelzoo subscribers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and Japan responded between December 1, 2012 and January 22, 2013.
According to the survey, average travel frequency in the region will increase to 4.5 from 3.6 of last year. Regional spending will also see a similar growth of around 23 percent over that of last year. Although economic uncertainty and inflation continues to weigh heavily across the region, these figures show that Asian travellers’ appetite to travel not only remains unabated, but will instead only grow stronger.
When segmented by country, Australian travellers will be the biggest spenders in 2013. According to the survey, Travelzoo Australian subscribers will fork out on average USD$8,867 and travelling 3.8 times, compared to last year’s figures of USD$6,877 and travelling 2.8 times.
“What the survey shows is that the desire for leisure travel remains strong,” said Travelzoo Asia Pacific CEO, Jason Yap. “At the same time, you cannot deny the growing influence of Mainland China travellers on the leisure travel market.
“Buoyed by a strong Renminbi, and a growing passion for unique travel experiences, our discerning subscribers in China are highlighting their strong travel appetite, which has changed considerably over the past year and is driving the regional travel trends.
“In addition, the results underscore Travelzoo’s success in providing high quality recommendations that speak directly to their increasingly sophisticated travel inclinations.”
The Mainland Chinese’s rising influence on the leisure travel industry was a key highlight of the survey. According to the survey figures, Mainland Chinese subscribers, with 6.9 leisure trips on average that includes getaways and long-haul holidays, will travel the most in 2013. This is a significant increase from last year’s average figure of 4.2. They will also be the second biggest spenders after the Australian leisure seekers. Figures show that they will spend 20 percent more than last year, amounting to USD$7,117 on average.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong travellers are forecasted to spend 22 percent more but travel slightly less in 2013. According to the figures, they are looking to spend USD$5,909 on average but reduce their average trip to 4.2 from five last year. Inflation and stronger overseas currency may be key reasons for the slight curb in travel, as Hong Kong travellers are expecting to spend more per trip than they were used to.
Japanese travellers desire to travel continue to remain strong, with 4.7 trips on average compared to last year’s 3.4. However, the weaker Japanese yen and the resurgence of inbound travel after the Tsunami, with less discounted deals for local travellers, will see this group’s spending remain nearly flat at USD$4,342 this year.
Taiwan travellers will follow their Australian and Mainland Chinese counterparts by travelling more and spending more. Figures show that they will spend USD$4,050 on average, and travel on average three times.