Australians are still planning to travel this summer, with many choosing to cut back elsewhere rather than abandon their holiday plans.
According to the Allianz Partners Global Travel Confidence Index 2026, 58% of Australians intend to travel over summer.
While 81% are concerned about rising travel costs, 70% said they were reducing non-essential spending to make room for travel and 59% planned to scale back their holiday rather than cancel it.
Average anticipated travel spend among Australian respondents was $4,991, the highest of the five markets surveyed. However, 65% said they did not intend to spend more on luxury travel experiences.
Domestic travel remains a significant part of the market, with 32% of Australian travellers planning to holiday within the country. The research also found 82% consider taking an annual holiday important, while 79% said they were in need of a break.
Travel risks are also influencing planning. Some 59% of Australians are concerned about environmental risks including extreme weather, while 65% cited safety concerns such as crime, terrorism, theft or scams.
Travel insurance remains part of the planning process for many, with 63% of Australians having purchased or expecting to purchase cover for an upcoming holiday. Among those buying insurance, 88% cited protection from unexpected disruptions and 87% said peace of mind was a key reason.
“What we’re seeing is that Australians refuse to give up their summer holidays – they’re a non-negotiable,” said Chris McHugh, CEO, Allianz Partners Australia.
“Rather than cancelling plans altogether, travellers are finding smart ways to make their trips work within tighter budgets, whether that’s cutting back on everyday spending, choosing destinations closer to home, or scaling back on luxury extras.
“The desire to recharge and reconnect is simply too strong to put on hold.”
The findings are based on an Ipsos survey of 1,001 Australian adults conducted between September 25 and October 9 this year.
