Aussies are being urged to book a winter trip and support regional communities across the country.
The appeal comes as new research shows nearly a quarter (23%) of Australians have cancelled or postponed their winter travel plans due to fuel concerns.
The study commissioned by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia reveals that among those travellers who had planned a winter getaway (42%), more than half have changed their plans because of fuel prices and availability.
“Australians are telling us they want to travel, but they also want confidence that they can plan and budget for their journey,” said Margy Osmond, TTF CEO.
“Making fuel information easier to access would help more travellers get on the road and support regional communities.”
Ms Osmond noted that when travellers postpone or cancel a road trip or domestic holiday, there can be a ripple effect throughout regional Australia.
“Regional tourism operators have done it tough over recent years and they shouldn’t be losing business because travellers lack confidence in something as fundamental as fuel,” she said.
The nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 Australians conducted in the past week found fuel concerns are discouraging more than two-thirds (68%) of Australians from taking a drive holiday.
Fuel price was ranked as the leading concern, followed by fuel availability and then access to reliable information on fuel costs and availability while travelling.
However, 65% of Australians surveyed said they would be more likely to take a road trip in regional Australia if they could easily access information about where fuel was available and prices along their route.
Ms Osmond said the findings reinforced the tourism industry’s call for a nationally consistent fuel information platform to give motorists real-time information about fuel prices and availability across the country.
“It’s encouraging that state and federal ministers have already discussed a national fuel information platform and recognised the value it could provide to travellers.
“We now have an opportunity to work together to turn that support into a practical tool for Australians planning their next trip.
“Australia has no shortage of incredible regional destinations, but travellers need confidence that they can get from A to B without unnecessary stress, uncertainty or surprise costs.
“A single national fuel information platform would be a practical, common-sense solution that gives travellers greater certainty and helps get more visitors back into regional communities.”
