Australians are increasingly turning to Asia over long-haul Europe trips this winter, according to a new travel survey.
Holafly’s 2026 Summer Travel and eSIM Report reveals Asian destinations feature in six of the top 10 spots that Aussies are heading to between June and August.
Conducted in May with more than 3,000 respondents globally (including 317 Australians), the survey also found more than 80 per cent of Australians were planning to travel this summer.
Japan was our number one destination, attracting 21.4 per cent of Australian travellers, despite falling from 30.6 per cent the year before.
Bali followed at nine per cent, up slightly from 8.3 per cent in 2025, ahead of the UK (7.6 per cent), New Zealand (6.2 per cent) and Thailand (4.8 per cent), a new entrant in the top five.
Nadia Cintra, Holafly International Expansion Manager, said the data showed travel ambitions had survived cost pressures and global uncertainty.
“Australians, in particular, are proving that travel isn’t a luxury they’re willing to cut. Instead, they’re adapting from the default Euro summer, opting for closer, high-value destinations in Asia,” Ms Cintra said.
While Europe remained the second most popular continent overall, with seven mentions in the top 20 including Italy, Greece and France, only the UK cracked the top five.
The United States saw the steepest decline year on year, falling from 11.1 per cent in 2025 to 4.8 per cent in 2026.
Other destinations gaining ground in 2026 include Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan, none of which featured in the top 20 last year.
