Bookings for SA holidays already rocketing as overseas travel ends
A 100 per cent jump in bookings for RAA Travel’s SA holidays so far this year is expected to skyrocket further now overseas travel is off the agenda.
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As Australians suddenly adjust to a world without overseas travel or cruise holidays, interest in backyard getaways is soaring.
Cheap petrol is further fuelling the thirst for “staycation” holidays within South Australia, with regular unleaded pump prices falling below $1 a litre. RAA Travel general manager Gina Norman said bookings for their SA Experience packages had doubled compared with the same period last year.
The interest had jumped as overseas destinations looked increasingly risky because of coronavirus and is expected to rocket following the Federal Government’s advice for Australians not to travel overseas.
The Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale, Murray River and Kangaroo Island – helped by the post-bushfire #BookThemOut campaign – are hot destinations at the moment.
The RAA’s SA Experience packages range from tailored self-drive day trips with experiences from wine tasting and pasta-making to hot air ballooning, through to longer trips with accommodation such as a four-day guided walk along the River Murray with nights on a houseboat.
Ms Norman said the lure of a quick weekend away amid the turmoil of coronavirus was likely to grow. “Falling petrol prices will also give it a boost,” she said.
“It’s been down to 91c a litre and is also cheaper than usual in regional areas which is great for a driving holiday.
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“Demand has been strong but I think in the next few weeks, it will be even stronger due to a level of fatigue. People have their pandemic plans in places; they are switching to working from home but then they will want something to look forward to in the form of a short local holiday.
“It is also an opportunity to go somewhere, relax away from the constant reports about coronavirus and dream where they want to go further afield when this is all over.”
Adelaide average petrol prices are now about $1 a litre, compared with an average $1.50 in the December quarter last year, according to RAA figures – a saving of about $30 to fill the tank of a typical family sedan.
A driving holiday with family also helped overcome social distancing because healthy family members could stay together, Ms Norman said.
“People still see SA as safe, easy to get around and with wonderful places to explore,” she said. “They still want their holidays, and with overseas travel off the agenda for the immediate future, I think short local breaks are going to be very popular.”