Why Aussie singles are obsessed with Bali and Japan

This destination is now the favourite among Aussie solo travellers after replacing a country that has held the top spot since 2017.

Asia is a hotspot for Australians travelling solo and there’s one destination singles seem to love more than any other: Bali.

Online travel agency Agoda has analysed bookings made on its platform for those checking in solo on Fridays and Saturdays to find the destinations loved most by singles.

For Australians, the wildly popular Indonesian holiday island of Bali came out on top, followed by Tokyo, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand.

Agoda Oceania director Zsuzsanna Janos told news.com.au Japan has been the top international destination for Aussie solo travellers since 2017 and was replaced by Bali this year.

“Solo travel among Aussies saw a 14 per cent growth in the three years leading up to Covid and we are seeing trends continuing post Covid,” she said.

“As the far-flung corners of the world are becoming easier to reach, Aussies are excited to explore destinations with the ultimate freedom that comes from solo travel.”

But she said the top three destinations were most popular because of their proximity to Australia and value for money.

Agoda booking data shows Bali is top of the list when it comes to booking a solo trip. Picture: Agung Parameswara/Getty Images

Ms Janos’ advises solo travellers to book in advance to get the best deals and share their itineraries with someone they trust before travelling

“If you are travelling solo and want to connect with others there are lots of activities from tours, to surf lessons and cooking classes, that let you make the most of your solo travel,” she said.

“Trust your instincts when it comes to situations abroad and don’t be afraid to remove yourself from situations that don’t feel right for you.”

Australians’ obsession with Bali is clear. So much so, the Indonesian government is pleading with Aussie tourists to explore more of the country.

Lombok, Labuan Bajo, Borodudur, Lake Toba and Likupang have been selected as five destinations the government want to drive international tourists to, instead of crowding Bali.

“We want Australians to see beyond Bali and create interest around the rest of Indonesia, showcasing the best of the country to Australian tourists that wouldn’t have previously known about,” Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Made Ayu Marthini told news.com.au.

“We believe tourism creates jobs and with 17,000 islands in Indonesia, we want to spread the opportunity around our beautiful country.”

New measures introduced this year to control tourism in Bali, where Aussies are the top foreign visitors, have included an official tourist dos and don’ts list, a hotline for anyone to dob in misbehaving travellers, as well as a special task force to monitor foreigners’ activities. From February 14, international travellers will need to pay a IDR 150,000 tourist tax, which is about $15.

Australians are heading to Tokyo in droves. Picture: Richard A. Brooks / AFP

Asia is not only a solo traveller’s paradise.

Expedia’s latest trending data revealed Asian destinations dominated the top 10 locations Aussies want to visit over the Christmas and New Year period, with Tokyo ranked eight on that list, not far behind Denpasar in Indonesia, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and Singapore.

news.com.au also recently revealed a whopping eight out of the top 10 international destinations that Aussies are searching for most on Airbnb are in Japan.

Data from the accommodation platform obtained exclusively by news.com.au showed from January 1 to September 15 Australian users were searching Japanese destinations the most for stays in November and December this year.

Taito City in Tokyo was the most popular international destinational, followed by Kyoto City in Kyoto, Shibuya City in Tokyo, and Shinjuku City in Tokyo.

Airbnb Australia said eight out of 10 of the top trending destinations being from one country was a lot, but Australia’s love for Japan was unsurprising.

“Australians have always been enthusiastic travellers to Japan, enjoying the amazing skiing, food and culture that the country offers so it’s no surprise to see Japan feature so highly in the international searches for Australian travellers this summer – especially those looking to escape the heat,” Airbnb Australia and New Zealand manager Susan Wheeldon told news.com.au.

In April this year Japan removed all Covid-related travel requirements for tourists, including the need for Covid testing and vaccination certificates.

It means this is the first summer holiday period for Australians in years that they are able to travel freely.