Falling dollar hits hip pockets of Aussie travellers

AUSSIE travellers have been hit hard by the falling dollar, so where are the two best places to stretch your dollar further?

Kyoto’s Rokuonji Temple ... Japan is one of only two destinations offering Aussie travell

AUSSIE travellers have been hit hard by the falling dollar, with only two destinations giving international bargain hunters bang for their buck in the past twelve months — Japan and Indonesia.

The 2014 Expedia Foreign Exchange Index, released today, reveals the Australian dollar gained 2.3 per cent on the Yen and 7 per cent on the Rupiah over the past twelve months.

But it has lost 13.9 per cent on the New Zealand dollar, 15.1 per cent on the US dollar and a massive 28.1 per cent on the Malaysian Ringgit.

In 2013, the index had Australia gaining on eight countries, including a 0.68 per cent gain on the US.

Expedia ranks Japan as the number one bargain destination for Australians after gaining 15.52 per cent against the Yen in 2013 — 17.82 per cent over the past two years.

Atilla Royaards, from Surrey Hills in New South Wales, is using the opportunity to visit the land of the rising sun this weekend, a dream destination.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Japan and Asia is more affordable,” he said. “Last year I went to Vietnam. The exchange rate meant I could eat out each night and get an extra drink if I wanted it.”

Top attraction ... snow-covered Mount Fuji is seen from Tokyo, Japan. Picture: Yoshikazu Tsuno

Brazil is the destination of choice for Johanna Gilbert from Paddington in New South Wales, but for the 21 year old on her first post-university adventure there may not be as many bargains as expected.

After the Aussie dollar gained 8.2 per cent on the Brazilian Real in 2013, the 2014 Foreign Exchange Index showed a slump of 2 per cent loss as the country benefits financially from the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

All hail Brazil ... the country’s currency has enjoyed a resurgence ahead of the World Cup, which means bad news for Aussie travellers. Picture: Felipe Dana

But the expense will be minimal compared to Europe, the other potential destination on her travel list.

“I looked at the hotels and accommodation in Europe and they were so expensive,” Ms Gilbert said. “After paying for them, I would have next to nothing left.”

Brazil allows Ms Gilbert to stay in comfortable accommodation compared to European hostels in Europe and ensures her parents won’t be receiving calls in the middle of the night asking for money.

Georg Ruebensal, Managing Director of Expedia Australia and New Zealand, says Aussies aren’t being deterred from international travel, but they need to be smarter with their spending.

“In addition to keeping a close eye on exchange rates, hunting for deals, being flexible with dates and bundling hotels and flights to benefit from additional discounts are also great ways to stretch the travel budget further,” he said.