Travel trends 2023: What Aussies will want in their next holiday

From luxe coffee machines, outdoor entertaining and even a hint of White Lotus, here’s exactly what Aussies want from a holiday in 2023.

Predicting the future, especially when it comes to where Aussies want to go and what they’d like to see and do, is a brave challenge if the last few years are anything to go by.

But with 2022 almost behind us, and the lure of what awaits us in the new year just days away – it’s becoming clear exactly what Aussies hope to experience on their next holiday both at home and abroad.

In a recent survey outlining the 2023 Expedia Group Travel Trends Report, which looks at travel demands heading into the new year, experts say the next year marks the start of a new set of demands for the industry.

Here’s how experts say we will be holidaying in 2023. Picture: iStock

Instead of sticking with the conventional, Aussies will be eyeing off locations they may have become familiar with on a hit TV series – think mountains and horseback riding in Montana in Yellowstone or lapping up the luxury of Sicily in The White Lotus.

“Internationally, one of the biggest trends we’re seeing with travellers, is Aussies looking to book a trip to a destination after seeing it on a popular new streaming series or movie, a trend Expedia has coined ‘Set-Jetters’,” the brand’s general manager Daniel Finch told news.com.au. “Aussies are also booking trips to culturally rich cities as events return around the world.”

At home, Mr Finch predicts cities will be making a strong comeback.

“Sydney and Melbourne are top of the list for travellers next year, as well as major hubs just outside the city, including the Gold Coast and Newcastle which are also trending as convenient local escapes.”

Holiday-makers are seeking out accommodation options with more ways to save money, such as cooking facilities to eliminate dining out and takeaway. Picture: iStock

While hotel stays are making on the up in terms of search, Mr Finch said certain styles of holiday homes are proving more popular than ever before – especially when it comes to accommodation offerings with extensive entertaining spaces and cooking facilities.

“When we look at holiday homes, Aussies are craving private holiday homes with lots of space and excellent amenities particularly when it comes to the kitchen,” he said, highlighting properties such as ‘Pittwater Paradise’ in Sydney’s Newport and ‘The Lair’ in Kangaroo Valley, NSW.

A home with views and a great entertaining area, such as Pittwater paradise in Sydney’s Newport, is what Aussies want from their next holiday in 2023. Picture: Pittwater Paradise Newport/Stayz

The Lair in the NSW Kangaroo Valley is an ideal spot across all seasons, with Mr Finch highlighting it as a perfect ‘foodie’ location. Picture: The Lair Kangaroo Valley/Stayz

“During the pandemic, we saw Aussies fall back in love with holidaying at home. It reminded many Aussies of how many incredible experiences we have in our own backyard.

“More than two years on, and the increased demand for domestic travel has continued.”

Mr Finch said demand for holiday homes in some of the country’s top regional destinations – such as Bright and Marysville in Victoria, and Crackenback and Goulburn in NSW, is up by more than 90 per cent on holiday home booking platform, Stayz.

Aussies have increased demands when it comes to what they want from a holiday home in 2023. Picture: Pittwater Paradise Newport/Stayz

Holiday homes where Aussies can use their cooking skills learnt throughout the pandemic are high on the demands list. Picture: Pittwater Paradise Newport/Stayz

In addition, interest for “mountainside destinations” (hello Yellowstone) is also up by 50 per cent this year.

“It’s clear Aussies are craving private holiday homes with lots of space and great views and we expect that to continue in 2023 – with large whole homes with plenty of space for your family, friends and even four-legged friends.”

With the cost of living – and travel – skyrocketing in some regions (especially when airfares come into play), Australians are finding more ways to be able to enjoy that weekend or longer stay with family and friends without breaking the bank, by cutting down on costs in areas such as dining out and expensive activities.

According to the Expedia group, having a barbecue or outdoor cooking amenity is the highest on the kitchen list when reserving a stay.

As a result, booking platforms have indicated kitchen credentials are a must, with nearly half of Aussie travellers opting for accommodation options where they can simply cook in their holiday homes for the duration of their stay without needing to dine out or order in.

Mr Finch highlighted ‘entertaining at home’ – or homes with ‘Foodie-menities’ – were in hot demand, indicating some stays would save guests up to $700 on their next trip if they replaced eating out with eating in.

“With the cost of living an ongoing consideration for Aussies, we know they are continually looking for new ways to save and staying in and cooking in your own private holiday home is a great solution to help cut down costs,” Mr Finch said, noting the top five cooking amenities that Aussies demand from a holiday home include outdoor kitchens or barbecues, fancy coffee machines, air fryers, pizza ovens and access to gardens with fresh produce.

Pizza ovens within a holiday home came in the top five ‘foodie’ demands. Picture: iStock

A quality coffee machine is now wanted by holiday-makers in their accommodation. Picture: iStock

Of the research, Mr Finch said it was “interesting” to see how Aussies in particular had pushed away from being influenced by social media, are more influenced by ‘real life’ and even TV streaming platforms heading into 2023.

“No doubt the extra time we spent bringing series over the last two years has had a significant impact – we’re spending hours being immersed into a destination and this is now having an impact on our travel habits.”

This writer visited ‘Foodie-menities’ property Pittwater Paradise as a guest of Stayz