The latest report from the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO), titled Australians on Holiday – International Leisure Travel Trends 2024, reveals a strong recovery in Australia’s international travel market. Drawing from data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), consumer surveys, and feedback from CATO members, the report highlights notable growth in both travel volumes and evolving travel preferences post-pandemic.
In 2024, Australian outbound travel reached 11.7 million departures, with 6.9 million Australians choosing to travel for holidays. This represents 59% of all outbound trips, a slight increase from 57% in 2023, reinforcing the continued popularity of leisure travel.
Of the 6.9 million Australians who traveled for leisure, 1.7 million booked their trips with CATO-affiliated tour operators, emphasizing the ongoing demand for experienced travel providers to help meet the changing needs of travelers.
The report also highlights an expanding variety of travel purposes, including positive growth in business, education, and visits to friends and relatives (VFR), showing that Australians are diversifying their international travel experiences.
