Australia named top luxury destination in APAC with Indian travellers leading the charge
![Australia named top luxury destination in APAC with Indian travellers leading the charge](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
The luxury market is booming with Australia set to benefit as 35 per cent of high net-worth travellers in the Asia Pacific region planning a trip Down Under, according to a report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International.
Australia is particularly popular amongst the Indian and Japanese market: it was named the No.1 destination for both regions with 69 per cent of Indian travellers and 25 per cent of Japanese travellers planning a trip here.
High-end gastronomy is the primary driver for luxury travel with 88 per cent planning holidays around food.
Across the APAC region, 68 per cent of travellers are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months. This was especially high in India where 89 per cent of travellers expect to spend more. One in four (25 per cent) of trips planned were celebrations.
Key trends
Increasing demand in India
The most active and engaged travel market, 89 per cent of Indian HNW say they are planning to spend more on travel. Families and friends are touring together to mark key milestones, attend a private function or event, with 38 per cent planning a trip with friends and 33 per cent making theirs a celebratory trip.
Recently wedding expert and founder of Wedded Wonderland, Wendy El-Khoury, told Travel Weekly that Indian expats living in Australia were a key driver of holidays here.
“There are people who moved to Australia on their own who have friends and family that come over from India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong or Singapore for their wedding,” she said.
It is important for the Australian market to be able to accommodate all these requests, which can include a multi-day itinerary around the wedding, she added.
A fascination for food
It also recorded 88 per cent are picking their holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary experience. Acutely aware of dining trends, almost half of the respondents (49 per cent) describe a fine dining experience as an ideal night out. Reinforcing this point, 83 per cent will choose a destination to visit an award-winning restaurant and 35 per cent agreed they would spend more on unique culinary experiences. When choosing a hotel, 81 per cent of HNW travellers make their selection based on fine dining options and 83 per cent choose a destination so they can visit a celebrated restaurant.
Deeper extended experiences
The research among HNW travellers in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India reveals they are traveling frequently with longer holidays especially across the Asia Pacific region. An average of six leisure trips is planned within the next 12 months while 33 per cent of respondents are planning at least seven holidays this year. On average, a short stay comprises three nights while a long stay is two-and-a-half weeks. For many, the kinship and connection within a group enhances the richness of the travel experience, with over 70 per cent choosing to travel with family or friends.
Australian traveller statistics and trends
HNW Australians will take seven trips this year, 87 per cent combine business and leisure, 72 per cent planning a trip in Asia Pacific region, Hong Kong and Japan are their top destinations. Australians are more motivated than other countries to return to places they love (85 per cent) and Australians take the longest trips with 73 per cent planning a minimum two-week getaway. A further 33 per cent taking over 3 weeks (Japanese take the shortest).
Personalised service in their hotel is their top priority. Australians prioritise making local connections (shopping and eating) and Australians highest in the region looking for physical wellness activities.
New traveller personas
With more disposable income for holidays and a growing population of ageing travellers, the research has identified three new categories of affluent travellers. These include:
i) The ‘Venture Travelist’
The next-generation Bleisure tourist, the Venture Travelist prioritizes holiday destinations that will generate business opportunities. While they enjoy their vacation with their family and loved ones, they are always on the lookout to secure a deal. Entrepreneurs at heart, they explore a location, shopping for local products and antiques, and looking to forge business connections with members from the local community.
ii) The ‘Experience Connoisseur’
Predominantly millennials, Experience Connoisseurs plan their leisure travel as an opportunity for personal enrichment. They travel extensively and see the experience as an investment in their mental and physical wellbeing. They want to deeply explore a destination, they value personalisation and actively seek exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences.
iii) The ‘Timeless Adventurer’
Debunking every stereotype of the over-65 ‘silver set travellers’, Timeless Adventurers are keen explorers who want to immerse themselves in a destination. They’re less interested in tourist attractions and more drawn to what gives the destination a sense of place, what makes it unique and memorable.
The findings are from a research report commissioned by Marriott International Luxury Group conducted over a period from April 18, 2024, to May 13, 2024, with frequent international travellers who primarily travel for leisure. The study targeted the wealthiest 10 per cent of residents in Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan with 200 respondents from each market.
We do! 74% of Aussies say yes to destination weddings despite cost-of-living crisis
Latest News
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
REVIEW: Hotel Ottilia Copenhagen: A seamless blend of industrial charm and contemporary Nordic design
Staying in a converted brewery you'd think we'd be sampling the local beers. At Ottilia, it's more the wines!
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
G Adventures offers Aussie agents final chance for Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets in London
It's like in Willy Wonka when it turned out the final ticket was fake. You haven't missed your chance to see Tay Tay!
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden claims the title of Australia’s top attraction
Perth visitors pick Kings Park as Australia's top attraction? Surely quokkas must count in there somewhere.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Saudi Arabia hosts film night at the Sydney Opera House
It is very unfortunate Saudi Arabia had their cinemas shut for 30 years, however they did at least miss Vanilla Sky.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Oslo – is it even a city? Norway’s hilarious new tourism campaign tells travellers not to come
This is one of the best in recent years and there's been some crackers. We want a trip to Norway now!
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Cairns Harbourside Hotel launches new tropically themed event packages
We were in Cairns for TravelDAZE recently, and we will definitely be back, for the accomm if not the weather.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Foreigners to pay the price of being a tourist in Japan
It comes as no surprise to hear that cities bump up prices for tourists, but Japan is being very open about it.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Brisbane Festival 2024 returns from 30 August
Experience a rich tapestry of culture, celebration, and community throughout the city as the Brisbane Festival 2024 returns from 30 August to 21 September. The fifth program from artistic director Louise Bezzina invites guests to experience the pinnacle of artistry with world premieres, Australian exclusives, Queensland commissions, and Brisbane spotlights across 23 days. Tt brings […]
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australian National Maritime Museum celebrates NAIDOC week
Keep the yarning happening Blak brothers and sisters. Plenty more stories to tell, about 60,000 years' worth.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Nobu Bangkok the World’s Highest Nobu Restaurant at EA Rooftop at The Empire
Nobu co-founders Hollywood star Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, plus eponymous chef Nobu Matsuhisa have visited EA Rooftop at the Empire ahead of the official launch of the world’s highest Nobu restaurant in the heart of Bangkok. With unparalleled dining experiences with breathtaking panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline and the Chao Phraya River, […]
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
CLIA prepares for its biggest ever Cruise360 Australasia at ICC Sydney
With record numbers of cruise people expected in one place, expect ICC Sydney to be awash with goss.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
SOUL Festival announces 2024 program in Soneva Fushi in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll
A festival where you leave healthier than you arrived. How do we sign up?
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Saudi Tourism Authority makes debut at Cannes Lions with a speech by CEO Fahd Hamidaddin
There's been quite a few headlines about Saudi's growth into tourism lately - it is definitely a trend worth following!
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Alan Joyce’s $16m bonus in the hands of new QF chair
We miss the days of writing jokes about Alan Joyce all the time, this felt like a real blast from the past!
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Speakers revealed for the 2024 Australian Cruise Association Conference
The cruise world is descending on the 'City of Churches', though we don't think there'll be much praying going on.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Buyers arrive in Rotorua ahead of MEETINGS 2024
A net carbon zero event in Rotorua, also known as Sulphur City! Natural emissions abound here.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
75th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ Festival of Food and Wine
Despite being called the 'carnival of flowers' this festival includes ample amounts of food and wine.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Lighten up’ – Pauline Hanson defends cartoon mocking $9m Queensland’s Robert Irwin, Bluey tourism campaign
It is a well known fact that telling someone to 'lighten up' will always have the exact opposite effect.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
How native content helped Destination Gold Coast shed ‘schoolies’ image
If only Avid Collective could also shed the hazy memories of schoolies from my brain.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Aussie agents join 400 buyers at Thailand’s TTM+ 2024
As far as junkets go, TTM+ must be doing something right as the queue for drinks was huge.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Geoff Donaghy has announced he will step down as CEO of ICC Sydney
With one of the best views in the city, we're sure there will be no shortage of applicants to replace him.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Travel DAZE Exec: Cultural tourism is a key driver of travel, but are we listening to Indigenous communities?
A very important question that we should continue to ask ourselves as an industry.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Carnival scraps the P&O brand after 90 years of cruising from Australia
Like an outdated onboard buffet, P&O is off the menu, and will be gobbled up by the Carnival brand.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Trump faces ban from Aussie travel following recent hush payment conviction
Although it's unlikely, we quite like the idea of seeing Trump star on an episode of Border Security.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Day 2 of MTA Fiji conference had winners, grinners and a bit of speed dating
Speed dating may have been invented for lonely singles but now it firmly belongs to the world of business.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
The Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference (AITCAP) in Melbourne/Naarm
Travel is lifechanging and something everybody should be able to experience. Here at TW we welcome this news!
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Dior returns to The Beverly Hills Hotel for a summer exclusive
If you get a sense of enormous happiness from looking at good design then we recommend this article.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Ticket prices for the Eiffel Tower skyrocket by an eye-watering 20% ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics
Faster, stronger, higher - especially the prices as Paris tourists get gouged during the five rings sports festival.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Parkroyal Melbourne Airport reveals extensive event space revamp
Book a conference here and you don't even have to leave the Tullamarine postcode, which is 3043 for those wondering.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
ON THE SCENE: Phuket – Club Med says it’s all about love and lifestyle, plus Family Oasis
If your mind didn't start immediately playing Haddaway's 'What is love?' when you read this headline, are you human?
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Aviation Partnerships boss hints as to the hot-button topics to be covered at TravelDAZE conference
We're counting down the sleeps to Travel DAZE like a kid before Christmas! Presents to be swapped for sunshine.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Kingfisher Bay Resort is set to light up the skies of K’gari with a new interpretive lightshow
Will the dingoes of K'gari be the ones to ask 'Please turn off the lights...' we wonder.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australian ‘New Caledonia showcase’ roadshow postponed until later this year
Put the arancini balls away - the New Caledonia roadshow has been postponed until later this year.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Gold Coast’s RACV Royal Pines Resort unveils 24m LED mega screen, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere
Too much screen time, or too much screen! At 24m long, this LED at RACV will be a challenge to read from left to right.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Wackadoo! Bluey’s World is set to open in Brisbane
Wackadoo! If this gets out, then the anklebiters will be booking flights themselves.
![](https://thenibbler.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
The Star addresses US takeover rumours in ASX update
Personally, we think the world would be far more interesting if ALL rumours had to be addressed in the ASX.