Favourite holiday destinations:

It seems the best known holiday destinations are the preferred ones for many Australians.

A recent study of 50,000 Australians aged 14+ by Roy Morgan Research shows that most of us would prefer to holiday in the United States than anywhere else.

The study, which was conducted in June, showed that 2.5 million people intend holidaying there in the next two years. This is up from 1.8 million - an increase of almost 40% - in the four years since the previous survey of a similar size.

The next most popular holiday destination for Australians is New Zealand at 2.4 million people – a figure that has declined significantly since the Christchurch earthquakes. At its peak, New Zealand was preferred by 2.8 million people prior to the first earthquake last year, but this year is still a 10% improvement from the 2008 survey.

Despite the London Olympics, England has suffered a slight decline in the past 10 months but an increase of 5% to 2.2 million between 2008 and 2012.

The top 5 international holiday destinations of Australians are rounded out by France which was nominated by 1.6 million people (14% increase since 2008) and Italy, nominated by 1.5 million people (15% increase).

According to Roy Morgan’s International Director of Tourism, Travel and Leisure, Jane Ianniello, there are a number of factors that have put the US on top.

“The United States has grown strongly partly as a result of the stronger Australian dollar and cheaper flights, but also a continuation of a long-term trend since early 2007 when Australians’ concerns about terrorism subsided.”

She said that the media coverage of the Christchurch earthquakes in late February and June 2011 had an immediate impact on tourism choices.

“The so-called ‘Shaky Isles caused New Zealand to lose appeal as a holiday destination; both South and North Islands have suffered a decline in the number of Australians who would like to holiday there,” said Ms Ianniello.

***

What is your top international holiday destination? Let us know in 25 words or less and you could win this wonderful book from Lonely Planet called Great Journeys (perfect for a Father’s Day present perhaps?).