UK number one source market for Australia bookings
Travelport shares GDS data as country prepares to reopen
AbJimroe
The UK is the number one source market for those due to travel to Australia when it reopens its borders next week, according to data from Travelport.
The global distribution system (GDS) put the UK in first place of its top ten list for forward bookings for 2022, ahead of arrivals from India, Nepal, the US, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Germany, the Philippines and Canada.
International flight bookings to Australia made via GDS systems increased by 93% on February 7 as the country announced its reopening date for vaccinated travellers.
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are the three most-popular destinations.
Solo travelers made up 35% of Australian-bound flight bookings, making it the largest traveller segment.
Travelport said this may be down to Australian expats eager to return home no longer being required to face mandatory two-week hotel quarantine.
February 2022 is the most popular month to travel to Australia from all future bookings, making up 45% of reservations.
And Travelport data suggest travellers are looking to stay longer. The average length of an international trip from Australia has increased to 32 days in 2022, 10 days longer than the 22-day average in 2019.
In terms of Aussies travelling abroad in 2022, the UK is the second most-popular destination, behind India.
