The Great Escape: Top Performing Regions Revealed As Aussies Hit The Road

Aussies are road tripping this summer as Victoria and New South Wales continue to embrace their newfound freedom.

Leading hotel group, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac, can exclusively reveal which regions are set to experience a boom in local travel through road trips and long weekends as intrastate and interstate travel is embraced by our two most populous states.

The New South Wales regions experiencing a surge in bookings are;

-Newcastle
-Merimbula
-Moree
-Toukley/ Central Coast
-Towradgi/ Wollongong region  
The Victorian regions experiencing a surge in bookings are;

-Bendigo
-Shepparton
-Horsham
-Warragul
-Seymour

Research conducted by Choice Hotels reinforces that Aussies are set to embark on local road trips, with 80 per cent of Australians electing road travel as the preferred mode of transport. Moreover, the research uncovered that the number of Australians that were planning a short break this year has soared from just 15 per cent in 2019 to 91 per cent in 2021.

Choice Hotels’ portfolio of top performing destinations are easily connected by road trips, priming the tourism sector for a bumper summer with travel restrictions in the rear-view mirror.

With both powerhouse states – New South Wales and Victoria – enjoying free movement with a fully reopened border, Trent Fraser, CEO of Choice Hotels Asia-Pac said: “The coming months will be a source of great excitement and relief for travellers, as they finally get back out on the road to enjoy the beautiful sights and extraordinary experiences in their own backyard.”

From the popular King Valley wine region that surrounds Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, to coastal living and abundant wildlife in Coffs Harbour at Quality Hotel City Centre; Hamptons inspired ambience at The Beachcomber, Ascend Hotel Collection in Toukley on the Central Coast– regional travel is back on the agenda for New South Wales and Victoria, and is here to stay.

Overall, 71 per cent of Australians are opting for intra-state travel and road trips that take four hours or less – perfect for that short break away to reset and recharge. Additionally, 64 per cent of Australians have cited mental health and a change of scenery as two key motivators for taking a holiday in 2021, with 80 per cent of Victorians indicating mental health as the key influence for travel.

Mr Fraser said: “All Australians have had a tough couple of years but those in Victoria and New South Wales have certainly done it the toughest. We all know lockdowns and restrictions have taken a toll on our wellbeing, in particular our mental health. As a result, Australians are looking to use this window of freedom to take some much-needed time away from their everyday life to getaway and enjoy all the travel experiences Australia has to offer.

“With so many great locations throughout New South Wales and Victoria it’s no wonder that Aussies are embracing the chance to escape for a short break to somewhere local or across the border for a change of scenery, or to reunite with family and friends,” he added.

To encourage Aussies to book a getaway and hit the road, Choice Hotels is offering 10% off when Choice Privileges Members book direct before 30 November, 2021*.

To book your next break, head to www.choicehotels.com  

*Ts&Cs apply

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