Save
A nation of cheap travellers
Nearly one in two Australians consider themselves to be thrifty travellers, but when they do spend money on holidays, a number of areas do stand out.

A nation of cheap travellers
Nearly one in two Australians consider themselves to be thrifty travellers, but when they do spend money on holidays, a number of areas do stand out.

A new ING survey has found 47 per cent of Aussie travellers stick to a conservative travel budget and restrict unnecessary splurging when they do holiday.
But when they do spend money, the research revealed accommodation, cultural and historical experiences, and eating out to be the top three most important things Australians do choose to splurge on.
Half of respondents (50 per cent) agreed that off-peak travel and the visiting of less-touristy areas would also provide cost savings.
Nearly 30 per cent (29 per cent) of respondents also considered travel to more affordable destinations or “second cities” as a way to save more money.
ING has shown that there are eight priority areas where Australians do value spending money:
1. Accommodation (70 per cent)
2. Cultural or historical experiences (68 per cent)
3. Eating out (61 per cent)
4. Shopping (24 per cent)
5. Sporty activities (20 per cent)
6. Buying gifts for family and friends (20 per cent)
7. “Thrilling” activities (19 per cent)
8. Clubbing and nightlife (18 per cent)
Acknowledging that we are a nation looking to minimise money waste, even when we travel, ING head of retail Melanie Evans said Australians stick to budgets “that don’t allow for frivolous spending”.
She also commented that “when it comes to cutting back on holiday spending, one of the easiest ways is opting for a card that doesn’t charge unnecessary overseas fees”.
“It’s great to see a quarter (26 per cent) of Aussies are already using credit or debit cards that don’t charge international or ATM withdrawal fees,” she said.
“But there are still a number of Aussies who are burdened by carrying an excessive ‘travel wallet’ and being charged fees that could be avoided.”
The research also revealed that half of travellers (51 per cent) still carry a mixed wallet when travelling, incorporating cash, travel cards and debit cards.
About the author

About the author


Expenses
Half-price flight scheme launches today
Aussies are being offered half-price flights as the government looks to spur domestic travel to regions it has defined as key to economic recovery. ...Read more

Expenses
Insurance prices rise despite payout falls
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen insurer payouts fall by $500 million, but Australian consumers are continuing to pay more, the consumer watchdog has revealed. ...Read more

Expenses
CBA cops civil proceedings for overcharged interest
ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Bank over the bank charging an interest rate on business overdraft accounts that was substantially higher tha...Read more

Expenses
What are the top 10 most expensive cities in the world?
Logistical issues and currency fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the most expensive cities in the world drastically change, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Expenses
Sydney adviser pleads guilty to misappropriating $2.9m
A Sydney financial adviser has pleaded guilty to misappropriating $2.9 million in his clients’ funds. ...Read more

Expenses
Telstra set to refund 10,000 customers
Ten thousand past and present Telstra customers are entitled to a refund due to being overcharged a total of $2.5 million. ...Read more

Expenses
iSelect in hot water for energy plan comparisons
Comparison tool iSelect has been ordered to pay $8.5 million in penalties for making false and misleading representations about its electricity comparison service. ...Read more

Expenses
Pandemic puts stopper in big spending
Two-thirds of Australians have seen their finances impacted by COVID-19, according to new research – and it’s affecting everything from holidays to houses and careers. ...Read more

Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now

Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now

Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now

Meet the Manager with Trilogy’s Philip Ryan: RBA rates and property price growth
Listen now

Expenses
Half-price flight scheme launches today
Aussies are being offered half-price flights as the government looks to spur domestic travel to regions it has defined as key to economic recovery. ...Read more

Expenses
Insurance prices rise despite payout falls
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen insurer payouts fall by $500 million, but Australian consumers are continuing to pay more, the consumer watchdog has revealed. ...Read more

Expenses
CBA cops civil proceedings for overcharged interest
ASIC has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Bank over the bank charging an interest rate on business overdraft accounts that was substantially higher tha...Read more

Expenses
What are the top 10 most expensive cities in the world?
Logistical issues and currency fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the most expensive cities in the world drastically change, new research has revealed. ...Read more

Expenses
Sydney adviser pleads guilty to misappropriating $2.9m
A Sydney financial adviser has pleaded guilty to misappropriating $2.9 million in his clients’ funds. ...Read more

Expenses
Telstra set to refund 10,000 customers
Ten thousand past and present Telstra customers are entitled to a refund due to being overcharged a total of $2.5 million. ...Read more

Expenses
iSelect in hot water for energy plan comparisons
Comparison tool iSelect has been ordered to pay $8.5 million in penalties for making false and misleading representations about its electricity comparison service. ...Read more

Expenses
Pandemic puts stopper in big spending
Two-thirds of Australians have seen their finances impacted by COVID-19, according to new research – and it’s affecting everything from holidays to houses and careers. ...Read more