Rugby World Cup drives Australasia demand

A USTRALASIA is becoming a bigger drawcard for South African travellers, attracting growing interest as a holiday destination rather than being booked mainly for visits to friends and relatives (VFR). And with the Rugby World Cup in Australia drawing closer, the destination is also opening up a parallel sales opportunity for agents. Stacey Rampersadh, Director of Inspirations Travel and Tours (ITT), told Travel News that while Australia and New Zealand had traditionally attracted strong VFR demand, ITT was increasingly seeing enquiries for full standalone holidays rather than add- on breaks or city stopovers attached to family visits. “Self-drive holidays across Australia and New Zealand are the most popular and most frequently requested style of trip. Train journeys – particularly The Ghan and the Indian Pacific – are also in strong demand, usually built in as a highlight within a longer stay rather than booked as a standalone trip. Camper hire is a growing category in both destinations, giving travellers itinerary flexibility along with safe, well-equipped camping options,” she said. Rampersadh added that Australia’s gateway cities and New Zealand’s South Island continued to perform strongly because they offered a mix of iconic attractions and flexible touring options. “The iconic gateway cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Cairns (as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef) – remain consistently popular. Even though these are city breaks, they open the door to local heritage and culture, wildlife, exceptional food, wine routes and coastal and beach experiences. “New Zealand’s South Island is the go-to for travellers chasing dramatic scenery – its concentrated mix of fjords, glaciers, alpine lakes and mountain ranges offers a variety of landscapes within a compact region that is ideal for self-drive touring. This appeals strongly to South African travellers already comfortable with road-trip style touring.” Rampersadh highlighted South Australia’s wine and food scene, saying it was a strong fit for South African travellers, particularly those familiar with the winelands. She also pointed out Kangaroo Island for its wildlife, and said Western Australia, including Perth, Margaret River and Ningaloo, remained underappreciated in the South African market. Rampersadh also pointed to the amazing wilderness of the Kimberley, a 420 000 sq km area in the far north of Western Australia offering some of the most dramatic scenery in the region. When it comes to pricing, Rampersadh said Australasia’s reputation as an expensive long-haul destination did not always reflect the full picture. “Many South Africans perceive Australia and New Zealand as relatively expensive long-haul options mainly because of high flight fares and headline costs (meals, tours and activities), but when planned carefully, both countries can offer very good value, with plenty of budget- friendly accommodation options and free or low-cost.