Press Room: Media Releases

Auckland – New Zealand looks set to benefit from an influx of Australian and Asian travellers, according to a Wotif.com survey, with 70% of respondents signalling that rising airfare costs ‘would have an affect’ on their travel habits.

The survey, which asked more than 600 people to consider what affect the threatened price hikes in air travel would have on their travel plans, also found that 60% of Kiwis planned to choose domestic above overseas trips, as travel costs increased.

Commenting on the survey, Wotif.com’s New Zealand Manager Tania Witheford, said: “People will always love to travel, and while rising airfares may affect the destinations they choose, these results show that it will have a minimal impact on their inclination to travel.

“Add to this the strength of the Australian dollar against our own and New Zealand becomes an even more desirable tourism destination, for both Australian and Kiwi travellers.”

As the number one accommodation website in Australia and New Zealand, Wotif.com is well positioned to assist both consumers and the tourism industry throughout this time.

“By using a distribution channel, like Wotif.com, which is strong throughout the Asia-Pacific region, local accommodation properties will be well placed to counteract any negative affects brought on by the rising airfares,” Witheford added.

Witheford said the rising airfares would likely alter consumer behaviour, “consumers are looking for ways to stretch their holiday budget.”

“More and more decisions will be lead by price and a perception of value, with the ability to compare alternatives easily of increased importance to holiday makers.”

Respondents to the survey also said they planned to use the rising costs of airfares as an excuse to extend their breaks, with many intending to spend more time at each destination to compensate for the increased cost of getting there.

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*Notes to the Editor: The survey was conducted online by Wotif.com between the 13^th & 17^th June, 2008 and received 604 responses.