Kiwis Choose Comfort Over Adventure in Top Travel Choices

News release
26th December 2012

Kiwis Choose Comfort Over Adventure in Top Travel Choices
• Australia and UK hold most appeal
• However, nearly one in ten New Zealanders have no desire to cross the ditch
• Older travellers as keen for adventure as younger people
The perception that Kiwis are a nation of intrepid travellers has been put into perspective by a new survey.

A survey by Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) found that Australia and the UK are the destinations that hold the most appeal for Kiwis, with the Middle East, North Africa and India/Nepal the least appealing.

Over 2000 New Zealanders were surveyed on the appeal, or lack of, travel destinations around the world.

77% of those surveyed said Australia was an appealing destination, while 70% cited the UK, giving these top ranking over the Pacific Islands (63%), Western Europe (62%) and North America (62%).

The Middle East was the lowest ranking destination, with 59% of people saying the region held no appeal for a holiday, followed by North Africa (49%) and India/Nepal (49%).

Southern Cross Travel Insurance CEO Craig Morrison said the biggest surprise of the survey was the small difference in appetite for ‘off the beaten track’ destinations between younger and older age groups.

“Whether younger people are becoming more conservative or older people more adventurous in their travel choices is hard to say. What we do know is that older travellers are forming a larger part of our market. Many are in very good health and there’s nothing restricting them if they have the means and the desire to travel.”

Morrison said SCTI policies automatically covered some controlled pre-existing health conditions, and there was no age limit on obtaining cover under its leisure travel policy TravelCare.

The popular destinations some New Zealanders found unappealing might hold some surprises for airlines and travel agents. Nearly one in five people said the Pacific Islands held no appeal, with an equal number also cold on Western Europe and North America.

The Pacific Islands were most appealing to those living in Tauranga and families with school aged children.

Japan emerged as an Asian destination of high appeal to Kiwis (47%), beating out Thailand’s 41% appeal rating.

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