Australia Outbound Travel Surges to a Record Twelve Point Six Million Trips in 2025, Fuelled by Strong Demand for Asia-Pacific Destinations

Published on December 23, 2025

Australia’s travel industry is experiencing a significant boost in outbound tourism, as 2025 marks a record-breaking year for Australians exploring the world. New data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) reveals that 12.6 million trips are projected for Australian residents in 2025, marking an 8% increase from the 11.6 million trips taken in 2024. This surge in international travel indicates Australians’ unwavering passion for exploring new destinations, even amidst the economic pressures and global uncertainty that have affected many sectors.

TRA’s latest Tourism Forecasts for Australia: 2025 to 2030 report reveals an optimistic outlook for both outbound and domestic tourism, with Australians continuing to prioritise travel, both near and far.

Rising Demand for Outbound Travel

Australians’ overseas travel behaviour has shown remarkable resilience, with a marked increase in trips abroad in 2025. A large portion of this growth is driven by leisure travel and visits to friends and relatives, which together accounted for 87% of outbound trips this year. This reflects Australians’ growing inclination to spend on experiences and travel, despite rising costs in other areas of life.

One of the key reasons for this surge is the growing accessibility of short-haul destinations across Asia and the Pacific, which have become increasingly popular with Australian travellers. Airlines have responded to this demand by adding more capacity and offering competitive airfares, making international travel even more affordable. As a result, countries such as Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand have emerged as some of the fastest-growing destinations for Australian residents in 2025.

Asia-Pacific Dominates Australian Travel Preferences

In 2025, Asia-Pacific remained the primary focus for Australian travellers. Shorter travel distances and more affordable options in the region have contributed to the continued popularity of destinations like Indonesia and various Pacific Island nations. However, US-bound tourism experienced a noticeable decline, as Australians turned their attention to closer, more budget-friendly destinations.

This shift towards Asia-Pacific destinations reflects a broader trend towards more convenient and cost-effective international travel options. With many Australians prioritising regional travel due to proximity and affordability, destinations within the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly viewed as the go-to options for holidaymakers looking for both adventure and value.

The Widening Gap Between Outbound and Inbound Travel

A notable consequence of the surge in outbound tourism is the growing gap between outbound and inbound travel. The TRA report highlights that net outbound travel is expected to reach 3.7 million trips in 2025, one of the largest differentials on record. This imbalance can partly be attributed to the growing demand for international travel, which has resulted in Australian travellers occupying available flight capacity that could otherwise support inbound tourism.

Despite this, the report suggests that this gap could be temporary. Airlines are expected to increase capacity on popular routes in response to strong outbound demand, which could, in turn, support the recovery of inbound tourism, particularly for key markets like Asia. As airlines continue to grow and add more flights, the sector could see a balance between outbound growth and inbound recovery in the coming years.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 and 2030 Projections

While 2025 promises to be a record year, 2026 is forecast to see a moderation in outbound travel growth, with 5% growth projected. This will represent a slight slowdown from the explosive growth seen in 2025, but still highlights the ongoing demand for international holidays. TRA’s long-term projections suggest that Australian trips abroad will continue to rise, reaching a staggering 14.9 million trips by 2030.

On the domestic front, while domestic tourism still holds its place in Australians’ travel plans, it continues to trail behind international travel. Australians are increasingly opting for shorter domestic trips and day trips, choosing to balance their budgets while prioritising international holidays when spending allows.

Domestic Travel Trends in 2025

TRA has forecast a slight 0.3% increase in domestic overnight trips, bringing the total to 113.2 million in 2025. While the increase is modest, it signals that Australians still value domestic tourism, despite the strong preference for international holidays. Domestic spending is projected to rise by 4.2%, reaching $153.9 billion, largely driven by a sharp increase in day-trip spending. However, overnight spending is expected to dip slightly as travellers opt for shorter stays.

Looking further ahead, TRA expects domestic visitor spending to continue its upward trajectory, with a forecast of $187.4 billion by 2030, growing at an average rate of 4% annually. This suggests that, while international travel takes precedence, Australians will continue to support their domestic tourism sector with their spending habits.

Reflections on the Year and the Path Ahead

As 2025 concludes, the travel industry reflects on a year shaped by rapid growth in international travel, driven by AI innovations, global disruptions, and a strong desire for new travel experiences. Despite the challenges, Australians have proven resilient, continuing to prioritise both international and domestic travel as key aspects of their lifestyle.

Looking ahead to 2026, the tourism sector is preparing for a shift in growth, with a more measured pace expected after 2025’s record-breaking numbers. However, the positive trend in outbound travel is expected to persist, with long-term growth projected to continue through to 2030.In conclusion, TRA’s Tourism Forecasts for 2025-2030 offer an optimistic outlook for the Australian tourism sector. Despite some moderation in growth, both international and domestic travel are expected to continue rising, with Asia-Pacific destinations leading the charge. The tourism sector remains on a strong trajectory, with airlines expected to add more capacity to meet the demands of both outbound and inbound travellers in the years ahead.