As global travel trends shift, Australian travellers are beginning to look beyond Europe and reconsider what an ideal winter getaway truly looks like.
For years, the European summer has been a popular escape for Australians to escape the cold winter months at home.
The beaches of Greece, the lavender fields of Provence and the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast are all images that have filled vision boards. But this winter, Australian travellers are reconsidering their Europe plans entirely as the changing global landscape and travel trends reshape the idea of the ideal winter getaway.
The fuel crisis, the new European and UK visas and cost of business class flights are all making travellers, even luxury travellers, think twice.
Flight Chaos Is Disrupting Travel Plans
One of the biggest complications arises from the significant pressure currently on European aviation. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely closed since late February due to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, limiting the passage of a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade through the waterway.
Around 75% of Europe’s jet fuel imports come from the Middle East, with alternative supplies from the United States and Nigeria aiming to replenish some of their inventory.
However, in mid-April the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe may only have six weeks of jet fuel reserves remaining if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. This could force large-scale flight cancellations right as European summer begins in June.
Airlines have already started cancelling flights as rising fuel costs make them no longer financially viable, with Dutch airline KLM cancelling 160 flights in Europe over the next coming month. Australian travellers are already experiencing the impact of these flight cancellations, with many forced to cancel or reroute their trip in favour of more stable and predictable destinations.
Overtourism Is Changing the Experience
The issue of overcrowding is also impacting the overall experience. Some of Europe’s most beloved destinations have been severely impacted by mass tourism as the rise of social media has intensified demand for specific must-see locations, concentrating crowds into already popular destinations.
The time spent queueing for tourist attractions can reach up to 3 hours for popular experiences such as going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Restaurants are increasingly booked out months in advance with Disfrutar in Barcelona, a three-Michelin-star restaurant, allowing bookings up to one year in advance due to its popularity.
Residents in destinations such as Barcelona, Venice and Santorini are also protesting against mass tourism as their rising living costs, water shortages and strain on local services are placing increasing pressure on everyday life and prompting stricter controls on the out-of-control visitor numbers. For Australians who travel a minimum of 20 hours to get to Europe, the reality of the crowded European summer is causing travellers to consider alternative destinations.
Luxury Travel Is Becoming Less Accessible
The high demand for luxury experiences are also causing Australian travellers to consider new destinations as luxury travel experiences become harder to access. Similarly to tourist attractions and restaurants, luxury accommodation and exclusive tours book out up to 18 months in advance, making it more difficult to access top-tier experiences.
Flights to Europe and accommodation have also surged in price over the past few years due to its popularity. A mid-range hotel in popular destinations such as Paris, Santorini or the Amalfi Coast during peak European summer requires luxury-level pricing without necessarily delivering a luxury experience.
Where Australians Are Travelling Instead
This year Australian travellers are turning to alternative destinations to access luxurious experiences without the long-haul fatigue and uncertainty surrounding getting to Europe. Indonesia has emerged as the top choice, with over 1.7 million Australians travelling there in 2025, comprising 14% of all Australian overseas travel. June to August in Indonesia is the dry season, offering the best weather for tourism with warm temperatures and low humidity to provide the same sense of escape as a European summer but without the crowds.
The rise of boutique resorts and wellness-focused retreats across Indonesia, especially in Lombok and Bali, has further elevated its appeal among travellers seeking both indulgence and relaxation. This aligns with a broader shift identified across Asia where wellness experiences have become a necessity impacting travel decisions, with 90% of high-net-worth travellers now citing wellness as a key factor in their booking choices.
Destinations such as Japan have also surged in popularity, passing the United States to become one of the top three destinations for Australian travellers with over 900,000 Australians travelling there in 2025. Okinawa, Japan’s subtropical southern island chain, has recorded a 71% surge in flight searches between 2024-2025, ranking it as the second-most trending destination globally for 2026. Japan’s appeal lies in its remarkable range of experiences from private cultural tours and exclusive ryokan stays to serene onsen retreats and Michelin-starred dining, blending culture and modern luxury.
Other warm destinations such as Thailand, Fiji and Vietnam offer beautiful tropical weather, luxury experiences and stunning natural beauty, delivering the same sense of sun-soaked escape traditionally associated with a European summer, without the long-flights and jetlag. In particular, Vietnam is experiencing a significant popularity increase with tourist numbers up as much as 20% between 2024 and 2025 as travellers are drawn to its stunning coastlines, emerging wellness scene and world-class cuisine.
