New Zealanders may be under pressure due to rising costs, and a few are concerned about the current state of the world—but it’s not enough to keep them home, shows new research out today.
A new Kiwi Overseas Travel Intentions & Insurance Survey commissioned by Cover-More has found that 68% of Kiwis still plan on going overseas within the next 18 months, a trend led by younger demographics, with 76% of those aged 18-34 and 70% of those aged 35-69 planning a getaway.
. . . Cost A Barrier
Those who are not travelling largely attribute it to cost pressures, shows the Research. Some 51% say the cost of travel is their primary barrier, and 46% say the cost of living is too high, with just 9% noting safety or security concerns.
Will Ashcroft, md for Zurich Cover-More New Zealand, adds that the research highlights an encouraging travel market that is ‘resilient but shifting’, shaped by economic realities, but still driven by a strong desire to travel, explore and reconnect.
Ashcroft says there’s an appetite for broader international experiences, with more than half of intended travel extending beyond Australia. While Australia was the most popular destination, accounting for 47% of Kiwi travel plans, the Pacific Islands are also in demand, alongside Southeast Asia and then just Asia in general.
The research also found that some 60% plan to travel for holiday/ leisure, and 35% to visit friends or family, with just 3% heading overseas for business.
. . . Insurance
While recent research from AA Travel Insurance reported that only 48% of Kiwi travellers purchase travel insurance every time they go overseas, (see HERE) Cover-More says 19% of Kiwis have already purchased travel insurance for their next overseas trip, with 56% planning to, and 13% considering it.
In fact, its survey shows just 7% of Kiwi travellers polled are not planning to purchase it.
Ashcroft says it is encouraging that travel insurance continues to be widely recognised as an essential part of the travel journey, with around three quarters of travellers either having purchased or planning to purchase cover.
“However, a significant portion remain undecided, highlighting an opportunity to better inform travellers of the value of cover.” See more on Cover-More HERE.
