Australians are expected to scale back Easter travel this year as rising fuel costs and cost-of-living pressures collide at one of the busiest times of year.
Bond University experts say the pressure is likely to reshape both travel plans and spending habits, with flow-on effects for tourism operators and local economies.
Professor Perry Hobson - tourism expert
"People will do the maths and realise it’s cheaper to cancel than fill the tank. My hunch is we could see tourism activity down somewhere between 10 and 20 per cent, and possibly more depending on how this plays out."
"You’ll see a real shift to staycations. People won’t fly or drive long distances, they’ll either stay local or not travel at all, and that has a big knock-on effect for destinations that rely on visitor spending."
"Fuel prices hit harder here because they’re right in people’s faces every day, and in such a car-dependent country there aren’t many alternatives. That makes this kind of shock much more immediate for tourism.”
The impact won’t just be felt in tourism numbers, but in how Australians approach spending more broadly over the Easter period.
Assistant Professor Belinda Barton - consumer behaviour expert
"Easter spending isn’t purely rational. It's driven by emotional cues like tradition, reward and social expectations."
"When budgets are tight, people don’t necessarily stop spending. They justify small indulgences because they feel earned or meaningful."
"Seasonal events like Easter are designed to trigger spending through familiarity and nostalgia, which makes it harder to opt out."
But while more Australians may opt to stay home, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll feel more rested.
Associate Professor Libby Sander - organisational behaviour expert
Associate Professor Sander says staying home doesn’t always deliver the mental break people expect, particularly when routines and environments stay the same.
"If your environment doesn’t change, your brain doesn’t get the signal to switch off. That’s why people can take time off and still feel mentally fatigued."
"Even small changes, like getting outdoors or breaking routine, can help create a stronger sense of recovery."
