Cautious Australians staying closer to home, survey shows

Uncertainty around fuel supply is driving Australians to rethink their holiday plans, a new survey shows. 

Many are staying closer to home and spending less on travel. 

Travellers are keeping their holiday plans on track by choosing destinations closer to their doorstep, data from the largest holiday park group in New South Wales, Reflections Holidays, shows.

The survey for a group that manages 40 holiday parks in coastal and inland NSW was conducted over the Easter long weekend and revealed that fuel prices and availability are weighing on travellers’ minds, and they are choosing to holiday closer to home. 

The Reflections survey found 23% of travellers with bookings in the next three months had changed their plans to holiday closer to home, and in this cohort, 36.2% had reduced their travel distance by at least 300 kilometres.

Reflections CEO Nick Baker said in a media release that the shift showed that travellers were now more cautious but still determined to go on holidays.

“What our guests are telling us is that they still want to holiday, they are weighing up cost and availability of fuel, and around one quarter of them are shifting their trip to a destination that is closer to home,” Baker said.

“The survey reinforces that people still want to holiday, arguably because now more than ever it’s important to connect with each other and with nature, and they are prioritising travelling shorter distances to have a getaway with loved ones."

Reflections has introduced discounts in coming months which encourage local travel, and until April 30 is offering a $25 fuel offset voucher.

See https://reflectionsholidays.com.au/   

Image: Reflections, Bonny Hills

Flying low: Exciting new ways to explore the Pacific Northwest

Flying on a seaplane is a rare travel pleasure. 

You get great views and can land exactly where you want to be - providing there is a body of water. 

Harbour Air, British Columbia's leading coastal airline, has announced its largest seasonal expansion, featuring the return of a Vancouver-Seattle service beginning next week, along with three new routes including the airline's first Victoria-Seattle service.

The expansion is in response to strong demand across the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the US, adding new connections to communities like Ucluelet - named one of Expedia's 2026 Destinations of the Year - and Campbell River, a gateway to top-notch fishing and wilderness adventures. 

And for the first time, Vancouver Island travellers will have direct cross-border seaplane service without routing through Vancouver.

"This is our biggest seasonal expansion yet, and it reflects what we're hearing from our guests and communities," said Chris Fordyce, Chief Commercial Officer for Harbour Air. 

"The Vancouver-Seattle route has been one of our strongest seasonal services, and we're thrilled to bring it back. We're also launching three new routes this summer, including our first Victoria-Seattle service, new flights to Ucluelet, and new flights to Campbell River. 

"These additions strengthen our network and give coastal B.C. travellers more ways to explore the region and beyond."

The new flight means locals, and tourists, can fly from downtown Vancouver to central Seattle in one hour. 

Twice-daily departures will connecting Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver with Lake Union in Seattle. One-way fares start from CAD$149, offering a fast alternative to driving, ferry connections and traditional airport routes. 

The journey has operated as a seasonal spring and summer service since 2018.

The inaugural Victoria-Seattle service launches on June 11, connecting Victoria's Inner Harbour with Lake Union in under an hour. 

Check out harbourair.com/everyday-low-fares for deals and see supernaturalbc.com. 

Carlton gets an international hotel

The Italian-accented Melbourne suburb of Carlton has its first international hotel brand. Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton, owned by Pelligra Group, has just opened.

Located on Swanston Street on the fringe of Melbourne CBD and overlooking Lincoln Square, the hotel is part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts stable.

It has 107 rooms, a flexible lobby, Fico Carlton Restaurant and Bar, and over 270sqm of meetings space.

The hotel is being promoted as "a vibrant cosmopolitan hub" and is in the heart of Melbourne’s "Innovation District".

The lobby bar and restaurant celebrate Carlton’s historic Italian influence, while the rooftop venue has views of the Melbourne skyline.

Another brick in the wall: Cape Town's controversial plan

Cape Town is one of the glitziest cities in Africa with a beautiful waterfront, a dramatic mountain and a lively vibe.

But it is also a city with many poverty-stricken residents, shanty towns and soaring crime rates.

The city has a controversial plan to build a 3-metre high security wall along the main highway linking Cape Town International Airport to the city.

The highway which has been dubbed “the hell run” after multiple car jackings and violent smash-and-grab attacks along the route.

The highway passes near some of Cape Town's most deprived communities, including the Gugulethu and Nyanga townships and Crossroads and Taiwan "informal settlements".

The wall will ostensibly make it harder for criminals from the townships to access the highway, but create issues for locals going about their legitimate business.

There are also suspicions that the wall is designed to block views of the disadvantaged communities - many of them home to corrugated iron shacks - from visitors arriving in the city, which derives much income from the visitor economy. 

It has been described as "hiding poverty to comfort tourists".

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has said the plan will keep criminals at bay along the N2 highway and the move is described by local authorities as a necessity to curb violent crime. Critics argue that the project risks deepening social divides.

They point out that it will do nothing to improve safety for local communities.

Opponents have highlighted that the wall risks echoing apartheid-era spatial divisions by physically separating poorer townships from wealthier areas and tourist routes.

Image: Gugulethu, thesouthafrican.com   

Vietnam continues to boom as a tourism destination

Vietnam has emerged as a standout performer amid the rebound of global tourism. 

The Asian nation welcomed 21.1 million international arrivals in 2025, a 20.4% increase that significantly outpaced the broader Asia-Pacific region's 5% growth. 

It was also the first time Vietnam surpassed Thailand as the leading destination for Chinese leisure travellers.

The recent  MTE HCMC 2026 conference heard the hospitality sector continues to benefit from strong economic fundamentals, supporting travel demand and ongoing hotel development. 

Vietnam is targeting 25 million international visitors this year, which would represent 18.1% year-on-year growth. 

Despite this positive momentum, recent geopolitical tensions are introducing short-term challenges to global travel flows, the conference heard. 

The Middle East plays a key role as a global transit hub, connecting Europe and Asia-Pacific destinations and supporting a significant share of global intercontinental transit traffic. Disruptions affecting these hubs are therefore expected to impact inter-regional travel patterns.

"While Vietnam remains a fundamentally resilient destination, recent geopolitical tensions are already causing short-term disruption to travel demand, with increasing cancellations, postponements, and re-routed itineraries across key international markets," said Mauro Gasparotti, senior director for south-east Asia at Savills Hotels. 

"Although global disruptions are affecting overall travel flows, the country expects to be comparatively less impacted due to its lower reliance on Europe and Middle East inbound markets and its strong positioning within short-haul demand from North Asia, particularly South Korea and China, where travellers may increasingly favour closer, more accessible destinations."

From a supply perspective, future hotel development in the next three years will remain concentrated in coastal destinations, with Da Nang and Phu Quoc leading in volume. 

The event was co-hosted by An Cuong and Savills Hotels. 

Image: Kate Bagoy, Scop.io

Is this Tasmania's ultimate luxury getaway?

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania's ultra luxe retreat, has a new signature accommodation offer.

The Saffire Jewel Private Villa is being promoted as "a rare sanctuary where the grandeur of nature meets the intimacy of home".

The new villa is close to completion with bookings open.

From its location overlooking Great Oyster Bay, the Jewel Private Villa is said to "enjoy a sense of complete seclusion with 800m² of beautifully unhurried space, three master suites, expansive living spaces and a sunlit outdoor terrace with infinity pool and jacuzzi, all opening up to one of the most breath-taking views in the country".

The villa has its own dedicated concierge and private guide, the option to dine in residence, and experiences included in the tariff.

Think luxe touches like a private wine cellar, in villa breakfasts and your own fire terrace with views of The Hazards.

Stays at the Saffire Jewel will commence from December 2026. You can book at https://reservations.saffire-freycinet.com.au/ - but be warned, prices start from $25,000 a night for up to six people.

That includes all meals and drinks - and some little surprises. I hope to report back once it is open.