Singapore is one of the top ten destinations preferred by Australian travellers. (Photo/File)
Singapore is one of the top ten destinations preferred by Australian travellers. (Photo/File)
Ho Chi Minh City is the fastest-growing destination for increasingly cash-conscious travellers, according to a Skyscanner study of Australian vacationers.
Bookings to the southern Vietnamese city jumped 23 per cent in 2017, vaulting eight places to become the 13th most popular destination.
Bali, a popular surfing destination, stayed at the top of the charts and saw four per cent more Australian visitors despite the draw-out eruption of the Mount Agung volcano.
Mount Agung volcano erupts in November. (Photo/AP).
Closer destinations saw the biggest surges in popularity, with Singapore rising 17 per cent to fifth spot, and Tokyo in seventh up 16 per cent.
The study also had good news for Christchurch, which rose six spots to 14th with 15 per cent more bookings.
This comes at a time when Air New Zealand is making a major push to attract Australian visitors to New Zealand. Earlier this year, the national carrier released an advertising campaign, featuring a character called Dave the Goose, which trumpeted the benefits of flying with the airline.
At the time of the launch of the campaign, Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said saw an opportunity in the Australian market, not only to attract tourists to New Zealand but also in having local airports serve as a gateway to th rest of the world.
Farther flung and more expensive, cities like London, Los Angeles, and Dublin recorded big falls of more than 20 per cent while Paris decline 17 per cent.
The British capital held its second-place ranking despite getting 24 per cent fewer bookings, faring better than Dublin which tumbled seven places, down 29 per cent.
Twelve Asian cities made the top 20 list, based on travel site Skyscanner's data, with their popularity based on value for money.
"Aussies are seeking richer experiences for less, which is why we've seen a rise in travel to various destinations in Asia," senior growth manager Robyn Lee said.
"In 2018, we expect to see Aussies continue to explore destinations closer to home so as to reduce travel time and make the most out of their annual holidays and time abroad."
Ho Chi Minh's emergence was propelled by Jetstar offering flights there for the first time in five years and was one of the most affordable holidays.
City Hall in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons)
Flight fares were also cheaper than most other Asian destinations, averaging just $715 on Skyscanner's system.
Domestic bookings were also up 14 per cent, backing the trend of Australians taking their holidays closer to home.
The website identified some off-beat locations that could emerge in 2018 based on how often people searched for them in preparation.
Interest in the ancient Chinese city of Xi'an more than doubled and the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar surged 83 per cent as travellers search for exotic adventure.
