Toddlers with passports is the new norm

HAVING children is proving no barrier to overseas travel with the average Australian child now getting their first passport at just 2.5 years of age — around 15-years younger than their parents. And a quarter of babies aged under two, and more than half of Australians under 17, have their own passport, according to the inaugural State of the Nation report produced by travel site Expedia.

More than 2500 people were surveyed for the report which looked at the behaviour of Australian travellers. Expedia Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Georg Ruebensal said the increased affordability of overseas travel had made a huge difference to who travels, and where.

“Our data shows international air ticket prices have declined by approximately 20 per cent over the last three years driven by low cost carriers and increased competition,” he said.

“Combine this with the rise in mobile device use, there is now more flexibility and choice than ever when planning and booking travel.”

He said young Australians were the most active travellers, taking off earlier and travelling further and more frequently than their parents did.

“More than any generation before them, 18 to 24-year-olds are seizing every opportunity to see the world, explore new destinations, enrich themselves with cultural experiences and meet locals in different lands,” said Mr Ruebensal. “They’re travelling more and spending more than ever.”

Around the country, Sydneysiders were the most likely to be planning an overseas holiday in the next year, and three-quarters had travelled abroad in the last two years.

Perth people were the next most worldly in their travels, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide residents. The most in-demand destinations included Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, Bali in Indonesia, Queenstown in New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji.

For parents of young children, New Zealand was the top pick, while older families preferred the US and Canada. Brisbane’s Alison Scuderi said she and her husband were about to take their four children on their second overseas jaunt in two years. Aged from six to nine on their first trip to the US last December, Ms Scuderi said the kids were the perfect age for long-haul travel.

“For us to holiday in Australia it’s expensive anyway because we’re a larger family,” said Ms Scuderi.

“Just to go to Mooloolaba (on the Sunshine Coast) you’re looking at $3000 for a three bedroom unit for a week, and you’re not right on the beach.” She said she was in her 20s before she got a passport but wanted her children to see more of the world. “The world’s a much bigger place than West Chermside,” she laughed.

Source: Courier Mail