New Webjet Group booking data from 1–12 March 2026, captured since the conflict intensified, shows travellers pivoting away from long-haul uncertainty towards short-haul Asia and domestic getaways.
Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a standout, with bookings up 43 per cent year-on-year, followed by Bali (+30 per cent), Tokyo (+21 per cent) and Manila (+11 per cent).
The shift is also reflected in overall demand, with Bali, Tokyo, Manila, Bangkok and Fiji ranking as the top five international destinations by booking volume over the period (excluding Europe).
“Australians still have a strong appetite to travel, but we’re seeing them adapt their plans in response to global uncertainty,” Katrina Barry, group CEO and managing director of Webjet Group, said.
“Rather than cancelling trips altogether, many travellers are pivoting towards destinations that are closer to home or feel easier to access, including domestic holidays and short-haul travel across Asia and the Pacific.”
Domestic travel is also benefiting from the shift, as travellers look for alternatives to long-haul itineraries.
While Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane remain the most popular routes, leisure destinations are seeing strong growth. Gold Coast bookings rose 35 per cent year-on-year, with Maroochydore and Hobart both up 17 per cent and Cairns increasing 14 per cent.
“At the same time, domestic travel is also seeing an uplift, with leisure destinations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Hobart attracting increased demand as Australians look for alternative holiday options,” Barry said.
The data highlights a resilient travel market, with Australians opting to reroute rather than retreat.
“Travel is deeply engrained in Australian culture, and we expect Aussies will continue to flex their travel plans around more accessible routes and competitive fares instead of cancelling holidays as the situation evolves.”
Barry said flexibility is becoming increasingly important as conditions shift.
“For travellers looking to find value in a more expensive market, flexibility can make a big difference. Comparing options across multiple airlines and considering different routes – including mixing and matching carriers across a single itinerary – can often reveal more competitive fares.”
The result is a clear pattern: rather than pulling back, Australians are doubling down on travel – just closer to home.
