Thais third most travelled, Agoda survey finds
Britons lead the way for globetrotting, taking the top spot for the highest number of international countries visited according to the “Well Travelled Survey” commissioned by Agoda, a fast-growing digital platform. The survey showed that the average British traveller has visited 12 countries, followed by Australians who average 10 international destinations.
The survey also reveals travel trends based on gender and age for countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East as well as the UK and US ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27.
According to the survey, almost seven out of 10 or 68 per cent of people in the areas surveyed have visited up to 10 countries, with travellers from the United Arab Emirates averaging at 92 per cent and Saudi Arabia 82 per cent, followed by Thailand (76%), Malaysia (75%) and Japan (71%).
The UK has the largest proportion of travellers who have visited more than 31 destinations (5%), followed by Australia (4%), Thailand (3%) and the United States (2%).
In Agoda’s home market of Asia Pacific, Malaysians are most likely to have travelled to more than 10 countries (11%), followed by Thais (8%), Indonesians (2%), and Vietnamese (1%).
“Whether it’s looking to find yourself or just the need for a relaxing break in the sun after working hard throughout the year, it’s clear people everywhere – regardless of age or gender – love to travel,” said Timothy Hughes, vice president of corporate development at Agoda. “And with so many ways and reasons to travel, and bustling cities, breath-taking beaches or rich arts and cultural centres to explore, it’s no wonder that the number of people visiting up to 10 countries is so high.”
Never travelled abroad
Meanwhile, the survey also found that 18 per cent of people have never travelled to another country at all, with a surprising 13 per cent of over-55s never having left their contry.
Interestingly, among non-Asia Pacific markets (United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia), Americans are the least travelled, with 29 per cent having never been overseas.
Gen Z and Millennials are the biggest groups where travel still hasn’t taken off
Globally, 27 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds have never travelled and youngsters in China, Vietnam and Indonesia most likely to never have travelled at 49, 45 and 37 per cent respectively. However, in the 25-34 age group, where the global average is 19 per cent for having never travelled, Vietnam is pushed out of the bottom three by the US.
By 45-54 years old, 86 per cent have travelled abroad, while 81 per cent of the 25-34 years age group has already travelled to other countries.
“While it seems Gen Z and Millennials are yet to have the opportunity to travel as extensively as other age groups, the gap between those who have never travelled internationally is shrinking fast. It will be exciting to see the potential cultural and socio-economic gains once those from China, Vietnam and Indonesia start travelling more,” Timothy added.
Gender no barrier for travel
Overall, 19 per cent of women have never travelled outside their home country versus 17 per cent of men. Only the United States, Vietnam and Indonesia showed significant differences in percentages of males and females traveling – 66 per cent of women versus 76 per cent of men in the US have travelled internationally at least once, and 67 per cent women compared to 74 per cent men in Vietnam. Indonesia, however, bucks the trend with 72 per cent of women having travelled internationally before, compared to only 65 per cent of men.