Rise of the 'same-cation': Are Australian travellers boring?

Are Aussie travellers the world?s most boring?

Are Australian travellers losing their adventurous streak? More are turning to 'same-cations'. Picture: Thinkstock

AUSTRALIANS are embracing a new holiday trend - the 'same-cation', which involves returning to the same destination over and over again.

That's according to a survey by accommodation booking site Hotels.com, which found that 60 per cent of Australians returned to at least one holiday spot multiple times during the past five years.

Forty per cent of those surveyed travelled with the same people, while one in five admitted to booking the same accommodation.

Meanwhile, a quarter booked their holidays at the same time of year every year, while 29 per cent picked the same airline.

But interestingly, only 38 per cent confessed to being creatures of habit, despite the results showing otherwise.

Motivations for 'same-cationing' include wanting quiet and relaxing surroundings (47 per cent), plenty of the same activities (53 per cent), value for money (50 per cent), visiting family and friends (51 per cent) and cheap airfares to the destination (37 per cent).

So are we following the lead of famous Aussie same-cationers' such as Kylie Minogue (a frequent visitor of St. Tropez and Italy), Miranda Kerr (Caribbean Islands), Nicole Kidman (Maui) and Collette Dinnigan (Hamilton Island)?

It begs the question: do we really love these holiday destinations that much, or are we just becoming a nation of boring travellers?

Are we losing our adventurous streak? Have your say below.

Hotels.com spokeswoman Katherine Cole said it's not surprising familiarity is winning over Australians.

"Australians are increasingly becoming creatures of habit when it comes to travelling," Ms Cole said. "They like to return to the same places with the same people at the same time of year, so we have a new trend - the same-cation.

"On holidays, we want to be able to switch off and relax while knowing we are getting great value for money. As travel becomes more affordable with the rise in low-cost airlines and accommodation deals, taking a short break to a familiar destination that you love is easier and more appealing than ever."

Also, heading to the same location can be an attractive prospect for those with children, and those seeking to avoid the risk of disappointment that can come with trying something new.

"While planning a holiday to a new destination can be exciting, heading somewhere familiar can be very attractive, particularly when you have kids," Australian traveller Janice Barletta from Caroline Springs in Victoria said.

"We've been going to Echuca for the past 10 years. We love it because we know what to expect when we get there and we're guaranteed to have a great holiday every time.

"We don't want to risk being disappointed, given holidays are few and far between these days, so Echuca will be our holiday spot for years to come."

Fellow traveller Kali Austin from Newport in NSW, said although the location may be the same, there can still be a lot of new things to do.

"I've been going back to Bali every year for the past five years, mainly because there are always cheap airfares, and Bali is great value for money," she said. "Even though I know Bali quite well now, there always seems to be something new to see and do, which means I get the best of both worlds - adventure and familiarity."

Top 10 international 'same-cation' destinations, according to the survey:

1. New Zealand

2. US

3. UK

4. Thailand

5. Singapore

6. Malaysia

7. Hong Kong

8. Indonesia

9. Fiji

10. Canada

Top domestic 'same-cation' spots:

1. Gold Coast

2. Sunshine Coast

3. Blue Mountains

4. Geelong and the Great Ocean Road

5. NSW South Coast

Have your say

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Comments on this story

Coookie of The Valley Posted at 12:48 PM Today

As it occurred that maybe they enjoy doing something more than once? I've returned to the UK three times but also thrown in other continental regions when possible. This is because there's still plenty of places there I still want to see. We have a wedding there next year and will once again spend some time where we haven't been plus another country or three where we haven't. I also enjoy going back to QT and Wanaka in NZ. It's a lovely area. It's your holiday, do what you want. It doesn't need to be different all the time. Being / doing different for different sake is always dumb justification. Sure, trends are interesting but people should be judged for them.
DP of Townsville Posted at 12:48 PM Today

DK of Melbourne, some of us who book repeat trips have already gotten out more. I have traveled to over 50 countries over the years living abroad and traveling for extended times. I did most of the different countries pre kids, having been to a lot of different countries I now know what I want and what I like for a holiday and therefore I travel back to the places I like the most. By doing this I know what is there, what to expect, that I am getting value for money, the country is safe, the local people are fantastic, so much variety and culture, the kids will have a great tome as well as us. I think this all makes perfect sense to me, I have seen the world and I know what I like and what works for my family. For the record the country we keep going back to is Thailand. We still go to a few other countries but Thailand is a yearly holiday for us as to me it cannot be beat based on the 50+ countries I have previously been to. At the end of the day each to there own but some of us have been there and seen it and know what we want.
Concerned Citizen of Aberfoyle Park Posted at 12:39 PM Today

There's so much to see and do out there that I rarely go back to somewhere I've been before. Only exception is catching up with family in the UK but even then I spend some time seeing parts I haven't been to before. It would seem I'm a rarity but then I don't use hotels.com. I prefer to research the accommodation in the region I'm staying in and booking direct. So given others may be doing the same I'd say that the conclusion drawn in the article may not be the case in reality.