West Aussies can't get enough of Japan and these other overseas hotspots in 2025

By Fleur Bainger

Now that Western Australians have shaken off the international standstill enforced by COVID-19, we’re choosing longer, cushier, and more enriching trips.

Katie Melville, Product and Partnerships manager for RAC Travel, says travellers in the 55+ and retiree sector in particular are living it up, multiple times a year.

“People are opting for upgrades to flights, they’re doing back-to-back tours or cruises and they’re staying in Europe for eight weeks instead of four,” she says.

“We’re seeing more deep dives into regions again. People might focus on one or two areas like Spain and Portugal or immerse themselves in just Italy, France, or Croatia as an example.”

Statistically, overseas travel by West Aussies is “almost back to 2019 levels,” according to Tourism Western Australia’s WA Tourism Snapshot to the year ending June 2024. We’re now taking only three per cent fewer overseas trips than we were pre-COVID, back in 2019.

Where are we going?

Western Australians are still visiting the ever-popular destinations of New Zealand and Bali, but the Island of the Gods is showing signs of softening. Instead, we’re trying more exotic spots.

“Africa hasn’t been on the radar for many people but now we’re starting to see an increase in members wanting to book a safari next year. With that will come a spike in bookings for Mauritius and the Maldives,” Melville says.

Travellers are also taking their adult ‘kids’ and grandchildren along for the ride. “It’s a chance for shared experiences and family bonding,” says Melville. “Families today are looking for all-inclusive holiday options. This trend has led to a surge in popularity of family-focused cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and resorts such as Club Med.”

In terms of big hitters, Japan has emerged as our new obsession, while Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia are next in line. Interest is also growing for the Philippines, and Thailand is still a favourite.

Western Australians are falling in love with Japan

RAC Travel report that travel insurance sales for the Land of the Rising Sun are up by 30 per cent. “It’s being driven by the favourable exchange rate, the unique experiences, the ancient history, the proximity to Australia and the skiing,” says Melville.

Japan is only one hour ahead of Australian Western Standard Time, meaning no jet lag. Melville says at least 80 per cent of bookings are for tours and cruises. “People feel more comfortable knowing they don’t have to navigate the confusing transport and language barriers that are still prevalent in Japan,” she says.

Tokyo is obviously Japan’s urban hotspot, and Mario Karting remains a hugely popular way to explore it, while Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka are deservedly popular, as well as Hokkaido and Nagano for skiing.

As interest grows in regional Japan, places like Matsushima Bay’s forested islands, the breathtaking Shimanami Kaido cycling trail, and the women free divers of Mikimoto Pearl Island are coming on travellers’ radars.

“People want to engage with the culture and local people of regional Japan, which offers a different experience to the big cities,” Melville says.

Vietnam is growing in popularity

Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, is loved for its French influence on style and cuisine, its ancient architecture, and its parks and temples dotted between rambling streets. In the south, Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s most populous city, reflected in its noisy, frantic, cheek-by-jowl atmosphere. In between the two is Hoi An, a charming historic town of canals, colourful lanterns and bustling markets.

In recent years, Da Nang has become popular as a beachside resort escape, while taking a boat through the islands of Ha Long Bay is an enduring option. Melville says river cruises along the Mekong River in Vietnam are very popular, particularly with travel providers APT, Scenic, and Viking.

“Vietnam is also becoming a more mainstream destination where travellers are perfectly happy to spend a week exploring a city themselves before or after their tour,” she says.

The White Lotus effect in Thailand

Phuket, which has long been Thailand’s major tourism magnet, is now making way for places like Krabi and Koh Samui, and travellers are going for all-inclusive luxury resorts and experiences, as well as cruises, according to Melville.

“This destination is coming back on people’s radars after such a long run of Bali being number one,” she says.

The big trend is for multi-generational package holidays, but travellers are personalising their experiences by booking activities like cooking classes or Phi Phi island boat tours in advance.

Melville says elephant rides are out, in keeping with greater animal welfare awareness, and nights exploring Bangkok are in, as it serves as a vibrant stopover destination, en route to coconut palm-dotted islands and beaches.

In addition, the most recent series of hit TV show The White Lotus was set on Koh Samui, and shot in locations in Phuket and Bangkok, so the world’s eyes are on this piece of Asia now.

Phillipines emerging value-for-money destination

As travellers get curious about value-for-money places they’re yet to see, interest is steadily growing in the Philippines and its archipelago of more than 7400 islands. Most head for the capital of Manila, where there’s excellent shopping and plenty of domestic flights to other parts of the country.

In the west, Palawan’s turquoise waters and rocky caves are a sight for sore eyes, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Underground River north of the Palawan capital of Puerto Princesa makes for a fascinating day trip.

The islands of Boracay and Cebu are most established for tourists, while in lesser-known spots such as the surf island of Siargao, you can see volcanic islands and swim (ethically) with whale sharks.

Best visited from December to February, Melville says the Philippines is an emerging destination that travellers are dipping their toes into on cruises.

“The main way we are seeing people express interest is choosing cruise itineraries that specifically include the Philippines, with large cruise companies like NCL, Princess, and Royal Caribbean,” she says. “I think we’re going to see real momentum for the Philippines coming in the next few years.”

Banner image credit: Nick Wood on Unsplash