BANGKOK, 26 September 2019: 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.com.
Agoda that claims to be one of the world’s fastest-growing digital travel platforms says the average British traveller visits 12 countries, closely followed by Australians who average 10 international destinations.
Agoda’s “Well Travelled Survey” reveals travel trend comparisons by gender and age, for countries in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, plus the UK and US, ahead of World Tourism Day on 27 September.
According to the survey findings, almost seven out of 10 people have visited up to 10 countries (68%), with Middle Eastern travellers from United Arab Emirates (92%) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (82%) in the lead, 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 markets of Asia Pacific, Malaysians were 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,” says Agoda vice president of corporate development Timothy Hughes. “And with so many ways and reasons to travel, and bustling cities, breathtaking 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 data also found that 18% of people have never travelled to another country at all, with a surprising 13% of over 55s who have never travelled internationally.
Interestingly, among the non-Asia Pacific markets (United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Americans are the least travelled, with 29% having never been overseas.
Gen Z and Millennials biggest groups where travel still hasn’t taken off
Globally, 27% of 18 to 24-year-olds have never travelled with individuals from China, Vietnam and Indonesia most likely to never have travelled at 49%, 45% and 37% respectively. However, in the 25-34 age group, where the global average is 19% having never travelled, Vietnam is pushed out of the bottom three by the US.
By 45-54 years old, 86% have travelled abroad, while 81% 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 abroad 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,” Hughes adds.
In general, gender is not a crucial barrier to travel for Asia Pacific travellers. Overall, 19% of women have never travelled outside their home country versus 17% of men.
Only the United States, Vietnam and Indonesia showed significant differences in percentages of males and females travelling – 66% of females versus 76% of males in the United States have travelled internationally at least once, and 67% females compared to 74% of males in Vietnam. In contrast, Indonesia bucks the trend with 72% of women having travelled internationally compared to only 65% of men.
