Europe welcomes an influx of Australian tourists

Posted on Wednesday 06 June 2012 in England, France, Netherlands, Sweden

Aussie travellers are flocking to far away destinations for their upcoming holidays, especially in Europe. - England Travel News

Aussie travellers are flocking to far away destinations for their upcoming holidays, especially in Europe. A recent survey by Travel.com has found an increasing number of tourists from Down Under checking cities in Europe off their bucket lists at an increase of 24 per cent this month as compared to the same figures in June 2011.

"Flights to the UK, departing this June are up 68 per cent on last year. London has proved more popular than ever thanks to these upcoming milestone events," said Renee Welsh, general manager of Travel.com. "Russia and Sweden have also experienced unprecedented growth with June flight bookings up 92 per cent and 91 per cent respectively on 2012. Thanks to the strong dollar and cheaper flight prices, Aussies are now also considering European destinations which weren’t previously top of mind."

London is at the top of many Aussies' lists

London has been experiencing more Aussie travellers visiting and exploring the sights because of the Summer Olympics this July and August. The U.K. is in the lead above all other European countries when it comes to Australians planning their adventure travel excursions abroad - a total of 68 percent more bookings are being make in the area as compared to last year. Officials from the U.K., especially those in London, are encouraging travellers from all over the world to journey to the city for the games, because the unsold accommodations and flights may be dropping in price to fill up last-minute spots.

“If you lose a third of your availability and believe that that’s sold for you in the market place then that’s probably going to change your approach to how your price your remaining stock [in London hotels]," said Terry Williamson, chief operating officer a tourism company JacTravel.

Although flights directly into London may be hard to come by, Aussies can book their tickets for other European locations and make their way to the U.K. in time for the games. Individuals taking holidays nearby already may even be able to get hotel rooms for a fraction of the going rate in wanting to visit London for a short period of time during the Olympics.

Other popular European destinations for Australians

Besides London, other destinations that are be visited by Aussies include France and the Netherlands. Both of these destinations are especially favourable during Europe's summer months, as they have rolling green hills and scenic water fronts for Aussies to escape winter blues and bask in the sun.

The French culture and allure often entice Aussies during the months of June, July and August, especially along the Cote d'Azur, or French Riviera. Travellers can explore the urban sights in Nice, or spend some time in the smaller fishing town like St-Remy-de-Provence.

In the Netherlands, Aussies should visit the windmills in the Zaan district or have a drink with the locals at one of the cozy local pubs found in the small villages. There are also some great museums to learn about the country's rich history, such as the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Aussie who choose to venture to Europe for their future holidays have countless options for memorable expeditions. Some individuals may wish to be wrapped up in the excitement of the Olympic games, while others prefer the tranquil countryside of Sweden, France or the Netherlands. Either way, now is an ideal time for planning trip abroad as the Australian dollar is working in tourists' favour and allowing more options than ever before to explore a new locale.

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