New research has revealed that a majority of Australian travellers are taking travel bookings into their own hands – and often paying the price. A significant 83 per cent of travellers now prefer to book their own flights, hotel accommodation or travel activities, with just 17 per cent relying on travel agents to do it all. The downside? Almost 6 in 10 admit to having made significant booking mistakes, from paying too much and choosing unsafe accommodation, to losing out on refunds when cancelling and missing travel connections.
The findings were derived from a new survey of a nationally representative, independent panel of 1009 Australians, commissioned by award-winning travel insurance provider Insure&Go, to gauge how Australians are planning their travel and whether they are making mistakes along the way.
The appetite for international travel to and from Australia continues to grow, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recording 16.7 per cent year-on-year growth in departures and a 7.9 per cent growth in arrivals in April 2025. Australians are fuelling their wanderlust online, with a 2025 Ipsos report revealing that online airline audiences in Australia increased 12 per cent year on year. Overall, the Australian online travel bookings market is forecasted to grow at an annual compound rate of 3.8 per cent between 2024 (from around AUD$17bn in value) and 2033 (to around AUD$23.8bn in value).
Insure&Go asked survey respondents how they (or their travel companion) typically plan and book international travel. Two-thirds (65%) tend to book their accommodation on online hotel booking platforms, 28 per cent book flights through flight comparison or aggregator websites, one quarter (26%) mostly find and book tours and activities through online platforms, and a quarter (25%) prefer to book directly with specific travel providers.
David Mayo, Insure&Go Commercial & Marketing Director, says: “Our research suggests that booking platforms are becoming the norm, with travellers now preferring to do their research and find deals online. However, professional advice still plays an important role – especially for more complex or high-cost itineraries, such as multi-stop tours, or trips involving families or older travellers.
“It’s easy to overlook what seem like minor details in your planning, but these can make or break your trip. You need to know, for instance, whether your travel insurance covers the activities you have planned or what’s buried in your travel provider’s cancellation policy fine print.”
Young travellers prefer digital; older travellers prefer a human touch
The survey results also highlight the preference among younger travellers for online platforms, while over-50s prefer travel booking methods where they can speak and correspond with real people.
Four in five (79%) of under-30s travellers, for instance, tend to book their own accommodation on online booking platforms, 40 per cent like to book their own flights on airfare comparison or aggregator platforms, and 33 per cent prefer to book their own tours and activities on online platforms – figures much higher than the total average.
Notably, more than one in 10 (12%) of all respondents have used AI tools or itinerary generators to plan their holidays. This figure rises to 24 per cent of under-30s, but drops to just three per cent of over-50s.
While young travellers lead the way in DIY travel, with 94 per cent of under-30s booking some aspects of their travel, the DIY travel category where over-50s lead the way is booking directly with travel operators (via emails or calls). One third (34%) of over-50s prefer to book this way, compared with 19 per cent of under-50s. And while only eight per cent of under-30s tend to use travel agents for most bookings, that figure jumps to 28 per cent among over-50s.
Freedom, flexibility and better deals driving the DIY travel movement
Insure&Go asked respondents why they prefer to organise their own trips, whether it be accommodation, flights or tours. Almost two-thirds (63%) said they enjoy the freedom and creativity of designing their own itineraries, while more than half (56%) believe they can find better deals on their own. Almost a third (31%) said DIY travel booking gives them greater control over their budget and spending, while 29 per cent value the flexibility to make last-minute changes.
The pitfalls of planning alone: common mistakes still widespread
Despite the confidence in DIY travel, 58 per cent of respondents admitted to making mistakes, with the most common one (by 26%) being missing discounts or deals by booking at the wrong time – something that travel agents are traditionally used for.
Under-30s travellers are the age group most likely to have made mistakes in their travel bookings – a significant 78 per cent. One third (35%) have missed out on discounts or deals, 21 per cent have chosen unsafe or inconvenient accommodation, 23 per cent chose travel insurance with inadequate coverage, and 20 per cent booked non-refundable airfares, accommodation and tours, and had to cancel. Further, 11 per cent either underestimated travel time that led to delays or missed transport, or they selected travel insurance that didn’t cover key activities or emergencies.
David says that while designing travel itineraries and making bookings can be an empowering process, travellers should be aware of the risks. “Especially in relation to travel insurance, we encourage travellers to check whether the policy covers them for all their planned travel activities.
“Overall, while online booking platforms are easy to use, travellers committed to booking their own travel should always double-check the fine print, from cancellation policies to refund conditions.”
