How many times did you travel in 2019? Where did you go? Perhaps it was somewhere new that required a passport and visa, or maybe you stayed closer to home and instead discovered the wealth of things to do and see right here in New Zealand. As we inch closer to a new year – and a new decade – we’re looking back at the year that was to find out what holiday hotspots Kiwis just couldn’t get enough of in 2019. We’ve gone over the numbers and looked at the flights booked on Webjet this year, and have wrapped up the top 10 destinations from around New Zealand, in Australia and the South Pacific, and the rest of the globe. Take a look at the lists below. Were you one of the travellers to touch down in these cities in 2019? If not, maybe it’s time to consider start planning your 2020 travel just so you can say, ‘I’ve been there!’, when it comes to this time next year.
The Most Popular Destinations 2019 in New Zealand
There are no shortage of possibilities when it comes to deciding where to travel and holiday within New Zealand. Pick your pleasure – be it cultural pursuits, the great outdoors, food and wine, or a combination of all three – and you can have a holiday in New Zealand that takes care of it. No passport needed. The North Island scoops up first and second place. Auckland takes out this year’s popularity contest and received the highest number of flight bookings. The City of Sails doubled as a frequently-used stopover city for many international flights too. The silver medal goes to Wellington. Attention then turns to the South Island as Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin bolster out the top five.
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Christchurch
- Queenstown
- Dunedin
- Nelson
- Palmerston-North
- Napier-Hastings
- New Plymouth
- Hamilton
The Most Popular Destinations 2019 in Australia and the South Pacific
Where are Kiwis flocking to when it comes to jetting across the Tasman? The sun, sand and surf of Queensland is where New Zealanders had their sights, with Brisbane taking out the honour of most popular. The capital of the aptly-dubbed Sunshine State is teeming with world-class galleries, museums, eateries and things to do. Plus it’s also just a hop, skip and a jump to the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. Melbourne’s coffee culture, laneways and sporting events were a magnet for Kiwis too; the Victorian capital comes in at second place. Following closely behind is Sydney in third and then the Gold Coast in fourth. The destination rounding out the top five may be a slight surprise given its far-flung location. Perth! The capital of Western Australia has a bounty of golden-sand beaches, excellent restaurants popping up on every corner, and is a springboard for those wanting to explore Margaret River or more of the South West.
The Most Popular Destinations 2019 Around The World
New Zealanders took off in all directions across the world in 2019, not only exploring destinations closer to home but also those that call for crossing multiple time-zones, organising visas and wrangling currency exchanges. In 2019, the long-haul destination most flown to by New Zealanders was London. The English capital is one of the most popular gateways for international travellers arriving into Europe; for those not only wanting to explore the UK but who also want to jump across the English Channel. The second most popular destination is a little bit closer to home – Denpasar. This Balinese city continues to hold strong as one of the favourite holiday go-tos for Kiwis. Third and fourth places also go to locations in Asia: Bangkok, in Thailand; and Manila, in the Philippines. The United States of America only makes one appearance in the round-up of the top 10, courtesy of Los Angeles coming in fifth. The City of Angels and La La Land delivers all of the glitz and glamour, but its appeal also covers critic-acclaimed food trucks, outstanding museums, family-friendly things to do, and a go-point for seeing more of the Californian coast.
- London
- Denpasar
- Bangkok
- Manila
- Los Angeles
- Singapore
- Manchester
- Tokyo
- Phuket
- Kuala Lumpur
Take off to any of these destinations by booking cheap flights with Webjet. You can also book hotels and resorts to stay at while you’re away, or combine your flights with your accommodation in a Webjet holiday package.
Hero image: Emily Rusch on Unsplash
Data is based on flights booked on Webjet.co.nz between 1 January and 31 November 2019.
