Travel bookings to Australia soared following the country's announced border reopening, though leisure travel accounted for most of those bookings, according to data from Travelport.
On Feb. 7, the day Australia announced fully vaccinated travelers could visit without quarantine starting Feb. 21, international flight bookings to the country increased 93 percent compared with the same day a week prior, Travelport reported. Australia already had eased restrictions for its own citizens returning from international travel late last year.
Three-quarters of international bookings to Australia currently are for leisure purposes, according to Travelport. About a third of the bookings are travelers flying alone, which Travelport said indicates demand from returning expats.
Nealy half of bookings to Australia have been for travel within the month of February, according to Travelport.