Mildura number one in online travel search with Melbourne residents

MILDURA has topped the list of an online travel agency search engine for regional Victorian destinations made by metropolitan Melbourne users since October 25.

Following the announcement on that date that restrictions in Victoria would begin to ease, KAYAK.com.au looked at what destinations Melbourne residents were searching for in regional Victoria in anticipation of the 25km radius “ring of steel” coming down.

Mildura came in at #1 top searched regional Victorian destination ahead of Frankston, Wodonga, Phillip Island and Warrnambool in the top five spots searched.

Then came Echuca, Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat and Wangaratta to round out the top 10.

KAYAK.com.au said the number of searches made by metro Melbourne users between October 26 and November 1 increased by 35% compared to the previous week, showing a renewed interest in travel as soon as Melburnians were given hope that they would be able to travel out of the city again.

KAYAK.com.au processes more than over six billion queries across its platforms each year for travel information, helping millions of travellers around the globe make destination decisions.

Its website and mobile apps are currently available in more than 18 languages and more than 30 countries.

Tourism operators told Sunraysia Daily this week there had been a significant added interest in accommodation inquiries, particularly during the past week after Premier Daniel Andrews formally announced the “ring of steel” would go.