Easter holiday hunts closer to home as fuel prices bite
Australians may be forced to spend this Easter long weekend by the bucketload as rising fuel prices force many to stay closer to home.
But in such uncertain times, connecting with others and small pleasures can trump cost-of-living concerns.
Data from the Tourism and Transport Forum at the end of March showed more than 40 per cent of Australians had already canceled or scaled back their Easter travel plans during the fuel crisis.
Amanda Craft, from Western Sydney University’s Business School, said it was natural to cut back on travel as rising fuel costs reflected directly in the hip pocket.
But he says most people will look less far afield rather than abandon their Easter plans altogether.
“The Easter holidays were probably planned months in advance, they coincide with school holidays and people see their families,” Dr Craft told AAP.
“It’s not something people want to give up completely, but they will try to minimize the costs as much as possible.”
On average, Australians will spend more this Easter than in previous years.
According to research by consumer group Finder, 56 per cent of Australians who say they will spend money this Easter will pay $2019 on average; This figure was 1556 dollars the previous year.
The bulk of the expected spending is on travel, at $1488, compared with $1005 the previous Easter; The expected spending on chocolate is slightly lower than last year, at $62 in 2026 compared to $68 previously.
While much of the increase is due to inflation and rising travel costs, Bond University consumer behavior expert Belinda Barton says there may be more to the story.
“It’s a bit confusing when you’re in a situation where you’ve got war, you’ve got inflation, you’ve got high costs of living,” he told AAP.
Dr Barton said people may be prioritizing community and family over other concerns, which could otherwise lead to austerity.
“So when things like war and a lot of doom and gloom happen, people tend to prioritize living in the present, which can conflict with feelings of anxiety about the cost of living,” he told AAP.
But prioritizing family and fun doesn’t mean spending big; Financial planning academic Michelle Cull of Western Sydney University suggests a more “old-school” approach.
He highlighted Australia’s many wonderful free public facilities and outdoor spaces.
“If you’re getting together with extended family, a picnic is great – maybe you even have games and things to prepare,” he told AAP.
“For example, the good old egg and spoon or the three-legged race. These cost nothing and can actually be quite fun.”
Foodbank chief executive Kylea Tink urged those worried about putting food on the table this Easter to reach out for help, even if they think there are others in greater need.
“Services like Foodbank are here to make sure people don’t have to get down on their knees so they can continue to do what they want to do within their families,” he told AAP.
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