Kiwis are now more worried about flight issues and lost luggage than COVID-19 when it comes to travelling in 2024.
According to research published by insurance company Allianz on Wednesday, New Zealanders are eager to head offshore for a holiday, with 87 percent of those surveyed indicating they would be heading abroad in the next 12 months.
However, 2022's result found 96 percent said they would be travelling in 2023.
Five-hundred people over 18 were surveyed for the study from Allianz: 44 percent said their biggest fear was either flight delays or cancellations. Around a third (31 percent) said they were still worried about catching COVID-19, but slightly more (34 percent) said they were worried about their luggage going missing while in transit.
One in five were also worried about being caught up in travel scams, indicating a growing concern over personal safety amid pickpocketing and theft fears.
One in 20 have also ruled out travel completely in 2024, citing the risks of disruption being "too high", and a small number (7 percent) said they are too concerned about "geopolitical instability" to contemplate travelling at all.
However, for those looking at going abroad, it appears "bucket list" destinations are now more favoured than the once traditional "flop and drop" beach holidays.
Europe has become the number one travel destination, beating out Australia and pushing previous winner Fiji down the list. The Pacific Islands are the destination of choice for only 8 percent of those surveyed, down from 15 percent in 2022.
New Zealand and the United States were also still proving popular with would-be travellers.
The insurer also said three-quarters (77 percent) of all respondents said they would purchase travel insurance for their next trip, regardless of their planned destination.
