Swine flu is having less of an impact on business and leisure tourism than the global economic downturn, according to a consumer sentiment survey conducted by NRMA Travel.
Just over one in 10 respondents indicated swine flu discouraged them from travelling, whereas 27 percent of respondents said current economic conditions made them less likely to travel.
“The current economic conditions are also having an impact on business travel with 39 percent of respondents cutting back on flights and accommodation,” added Tony Stuart, CEO of NRMA Motoring & Services Group.
The quarterly survey also showed an upswing in consumer sentiment, with 77 percent of respondents seeing the next 12 months as a good time to travel, a five percent rise from the May survey.
The survey included responses from 1,300 NRMA members.
