Easter bookings across Australia jump 19.6%

Hotel bookings for Easter 2025 have climbed nearly 20 percent compared to last year, according to new data from SiteMinder, the world’s leading hotel distribution and revenue platform.

The analysis, which compared Australian properties and eight other markets 30 days before Easter in both years, shows travellers are not only booking in greater numbers but securing their accommodations earlier than in 2024.

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SiteMinder’s data shows that, over the five-night holiday period, these properties have each already received 3.35 more bookings on average, compared to Easter 2024. Australian properties have seen 3.8 additional bookings per property, while Spain shows the highest overall growth with 6.75 additional bookings per property.

Locally, Adelaide is leading the way with an additional 7.4 bookings per property, followed by Hobart (7.1 additional bookings), Surfers Paradise (6.3) and Cairns (5.9). Growth is lower in Brisbane (2 additional bookings), Melbourne (0.2 additional bookings) and Sydney, where properties are receiving roughly one less booking per property, year-on-year.

Commenting on the data, SiteMinder’s Market Vice President – Asia Pacific, Bradley Haines, says, “The strong Easter booking trends we’re seeing are encouraging, with destinations outside Australia’s three largest cities performing particularly well. Especially with this period coinciding with the school holidays, it’s clear that it’s an ideal time for Aussies to get away before the cooler months kick in, and for hotels to look to technology to capitalise on the high demand.

The data reveals a growing trend in Average Daily Rate (ADR) across markets globally. Two-thirds of analysed destinations, including Australia, are seeing ADR growth for the Easter period, with Portugal and Spain again leading with a 13.7% and near 8% increase, respectively.

Booking lead time has increased from an average of 87 days in 2024 to 96 days in 2025, a rise of 9.63%, as confidence remains strong and travellers make plans further in advance. Stays in Portugal have been booked the furthest ahead at 105 days, while France has the shortest booking window at 85 days among the markets analysed. Italy has recorded the largest percentage increase in lead time at 15.51%, followed by the United States at 13.43%. Notably, Australia is the only destination where lead time is slightly shorter, year-on-year.

While booking volumes and lead times are increasing, the average stay length for Easter 2025 has declined by 3.43%, dropping from 2.33 to 2.25 days globally. Only Italy and Australia have recorded modest increases in length of stay, with gains of 1.53% and 1.46%.

This shift is occurring alongside changes in traveller origins. When comparing completed stays from Easter 2024 with current bookings for Easter 2025, all analysed markets except Australia are seeing a rise in the proportion of international guests. Italy and France demonstrate the most dramatic shifts, with Italy’s international guest percentage increasing from 58.53% of actual stays in 2024 to 76.58% of current bookings for 2025, while France has jumped from 48.88% of 2024 stays to 67.97% of current bookings for the coming Easter.

“With Easter falling almost three weeks later this year than in 2024, we’re seeing notable shifts in travel patterns around the world. While most markets are experiencing earlier bookings and more international guests, Australia is bucking these trends in interesting ways. It’s the only country with a shorter booking window, one of just two seeing increased stay lengths, and is maintaining its proportion of domestic guests. Underpinned by strong demand, everything points to a successful Easter season for Aussie hotels,” says Haines.

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