In a summer travel snapshot reported in December 2023, Expedia data put Tokyo ahead of Bali as the leading international destination for Australian travellers. That finding describes a particular seasonal ranking—not proof that Japan is now Australians’ enduring favourite, or that a trip to Japan costs less than Bali.
What the 2023 ranking actually said
PerthNow reported on 10 December 2023 that Expedia data placed Tokyo first among international destinations Australians were interested in for the summer season. Singapore ranked third, while Osaka and Kyoto also featured among leading destinations; New York followed. The article did not publish the complete ranking table.
The accessible account does not specify the ranking’s exact measurement period, whether it measured searches, bookings or accommodation demand, or the underlying methodology. The result should therefore be attributed to PerthNow’s account of Expedia data, rather than treated as a precise measure of all Australians’ travel choices. PerthNow’s December 2023 report also confirms the seasonal framing.
Why the result is not a current Australia-wide verdict
Travel rankings depend on when they are measured and what they count. An earlier Expedia.com.au list, reported by ABC News, ranked Bali first and Tokyo second for Australian international accommodation demand as of 10 January 2023. That was a different period and a stated accommodation-demand measure, so it does not contradict the later summer report; it illustrates how a destination’s position can change with the date and metric.
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More recent Expedia Group data offers a useful but different point of comparison. Its Q2 2026 first-party search ranking for APAC travellers placed Tokyo first and Osaka fifth among top searched destinations. This is a regional search ranking, not an Australia-only result and not a direct comparison with Bali. It shows Japanese cities remain prominent in Expedia’s APAC search data, but does not establish that Japan currently outranks Bali among Australians. Expedia Group’s Q3 Traveller Insights, published 12 August 2026, reports that ranking.
For historical context, ABC News’ January 2023 account identifies the earlier list as Expedia.com.au accommodation demand as of 10 January.
What may have helped draw Australians to Japan
PerthNow’s explanations were suggestions and attributed observations, not proof of what caused the ranking. Expedia Brands managing director Daniel Finch said, “It’s really quite interesting as there has been a shift this year with people looking for a cultural as well as a weather change,” and linked the shift to financial pressures. The article also pointed to interest in snow and Japan’s cultural cities, as well as the restoration of direct Perth–Tokyo flights.
Those factors can help explain why Japan appealed to some travellers, but the report did not establish how much each contributed to Tokyo’s position or whether cost pressures made Japan cheaper. Two travellers quoted in the story described different trade-offs: Rebecca Vasilas valued Japan as a nearby option with a shorter flight than Europe or the US, while Nastassja Xydias said Bali was more affordable and accessible than Japan for her own trip. These are personal experiences, not a representative survey.
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- PerthNow reported that more than 400,000 West Australians were expected to travel to Bali in 2023. The passage does not identify who made that forecast, and it is not a confirmed final traveller count.
- Intrepid Travel said Japan was its highest-growing destination and, as reported by PerthNow, increased its 2024 Japan departures by 51% after Japan was the company’s top-selling destination in a recent Cyber Sale. This reflects one operator’s sales and capacity decisions, not the number of Australians choosing Japan overall.
- Expedia Group’s Q2 2026 APAC ranking gives positions—Tokyo first and Osaka fifth—but no search-volume totals.
How to compare Japan and Bali for your own budget
The 2023 ranking is not a cost comparison. To decide which destination fits your finances, compare the whole trip for the same dates and departure city rather than relying on a broad claim that one country is cheaper.
- Price flights from your city. Compare fares and journey times for your dates, including whether a direct route is available. Perth–Tokyo flight availability was part of the 2023 article’s context; it does not establish current routes or fares.
- Compare like-for-like accommodation. Check the total for similar locations, room standards, stay lengths and cancellation terms.
- Budget local spending. Estimate transport, meals and activities based on the itinerary you actually want, not just the headline airfare.
- Choose the trip style before comparing totals. Japan may suit travellers seeking cities, culture, nature or snow; Bali may suit a beach or resort-focused break. Season and weather can affect both the experience and the price.
Because prices vary by travel date, departure point and itinerary, the available ranking evidence cannot establish which destination is cheaper for a particular Australian traveller.
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