According to the “Well Traveled Survey” commissioned by Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing digital travel platforms, 30% of those in Vietnam have never traveled before and only 1% of Vietnamese have been to more than 10 countries.

Britons lead the way for globetrotting, taking the top spot for the highest number of international countries visited, with the average British traveler visiting 12 countries, closely followed by Australians who average 10 international destinations. Vietnam along with China and Indonesia averaged the fewest countries visited (two countries).

Agoda’s “Well Traveled Survey” reveals travel trend comparisons by gender and age, for countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, plus the UK and US, ahead of World Tourism Day on 27 September.

According to the survey findings, almost seven out of 10 people have visited up to 10 countries (68%), with Middle Eastern travelers from United Arab Emirates (92%) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (82%) in the lead, followed by Thailand (76%), Malaysia (75%) and Japan (71%).

The UK has the largest proportion who have traveled to more than 31 destinations (5%), followed by Australia (4%), Thailand (3%) and the United States (2%).

In Agoda’s home markets of Asia Pacific, Malaysians were most likely to have traveled to more than 10 countries (11%), followed by Thais (8%), Indonesians (2%), and Vietnamese (1%).

“Whether it’s looking to find yourself or just the need for a relaxing break in the sun after working hard throughout the year, it’s clear people everywhere – regardless of age or gender – love to travel,” says Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda. “And with so many ways and reasons to travel, and bustling cities, breathtaking beaches or rich arts and cultural centers to explore, it’s no wonder that the number of people visiting up to 10 countries is so high.”

Never traveled abroad

Meanwhile, the data also found that 18% of people have never traveled to another country at all, with a surprising 13% of over 55s never having traveled internationally.

Interestingly, among the non-Asia Pacific markets (United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Americans are the least traveled, with 29% having never been overseas.

Gen Z and Millennials biggest groups where travel still hasn’t taken off

Globally, 27% of 18-24 year olds have never traveled with individuals from China, Vietnam and Indonesia most likely to never have traveled at 49%, 45% and 37% respectively.  However, in the 25-34 age group, where the global average is 19% having never traveled, Vietnam is pushed out of the bottom three by the US.

By 45-54 years old, 86% have traveled abroad, while 81% of the 25-34 years age group has already traveled to other countries.

“While it seems Gen Z and Millennials are yet to have the opportunity to travel as extensively abroad as other age groups, the gap between those who have never traveled internationally is shrinking fast. It will be exciting to see the potential cultural and socio-economic gains once those from China, Vietnam and Indonesia start traveling more,” Timothy adds.

Gender no barrier for travel for Asia Pacific travelers

Overall, 19% of women have never traveled outside their home country versus 17% of men.  Only the United States, Vietnam and Indonesia showed significant differences in percentages of males and females traveling – 66% of females versus 76% of males in the United States have traveled internationally at least once, and 67% females compared to 74% of males in Vietnam.  An equal percentage of men and women in Vietnam have been to 6-10 countries (5%). Indonesia bucks the trend with 72% of women having traveled internationally before, compared to only 65% of men.

About the data

The results, are based on an Agoda.com commissioned survey conducted by YouGov, in June 2019 of those aged 18 and above in 11 markets: Australia (AU), China (CN), Indonesia (ID), Japan (JP), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Malaysia (MY), Thailand (TH), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and Vietnam (VN).

Read the full story here and download the Well Traveled Survey 2019 infographic here.