Europe is set to benefit from a surge in Australian youth travel as Contiki launches a promotion reimbursing the full AUD 412 cost of an Australian passport-the most expensive in the world-for eligible travelers booking select 2026 European tours before December 25, 2025, according to travelandtourworld.com.
The offer targets Australians aged 18–35 who do not currently hold a valid passport, a hurdle that has delayed or derailed overseas travel plans for many. Research shows nearly one in five young Australians lack a passport, despite strong interest in international travel, representing around 1.4 million potential first-time travelers.
By removing the upfront cost of documentation, Contiki aims to unlock this pent-up demand and drive early bookings for multi-country European itineraries. The initiative is designed to accelerate travel decisions, boost forward bookings across Europe, and build long-term loyalty among first-time international travelers.
Eligible customers booking Europe trips of 13 days or longer for 2026 can receive full reimbursement of the passport fee, with the offer capped at 200 redemptions to encourage early action. Popular tours include itineraries such as European Adventurer and Greek Island Hopping, which combine transport, accommodation and social experiences tailored to young travelers.
The passport reimbursement can be combined with Contiki’s existing discounts, including group and loyalty offers, further improving affordability without changing base tour prices.
Surveys indicate 85% of passportless young Australians would book an overseas trip immediately if passport costs were covered, highlighting the scale of latent demand. By addressing the earliest barrier in the travel journey, Contiki positions Europe as the primary beneficiary of renewed outbound youth tourism from Australia in 2026 and beyond.
Source: travelandtourworld.com
