Next time you plan an overseas holiday, don’t forget to budget for a ’shopping stopover.’   News.com.au featured a story about Stopovers boom as Aussies choose to ’shopover.’

Relax, break your journey and shop for great bargains.

STOPOVERS are becoming the hottest new travel trend with one in three Australians taking advantage of the opportunity to shop on the way back from their holidays.

Travel booking website travel.com.au has reported a 30 per cent increase in Aussie travellers booking a stopover in Asia, up from 18 per cent last year.

Australians are becoming travel savvy with the intention to go for “cheap and chic” shopping trips, or “shopover’s”, travel.com.au’s General Manager of Brand Lisa Ferrari said.

“We have been fielding calls from customers keen to extend their stay in Asia, with travellers intending to shopover during their long haul journeys,” Ms Ferrari said.

The benefits of taking a shopover include finding great deals and getting the chance to indulge in some relaxation.

“A shop-over is the ultimate solution when breaking up a long trip and they allow you to pick up some great bargains you can’t get at home,” Ms Ferrari said.

“There are great advantages when stopping over, not only will you eliminate the affects of jet lag – it allows travellers to see two destinations for the price of one flight.”

Ms Ferrari said with 2009 drawing to an end, Aussies are still making the most of the bargain airfares and strong Australian dollar by saving and spending in Asia.

The best destinations for “shopping over” are Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, according to travel.com.au.

News.com.au : Travel News:  Stopovers boom as Aussies choose to ’shopover.’

By Kate Schneider

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