Psychologist explains why Aussies keep going back to Bali

For some, holidays are a chance to head to new places and explore the world.

But others prefer the comfort of heading to the same place over and over again, for a chance to really lean into the relaxing part of being on holiday.

New research from InsureandGo has found more than three-quarters of Australian travellers opt for the certainty of places they already know when picking international destinations for their holidays.

Almost half of survey respondents said they repeat holiday destinations because they know exactly what to expect, making things so much easier once they arrive.

One of the top places they love to return to is Bali.

Chantelle, a blogger known on social media as Fat Mum Slim, tells nine.com.au she estimates she’s made at least 10 trips to the Indonesian island.

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The main thing that keeps her coming back? How easy it is as a holiday spot.

“It’s one flight from most airports within Australia. It’s mostly English-speaking, so no need to have learned a whole language (although knowing a few words is nice), and it’s affordable,” she said.

“There’s great joy in getting a whole meal for $3 and really enjoying it.”

Another drawcard she points to is there’s something for everyone – nightlife, wellness and plenty of opportunities to spend time together as a family.

She said she fell in love with Bali the first time she visited, with her sister.

“There’s something about returning to a place you know and having that familiarity,” she said.

“We don’t do the same thing each time, and we never just stay within the walls of one resort. We all just feel happy, free and whole in Bali... and who wouldn’t go back for a dose of that now and then?

“It’s been perfect for my kids through all their ages, and especially now through their teen years as well,” she added.

Psychologist Sandi Mann noted that returning to a familiar place reduces the demands on our brain, particularly in terms of decision-making.

“Our brains take less effort to process familiar stimuli than new and novel ones. This means we can hit the relax button as soon as we step off the plane,” Sandi said.

She said revisiting a place tied to good memories also reawakens the feelings attached to it.

“Going to a place that is associated with happy times in the past kick starts our emotional memory and triggers other positive memories, so we end up feeling better and better as more happy memories resurface,” she added.

For Chantelle, it also helps that Bali is such a welcoming place.

“I think with all the stress that we have in our lives, Bali and the people of Bali, have this way of wrapping their arms around you as an Aussie and saying, ‘We’ve got you. Let us take care of you’,” she added.