Forget Australia - Tauranga people are choosing more exotic destinations such as South America, Uzbekistan and Antarctica for their holidays.
While many still choose Australia or the Pacific Islands, an increasing number are looking for destinations off the beaten track.
Figures were not available but local travel agents were able to provide anecdotal comment.
Mondo Cherrywood manager/director Annie Sale said she had just had a group of 16 people spending 35 days in South America.
"They were all in their 60s and 70s, they spent 30 days in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil," she said.
"I think a lot of interest in these places comes from documentaries they see on TV, those sorts of shows really do push buttons and get people interested."
Ms Sale said other popular and unusual destinations were Croatia, Russia and Scandinavia.
House of Travel Papamoa adventure specialist Jemma Wilson said huge groups of people were starting to get more adventurous.
"It tends to be baby boomers at the moment who are really branching out. A big destination for us at the moment is central Asia. It's a bucket list destination and it's not hugely touristed, so it's hugely popular."
Harvey World Travel manager Lydia Haydon said for many people it was about having a unique stamp on their passport.
"A lot of people are looking at destinations which are opening up to tourists, such as Pitcairn Island.
"There's also more people climbing Mount Everest and travelling to places like Borneo, Israel and Jordan. I think it's in the Kiwi blood, we're all a little bit adventurous at heart."
Travelcom director Roger Miller said he had not seen an increase in Tauranga people choosing unusual destinations, because New Zealanders had always been adventurous. "They have been going to these kinds of places for a long time, we get plenty of people going everywhere. South America is very popular, as is Asia and North America."
Flight Centre managing director Mike Friend felt the increase in travel to the more unusual destinations was due to a combination of factors, including affordability and accessibility.
Top international travel booking increases in June
Indonesia, 110 per cent increase
Samoa, 90 per cent increase
Also increasing: Mexico, Brazil, Hawaii
- Flight Centre data compared to June 2012