While younger travellers are known for being more adventurous, research has found that this results in them taking more unnecessary risks.
According to Smartraveller, Australians under 30 are leading the way in adventurous travel. But research reveals many are missing key steps to protect themselves from financial and health risks abroad.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) recently partnered to research Australians’ sentiments around travel, travel insurance, and Smartraveller. The research found that younger travellers aged 18-29 are more likely to travel uninsured, engage in risky behaviours and overlook critical travel advice.
- 23 per cent of young travellers went overseas without any travel insurance.
- While 83 per cent of all travellers were aware of methanol poisoning, 30 per cent of young travellers who drank alcohol on their trip consumed drinks with unfamiliar labels and 17 per cent drank from shared jugs or buckets.
- Two in five (43 per cent) young travellers visited a destination they perceived to be risky. One in twenty (5 per cent) travelled to a destination they would describe as very risky.
- Although 64 per cent of young travellers were aware of the Smartraveller website, only 37 per cent reviewed destination-specific travel advice before their last trip.
- Despite being more likely to travel to a Level 3 or Level 4 destination, two in five young travellers (58 per cent) were not aware they may not be covered by travel insurance if travelling to these destinations.
Encouragingly, nine in 10 (88 per cent) travellers who were aware of Smartraveller said its advice influenced their choice of destination, and 83 per cent said Smartraveller advice influenced their insurance decisions.
Don’t get influenced into taking risks
Almost half (45 per cent) of all Australian travellers were willing to take risks in pursuit of unique or memorable experiences, with half (50 per cent) of those under 30 saying they had seen dangerous destinations promoted in a positive way, specifically because they feel risky, by influencers or in the media.
Travelling somewhere uncommon or unsafe can seem thrilling. Especially if you’ve seen others do it and return safely. But visiting locations where Australia and other governments advise ‘Do not travel’ can put your life in serious danger. No amount of likes are worth the risks.
Natalie Ball, director of Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, said the findings highlight the need for greater awareness of travel safety and the consequences of risky behaviour.
“Young Australians have the world at their feet, but too many are underestimating the risks,” Ball said. “From travelling to high-risk destinations to consuming unsafe alcohol, too few realise how easily these choices can impact their safety.”
Additionally, the DFAT report revealed that too many young Australians are still jetting off without travel insurance.
“This kind of overconfidence can really backfire,” she added. “Every year, Aussies get hit with eye-watering medical bills overseas because they travelled uninsured or misunderstood what their policy actually covered.”
A quick hospital visit can cost tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes more. According to DFAT and confirmed by those that have learned the hard way, travel insurance is not an optional extra- it’s an essential part of being prepared to travel.
“It’s an often-repeated phrase but it’s totally correct; if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel,” says Ball.
