According to new research by Finder, one in four Australians (23%) – equivalent to 4.9 million people – ran into trouble while travelling in the last 12 months.
One in 10 endured delays while 8% lost their belongings and 4% of voyagers ended up in hospital. A disturbing 3% say they were scammed, while the same percentage (3%) missed their flight.
Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder, said holidaymakers were experiencing disruptions ranging from inconvenient to extreme.
“No one goes on holiday expecting to be met by misfortune. Being injured or robbed is a nightmare that can derail the best-laid holiday plans,” he said.
“Scammers often create fake websites or listings that mimic legitimate services. Before making any payments, verify the authenticity of the website and look for secure payment options.
“Notify your bank of your intended destinations so they know to expect activity from where you’re visiting.
“Use secure Wi-Fi connections when accessing sensitive information and consider using a virtual private network (VPN) while away from home.”
Kidman said travel insurance is a critical part of planning a journey.
“Many Australians assume nothing will go wrong, but the reality is that mishaps are more common than you might think.
“My golden rule? If you can’t afford the insurance, you can’t afford the holiday.”
