Aussies prioritise safety

A NEW travel survey conducted by Nielsen has found that 61% of Australians claim concerns around safety affects their desire to take a holiday.

More specifically, 28% of 18-24 year-olds and 43% of people aged 25 and older said they’re travelling less as a result of the growing “magnification” of incidences such as acts of terror and natural disasters.

However, 41% of those who reported safety concerns said they continue to travel but take “extensive precautions” before setting off on holiday, with Nielsen revealing that visits to the Australian Government Smartraveller website have increased by 49% since last year, along with the uptake of travel insurance, which has grown by 23% in the last five years.

Travellers who prioritise safety revealed a preference to visit well-known destinations which they perceive as being safer, including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Thailand and Indonesia; they are also more likely to consider all-inclusive holidays, cruises and resorts, and twice as likely to purchase travel insurance compared to the general population.

The survey identified safetyconscious travellers as mostly younger people (57% under 45 years-old) who live in capital cities (60%), with an almost even split between males and females (49% and 51% respectively).

Nielsen said the results of its survey revealed a unique market which the travel industry can tap into, describing organised pre-planned trips, safe travel destinations and education on safety precautions as factors that would appeal to this particular group of travellers.

Access Smartraveller site here: www.smartraveller.gov.au.