Australians are being reminded to pack caution alongside sunscreen and souvenirs this holiday season, as a new survey reveals nearly three in four travellers have fallen ill or been injured while away.
The research, conducted by Compare the Market and polling more than 1,000 people nationwide last month, found stomach illnesses are the most common holiday spoiler. Gastro affected 29 per cent of respondents, often leaving travellers dehydrated and sometimes requiring hospital care.
Colds and flu came next, impacting 26 per cent of respondents, followed by food poisoning at 17 per cent, motion sickness in 12 per cent, and Covid-19 in 8 per cent. Less frequent but more serious incidents such as insect bites, heat stroke, third-degree burns, car crashes, and broken bones were each reported by about 2 per cent or fewer.
Older Australians appear to bear the brunt of travel tummy troubles, with both Generation X and Baby Boomers recording gastro rates of 30 per cent. Millennials were more likely to be struck by food poisoning, with 38 per cent reporting at least one episode.
Experts say stress reduction and changes in routine can leave the body more vulnerable to infections, as lower cortisol levels weaken immune defences. The poll covered both domestic and international trips, which may explain the higher illness rate compared with last year’s findings. In 2023, when the focus was solely on overseas holidays, 42.5 per cent of respondents reported getting sick, with gastro again the leading cause.
Travel insurance remains a key safeguard, offering financial protection for medical treatment or trip cancellations. Premiums, often just a small share of a total holiday budget, can save travellers from steep hospital or health bills that may otherwise run into the thousands.
Simple precautions such as handwashing, staying hydrated, and checking vaccinations before departure can help reduce risk. But as the survey makes clear, even the most prepared traveller can fall victim to the holiday lurgy.
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