INSURANCENET.INFO

Phase three of the Smartraveller programme was launched on Friday by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd MP, with AFTA Chief Executive, Jayson Westbury heralding the new initiatives as “a fantastic way to engage with travellers and the industry”.

The $13 million Government funded campaign has been in development for over four years and was in need of a revamp following a surge of some 2 million Australian travellers to 7.6 million in the past five years, according to Mr Rudd.

Calling the campaign “smarter”, Mr Rudd said it would push Australia to the forefront of consular services offered across the globe.

The three pronged approach will see the roll out of various advertising to the public, including radio, print and digital ads, with television commercials already on air.  Each ad underlines specific advice , the first focussing on ensuring every Australian registers their details before departing, the second  requests travellers read and subscribe to travel advice notifications when abroad, and thirdly to take out adequate and proper travel insurance.

“People who think (travel insurance) is an optional extra have rocks in their head  … It’s a dumb thing not to do,” Mr Rudd said.

“If you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford to travel.   It really is that simple.”

This latest phase will also see the roll out of a new interactive website utilising social media, with separate portals for youth travellers.  Four clear levels of travel advice is displayed and can be accessed via smartphones, also allowing the traveller to register to updated alerts before departing.

iPhone app is expected to be launched shortly, complimenting the DFAT Twitter account released earlier this year.

The initiative also includes dedicated work some 30,000 travel agents across Australia.

“Working with the travel industry, we have developed new interactive e-learning tools.  To make it easier to help people register their travel and to make it easier to give them advice about the country they are heading to,” Mr Rudd said.

AFTA welcomed the developments for the travel industry in particular, saying it would assist the industry in learning about the program and what circumstances the Government can and cannot help their clients whilst overseas.

“Travellers today get their information from a vast range of sources and to have the option to get up to date and reliable information from Smartraveller, no matter where in the world you are, is a major step forward in looking after our travelling Australians,” Mr Westbury said.

Source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com