More than a third book summer holidays online
Australians are being urged to Stay Smart Online as they increase their summer holiday travel bookings over coming weeks.
Findings from the International and National Visitor Survey, conducted by Tourism Research Australia 2010, indicate more Australians are planning and booking holidays online.
In 2010, nearly half of all domestic travel was booked online, increasing annually more than six per cent each year since 2007.
The increased use of the internet for bookings and reservations has highlighted the importance of online security and how to best support Australians to explore online travel options safely and confidently.
Mr Abul Rizvi, Deputy Secretary of Digital Economy & Services at the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy said Australians were embracing the ease of making travel arrangements online and comparing the best holiday deals.
“It’s now normal to research and book online, and that’s a great change in how we manage our whole lives, not just travel,” Mr Rizvi said.
“We’re seeing the world become smaller and smaller and, while the convenience is obvious, we can also inadvertently place ourselves at risk of fraud when making holiday bookings.”
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy provides some simple tips for Australians planning this year’s summer holiday online.
- Be wary of travel websites that look suspicious, unprofessional or make unrealistic promises
- Read all the fine print when making flight bookings, including refund and cancellation policies
- Make bookings via secure websites beginning with ‘https’ and look for a locked padlock in the browser
- Check the currency for international bookings and be aware of any additional charges
- Use a secure payment method for reservations
- Avoid money transfers and direct debit, and never provide your bank details via email
- Always print and keep a copy of any receipts for flight bookings or accommodation
Visit www.staysmartonline.gov.au for easy to understand information and safety tips for home internet users, small businesses and schools.Stay Smart Online is an Australian Government initiative, supported by National Cyber Security Awareness Week, held annually in partnership with more than 500 industry, consumer and community organisations, and all levels of government.
The Awareness Week aims to help Australians understand some of the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online.
For more information or interview opportunities please contact:
| Jakob Hesketh | Claire Robertson |
| Porter Novelli | Porter Novelli |
| M: 0416 938 360 | M: 0437 076 342 |
| E: jhesketh@porternovelli.com.au | E: crobertson@porternovelli.com.au |
