Smartraveller turns 21
For 21 years, Smartraveller has been a trusted and knowledgeable authority for Australians preparing to travel or already travelling overseas. That’s over 20 years of helping Australians stay safe with travel advice.
Although we weren’t always known as Smartraveller, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has informed Aussie travellers since the 1970s.
The department first published a booklet, ‘Notice to Australian travellers’, which we included with every newly issued passport.
In 1985, the department published a brochure titled ‘Everyone’s guide to trouble-free overseas travel’. However, until the mid-1990s, the department only published travel advisories for countries where there was serious concern for the safety of Australian travellers.
In 1996-97, following the government’s e-strategy, the department began publishing travel advisories on the DFAT website. And to reach even more Aussies, Smartraveller joined social media in 2011!
Today, Smartraveller has information from passports, visas and travel insurance to detailed travel and cultural advice on over 175 destinations.
In the latest survey with the Insurance Council of Australia, 50% of travellers said they’d use a Smartraveller channel for advice.
Remember for your next overseas trip to make Smartraveller your first destination, subscribe for free updates and follow us on social media. (S/T)
