Media Release
FA112 - 07 September 2003
Campaign to Promote Travel Advisories
Today I launch a major media campaign to promote the Government’s comprehensive travel advisory service.The “smartraveller.gov.au – it’s a must see destination” campaign has a simple but vital message for all Australian travellers – it’s in your interest to consult the Government’s travel advisories before going overseas.
This message will be carried by advertisements on free-to-air and pay television and in metropolitan newspapers and magazines over the next three years. The aim is to ensure that all Australians who travel overseas are aware of the vital information that is provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Travellers should consider this information before they leave and even check it for changes while they are away. The advertising campaign highlights how these simple checks can minimise the risks for travellers and maximise the chances of a hassle-free journey.
More than 3 million Australians travel abroad each year. Recent international events including terrorist alerts, the SARS outbreak and changes in some countries’ visa conditions have underlined the need for people to access our up-to-date information.
The travel advisories produced by my Department cover issues that might affect the welfare of Australians in more than 140 overseas countries and they are all updated regularly.
They can be accessed through the internet at www.smartraveller.gov.au. The website also contains other valuable information about overseas travel and the Department’s consular services. It is also available through my Department’s website at www.dfat.gov.au/travel or by phoning 1300 139 281.
I am also pleased to open today a touch-screen kiosk in Adelaide’s International Airport to give travellers direct access to the smartraveller website. The kiosks already operate in Sydney and will be rolled out in other Australian airports over the coming months.
These new kiosks and our media campaign demonstrate our on-going commitment to protect the safety and welfare of Australians overseas.
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