Despite the rise of TikTok travel inspo and AI trip planners, new research from travel insurer PassportCard Australia reveals that traditional travel agents remain a trusted go-to for Aussies, with over 1 in 3 Aussies (39%) still booking their holidays through a travel agent.
That’s more than double the number of Australians using TikTok (15%) or AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini (14%), proving that experience, trust and personal advice still matter for Aussies booking travel.
When it comes to planning holidays more broadly, Aussies are blending digital tools with more traditional methods. The most popular channels include Google search (67%), followed by online travel agencies (59%), direct airline or hotel websites (56%), and travel agents (39%) showing that agents continue to maintain their relevance in an increasingly digital world.
“While tools like TikTok and AI are shaking up the industry, our data shows Aussies still value the reassurance and expertise that comes from speaking to a real person. It’s clear that even in a world of TikTok travel hacks and AI-generated itineraries, personalised support and advice from a travel agent is still a big part of how Australians plan and book their holidays”, said Peter Klemt, CEO of PassportCard Australia.
The same research revealed that with Labubu fever sweeping the nation and some reselling for a whopping $1,000, nearly 1 in 4 Australians (22%) say they’d take out travel insurance to protect the viral charm before heading overseas. That number jumps to almost 1 in 3 (30%) among Millennials and Gen Z, with 1 in 5 young travellers believing Labubus will be a target for thieves across Europe this summer.
“It might seem ridiculous to insure a toy, but it speaks volumes about how emotionally invested people are in what they pack. When you consider some Labubus are now selling for nearly $1,000 on resale sites, it makes sense why they want to protect them. At PassportCard we firmly believe whether it’s a tech device or a Labubu bag charm, if it’s important to you, it’s worth protecting,” said Peter Klemt.
The research also revealed that many Australians are heading overseas with high-value items in their luggage but aren’t always clear on what their travel insurance actually covers. One in three (38%) say they’re travelling with $2,000–$5,000 worth of belongings, yet over half (57%) admit they only have a general idea of what’s included in their policy.
When asked what they’d be most upset to lose while on holiday, Aussies ranked tech items like phones, laptops and AirPods highest (88%), followed by sentimental belongings such as jewellery, gifts and keepsakes (64%), and clothing (21%).
“Australians are often travelling with valuable personal items, but many don’t know what their policy actually covers until something goes wrong. Whether you book through a travel agent, a website or an app, insurance should never be an afterthought, and we want Aussies to feel informed and supported when it comes to what their policy includes”, added Klemt.
With the European holiday season in full swing, PassportCard is urging travellers to make sure they are taking out cover for their travels and to ensure they’re booking through trusted sources, whether that’s a travel agent, reputable travel website or established booking platforms.
