Aussies ditching Europe-bound stopovers for Bali and Asia are being hit with a surge in “holiday-ruining stomach bugs”, with travel insurers reporting a sharp rise in costly gastro claims across the region.
New data from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) found Asia accounted for a whopping 85 per cent of all gastro-related claims lodged so far in 2026, with Indonesia alone making up more than half of all global cases.
While many cases are “mild”, some travellers have ended up in hospital with severe dehydration and secondary infections, with the average gastro claim now costing about $1,100.
In serious cases involving ambulance transfers and hospital stays, bills have climbed as high as $5,600, levelling a “significant financial hit”.
SCTI chief customer officer Jess Strange told Yahoo Lifestyle the spike reflected a “clear shift in where and how Australians are travelling”.
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“Asia has become a major transit and holiday hub for Australians, whether they’re heading there directly for a getaway or using it as a stopover en route to Europe,” she said.
“With that increased exposure comes a higher incidence of gastro illness claims, particularly in destinations where travellers are more likely to encounter unfamiliar bacteria through food, water or hygiene standards that differ from what they’re used to at home.”
Indonesia remains the most common location for “Bali belly” and similar ailments, with more than half (57 per cent) of all global gastro claims this year originating there.
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Jess said a lot of the claims stem from “simple moments travellers don’t think twice about”, such as eating fresh fruit or salad that may have been washed with unfiltered water.
How can I avoid gastro on holiday?
While travel to Asia continues to boom, health experts are warning Aussies to be careful about where and what they eat overseas.
Jess warned that a lot of claims stem from “simple moments travellers don’t think twice about”.
.That includes eating fruit or salad washed in unfiltered water, accepting ice in drinks, or buying food from vendors where hygiene standards may be unclear.
“We always encourage travellers to wash or sanitise their hands regularly, drink bottled or properly filtered water, avoid uncooked foods where possible, and be selective with street food by choosing busy stalls with high turnover and food cooked fresh in front of you,” Jess told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“These small precautions can significantly reduce the risk of picking up a stomach bug.”
Her warning echoed advice from World Travel Protection, which recommends travellers only eat food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot, while avoiding uncooked vegetables, salads and seafood where possible.
Experts also advised choosing busy restaurants, as high customer turnover can reduce the risk of contaminated food sitting out for long periods.
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Aussies are more keen on heading to Bali (left) than European hotspots like Italy's Amalfi Coast (right) for July.
Aussie travel habits shift from Europe to Asia
Europe has traditionally been the go-to winter escape for Australians, but ongoing tensions in the Middle East and fears around flight disruptions have pushed many travellers toward Asia-Pacific destinations instead.
Consumer group Finder’s travel expert Angus Kidman previously told Yahoo Lifestyle many Aussies were nervous about flying through hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
“People are worried after the Middle Eastern crisis, and points when there were no flights at all going through that area, that if they book on an airline to fly through that area, it could all just disappear at short notice,” he said.
“That's really what's behind driving down the interest in Europe.”
The trend is backed by new Booking.com data, which found 22 of the top 30 destinations Australians were searching for in July were in the Asia-Pacific region.
Bali hotspots, including Seminyak, Sanur, Legian and Ubud, all featured heavily on the list, alongside destinations in Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.
New data from eSIM brand HolaFly also found purchases for Japan increased by 27.5 per cent between 2025 and 2026, while Korea rose 29.4 per cent and the Philippines climbed 24.2 per cent.
Angus said affordability was also driving Australians toward Asia.
“The Asia Pacific has a reputation for being a cheaper holiday compared to the northern hemisphere because you don’t have to fly as far, and day-to-day living is traditionally much cheaper,” he said.
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