Travel Alerts

RAW Travel is continuing to closely monitor the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Firstly, we’d like to offer reassurance that all our trips across our different regions are operating safely and without incident. On the ground,  there has been no safety impact on our trips across Europe and Asia, Australia and NZ. We understand this may feel like an unsettling time, and please know we’re here to support you and keep you informed and confident with your travel plans. 

There are ongoing airspace disruptions across the Middle East region, which we are fully aware are causing concern and uncertainty for travellers who’ve booked their flights on that route. Middle Eastern carriers are currently offering options for refunds and rebooking options for travellers due to depart soon. You should contact your airline or booking agent directly for the latest information and options on your chosen flight dates, and also consider rebooking on an alternative flight route.  This is a fluid situation so please check with your airline / travel agent for their latest advice. 

We appreciate that there are speculative media reports regarding jet fuel shortages & future impacts, and this may add to concerns around overseas air travel as well. Whilst airlines are pre-emptively cutting back on flight schedules and imposing small fuel-related surcharges (which are being monitored by agencies like the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission), there is no firm evidence at this stage to believe that International flights will cease to operate. If you are travelling within the next 2 months, we advise you to check with your airline directly regarding any concerns with future scenarios and/or potential compensation, as terms and conditions vary between airlines and fare classes. 

We still advise against making any reactive decisions and cancellations to your European, Japanese or other trips with us.  RAW Travel will adapt to any new significant circumstances that may occur, and provide whatever flexibility we can, given that we ourselves have contractual obligations to all the suppliers we have engaged for your travel arrangements and have a need to safeguard our ongoing relationships with these suppliers and their livelihoods. Our advice at this stage is that our trips on the ground are unaffected, normal booking conditions still apply for any cancellations and you should contact your travel insurer to check whether you are covered for any changes or not.

Travellers should continue to follow the guidance of their own government’s travel advice and check with their airlines for updates regarding potential flight disruptions.

RAW Travel is monitoring the ongoing situation in the Middle East. At this stage we advise there is no impact on operating our trips in Europe and Asia.

There are airspace disruptions across the Middle East region and this is a fluid and fast-moving situation, but at this stage we don’t advise making any cancellations to your Europe-based or Japan trips with us. Travellers transiting through major Middle Eastern hubs (including Doha, Dubai, Muscat or Abu Dhabi) should contact their airline or booking agent directly for more information, alternative routes and their latest advice.

Travellers should continue to follow the guidance of their own government’s travel advice and check with their airlines for updates regarding ongoing flight disruptions if travelling via the Middle East. Our advice at this stage is that our trips on the ground are unaffected, normal booking conditions still apply for any cancellations and you should contact your travel insurer to check whether you are covered for any changes or not.

CORONAVIRUS & GENERAL TRAVEL UPDATE MAY 2024

All of our trips are operating as planned for 2024.

RAW Travel continues to monitor the impact of world events and COVID-19 and government responses in Australia and around the world. We base our decisions to operate trips on the official travel advisories issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), local government authorities in each country and a variety of other sources, including the World Health Organization. Unless the official advisories change, we will continue to run trips as we usually would.

If a traveller tests positive for COVID-19 and decides to continue their journey, they must take additional precautionary measures to prevent transmission, such as wearing a mask when in close proximity to others.

As we adhere to the government health regulations in the destination country, a traveller may be required to isolate or leave the trip.

In cases where immediate removal of a positive case from a trip is impractical (such as in remote locations), stringent isolation protocols will be enforced to protect fellow travellers and to assist the affected person.

We recommend our travellers:

• check with airlines regarding any potential changes in services

• purchase travel insurance when booking and check with the travel insurer regarding policy coverage

• read the advice provided for your destination before you go via Smartraveller

• refer to the World Health Organization for specific Coronavirus information and advice.

Please be assured that we will continue to adapt our policy if any further issues affecting our trips evolve. The validity of any international trip credits issued by RAW has been extended and will be subject to price increases imposed by our network of suppliers on the ground. If you have booked for 2024 or 2025 and want to change your dates, you will need to pay an amendment fee.

Important information

As per our Booking Conditions, deposits paid at the time of booking trips are non-refundable, taking into consideration the investment RAW has made in planning and booking your trip. RAW Travel’s costs are incurred upfront in organising your trip, on your behalf. If your trip was suspended due to border restrictions which prevented travel, you will have a trip credit for future use to that value*  We strongly advise taking out travel insurance at the time of booking should world events, illness, injury or personal circumstances prevent you from departing as planned.

*Non-recoverable costs: for trips where we have already paid costs, RAW Travel will endeavour to obtain refunds from all its various suppliers on the ground to your advantage. Any unrecoverable costs, however, will be deducted against a future trip credit.

Airline bookings

Please check with your airline and flight invoice as to their policies for the air component of your journey. Each airline has different policies regarding transfers of dates and fees. It is strongly recommended that you first look at your airline’s website for updated information as there may be long call waiting times. Please note RAW travel no longer books flights.

Anything else?

If you have any questions about your trip and options as they apply to your situation, please do not hesitate to contact your RAW Travel Destination Expert by email or at info@rawtravel.com. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you on your travel plans.

CORONAVIRUS & GENERAL TRAVEL UPDATE MAY 2023

All of our trips have been operating as planned in 2023. If you have a travel credit with us, this is now extended and valid for travel departure before the end of 2024 to give you a greater opportunity to travel. Travel using credit must be booked by 31 December 2023, for travel in 2023 or 2024.

You can use your trip credit towards a 2023 or 2024 trip (on any website itinerary of your choosing). If using your credit is not possible, you can also choose to transfer your deposit to a friend or family member including one other traveller in your group.

RAW Travel continues to closely monitor the impact of world events and COVID-19 and government responses in Australia and around the world. We base our decisions to operate trips on the official travel advisories issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), local government authorities in each country and a variety of other sources, including the World Health Organisation. Unless the official advisories change, we will continue to run trips as we usually would.

We recommend our travellers:

• check with airlines regarding any potential changes in services

• purchase travel insurance when booking and check with the travel insurer regarding policy coverage

• read the advice provided for your destination before you go via Smartraveller

• refer to the World Health Organization for specific Coronavirus information and advice.

Please be assured that we will continue to adapt our policy if any further issues affecting our trips evolve. The validity of any international trip credits issued by RAW has been extended to 2024 if needed, and will be subject to price increases imposed by our network of suppliers on the ground. If you have booked for 2023 and want to change your dates, you will need to pay an amendment fee.

Important information

As per our Booking Conditions, deposits paid at the time of booking trips are non-refundable, taking into consideration the investment RAW has made in planning and booking your trip. RAW Travel’s costs are incurred upfront in organising your trip, on your behalf. If your trip was suspended due to border restrictions which prevented travel, you will have a trip credit for future use to that value*  We strongly advise taking out travel insurance at the time of booking should world events, illness, injury or personal circumstances prevent you from departing as planned.

*Non-recoverable costs: for trips where we have already paid costs, RAW Travel will endeavour to obtain refunds from all its various suppliers on the ground to your advantage. Any unrecoverable costs, however, will be deducted against a future trip credit.

Airline bookings

Please check with your airline and flight invoice as to their policies for the air component of your journey. Each airline has different policies regarding transfers of dates and fees. It is strongly recommended that you first look at your airline’s website for updated information as there may be long call waiting times. Please note RAW travel no longer books flights.

Anything else?

If you have any questions about your trip and options as they apply to your situation, please do not hesitate to contact your RAW Travel Destination Expert by email or at info@rawtravel.com. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you on your travel plans.

CORONAVIRUS & GENERAL TRAVEL UPDATE OCTOBER 2022

All of our trips have been operating as planned in 2022 with the exception of our Japan hikes. If you hold a credit with RAW travel, this is valid for travel departure before the end of 2023. Travel credits for travel to Japan are valid until June 2024 given this destination only re-opened for regular travel in October 2022.

RAW Travel continues to closely monitor the impact of world events and COVID-19 and government responses in Australia and around the world. We base our decisions to operate trips on the official travel advisories issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), local government authorities in each country and a variety of other sources, including the World Health Organisation. Unless the official advisories change, we will continue to run trips as we usually would.

If DFAT issues an advisory ‘do not travel’ or ‘reconsider your need to travel’ in the specific location where we operate a trip, affected customers will be notified and provided with options as per our booking conditions.

In this current environment, we recommend our travellers:

• Check with your airline regarding any potential changes in services

• Check with your travel insurer regarding your policy coverage.

• Read the advice provided for your destination before you go via Smartraveller.

• Refer to the World Health Organization for specific Coronavirus information and advice.

If you have had your trip suspended, you can use your trip credit towards a 2023 date (on any website itinerary of your choosing.)   If using your credit is not possible, you can also choose to transfer your deposit to a friend or family member including one other traveller in your group.

Please be assured that we will continue to adapt our policy if any further issues affecting our trips evolve. The validity of any international trip credits issued by RAW has been extended to 2023 if needed, and will be subject to price increases imposed by our network of suppliers on the ground.

Important information

As per our booking conditions, please be aware that deposits paid at the time of booking trips are non-refundable, taking into consideration the investment RAW has made in planning and booking your trip. RAW Travel’s costs are incurred upfront in organizing your trip, on your behalf. If your trip was suspended due to border restrictions which prevented travel, you will receive a trip credit for future use to that value.  We strongly advise taking out travel insurance at the time of your booking should world events,  illness, injury or personal circumstances prevent you from departing as planned.

*Non-recoverable costs: for trips where we have already paid costs, RAW Travel will endeavour to obtain refunds from all its various suppliers on the ground to your advantage. Any unrecoverable costs, however, will be deducted against a future trip credit.

Airline bookings

Please check with your airline and flight invoice as to their policies for the air component of your journey. Each airline has different policies regarding transfers of dates and fees. It is strongly recommended that you first look at your airline’s website for updated information as there may be long call waiting times.

Anything else?

If you have any questions about your trip and options as they apply to your situation, please do not hesitate to contact your RAW Travel Destination Expert by email or on info@rawtravel.com. Our dedicated staff are continuing to work remotely and thank you for your patience and understanding at this time. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you on your travel plans,

CORONAVIRUS & GENERAL TRAVEL UPDATE June 2022

All of our Australian and most international 2022 trips are running as planned. If you hold a credit with RAW travel, this is valid for travel departure before the end of 2023.

RAW Travel continues to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 and government responses in Australia and around the world. We base our decisions to operate trips on the official travel advisories issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), local government authorities in each country and a variety of other sources, including the World Health Organisation. Unless the official advisories change, we will continue to run trips as we usually would.

If DFAT issues an advisory ‘do not travel’ or ‘reconsider your need to travel’ in the specific location where we operate a trip, affected customers will be notified and provided with options as per our booking conditions.

In this current environment, we recommend our travellers:

• Check with your airline regarding any potential changes in services

• Check with your travel insurer regarding your policy coverage.

• Read the advice provided for your destination before you go via Smartraveller.

• Refer to the World Health Organisation for specific Coronavirus information and advice.

If you have had your trip suspended, you can use your trip credit towards a 2022/3 date (on any website itinerary of your choosing.)   If using your credit is not possible, you can also choose to transfer your deposit to a friend or family member including one other traveller in your group.

Please be assured that we will continue to adapt our policy if any further issues affecting our trips evolve. The validity of any international trip credits issued by RAW has been extended until 2022 and 2023 if needed, and will be subject to price increases imposed by our network of suppliers on the ground.

Important information

As per our booking conditions, please be aware that deposits paid at the time of booking trips are non-refundable, taking into consideration the investment RAW has made in planning and booking your trip. RAW Travel’s costs are incurred upfront in organizing your trip, on your behalf. If your trip was suspended due to border restrictions which prevented travel, you will receive a trip credit for future use to that value.

*Non-recoverable costs: for trips where we have already paid costs, RAW Travel will endeavour to obtain refunds from all its various suppliers on the ground to your advantage. Any unrecoverable costs, however, will be deducted against a future trip credit.

Airline bookings

Please check with your airline and flight invoice as to their policies for the air component of your journey. Each airline has different policies regarding transfers of dates and fees. It is strongly recommended that you first look at your airline’s website for updated information as there may be long call waiting times.

Anything else?

If you have any questions about your trip and options as they apply to your situation, please do not hesitate to contact your RAW Travel Destination Expert by email or on info@rawtravel.com. Our dedicated staff are continuing to work remotely and thank you for your patience and understanding at this time. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you on your travel plans,

CORONAVIRUS & GENERAL TRAVEL UPDATE MARCH 2022

RAW Travel continues to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis and government responses in Australia and around the world. Most of our 2022 European trips are running as planned and we are hoping Australians will be able to travel to Japan and New Zealand in the coming months. We are currently assisting with new bookings for Western Australia departing from April 2022.

We base our decisions to operate trips on the official travel advisories issued by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), local government authorities in each country and a variety of other sources, including the World Health Organisation. Unless the official advisories change, we will continue to run trips as we usually would.

If DFAT issues an advisory ‘do not travel’ or ‘reconsider your need to travel’ in the specific location where we operate a trip on account of coronavirus or unrest, affected customers would be notified and provided with options as per our booking conditions.

In this current environment, we recommend our travellers:

• Check with your airline regarding any potential changes in services

• Check with your travel insurer regarding your policy coverage.

• Read the advice provided for your destination before you go via Smartraveller.

• Refer to the World Health Organisation for specific Coronavirus information and advice.

If you have had your trip suspended, you can use your trip credit towards a future date or any website itinerary of your choosing including our Australian and New Zealand trips. If using your credit is not possible, you can also choose to transfer your deposit to a friend or family member including other travellers in your group.

Please be assured, however, that we will continue to adapt our policy as if issues affecting our trips evolve. The validity of any international trip credits issued by RAW has been extended until 2022 and into 2023 if needed, taking into account government restrictions on international travel and personal circumstances. Traveling in 2022/3 will be subject to any price increases imposed by our network of suppliers on the ground.

If your international trip is due to depart anytime from 01 March 2022 onwards, please know there are currently no changes planned to your trip and it is still scheduled to depart if international travel to your destination is possible by that time. We will notify you directly if your trip is suspended. 

Important information

As per our booking conditions, please be aware that deposits paid at the time of booking international trips are non-refundable, taking into consideration the investment RAW has made in planning and booking your trip. RAW Travel’s costs are incurred upfront in organizing your trip, on your behalf. You will, however, receive a trip credit for future use to that value.

*Non-recoverable costs: for trips where we have already paid costs, RAW Travel will endeavour to obtain refunds from all its various suppliers on the ground to your advantage. Any unrecoverable costs, however, will be deducted against a future trip credit.

Airline bookings

Please check with your airline and flight invoice as to their policies for the air component of your journey. Each airline has different policies regarding transfers of dates and fees. It is strongly recommended that you first look at your airline’s website for updated information as there may be long call waiting times.

Anything else?

If you have any questions about your trip and options as they apply to your situation, please do not hesitate to contact your RAW Travel Destination Expert by email or on info@rawtravel.com. Our dedicated staff are continuing to work remotely and thank you for your patience and understanding at this time. We look forward to continuing to work closely with you on your travel plans.

The RAW Travel Team