For Hawkesbury residents planning an extended overseas trip, new research suggests there is more to choosing a destination than sightseeing, weather and price.
Research released by travel connectivity company Holafly found almost half of the frequent and long-stay travellers surveyed had delayed or avoided medical care abroad, even when they believed they needed it.
The company reported that 47.5 per cent had put off seeking care, while 20.3 per cent lacked confidence they could find a healthcare provider they trusted if something went wrong.
The findings also highlighted the emotional pressures of extended travel. Some 32.2 per cent reported burnout linked to their travel lifestyle, and 32.3 per cent reported feeling isolated from their usual social or emotional support networks.
Holafly has released two indices examining healthcare access and the conditions that can support traveller wellbeing.
Its Healthcare Index 2026 compared 17 countries using measures including access to doctors and hospital beds, emergency care, healthcare quality, insurance requirements, language, specialist waiting times and pharmacy access.
Germany ranked first, followed by Portugal and Argentina.
According to Holafly, Germany performed strongly on universal health coverage, specialist waiting times and emergency response, with the emergency response assessment drawing on Berlin data.
Portugal combined solid healthcare coverage with strong pharmacy access.
A separate Wellbeing Index 2026 assessed 25 destinations across eight factors: community, noise, green space, exercise, healthy food, daylight, cost of living and healthcare.
The combined Canggu/Ubud entry in Indonesia ranked first, ahead of Lisbon in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain.
Holafly attributed the Indonesian destinations’ result to quiet surroundings and a strong food and fitness scene, while noting comparatively limited healthcare access.
Lisbon performed consistently across the categories and recorded the strongest healthcare access among the destinations assessed. Barcelona scored well for community and green space, although its cost of living counted against it.
The results suggest that the two rankings measure different aspects of a stay abroad: a destination can offer an appealing daily lifestyle while having limitations in access to medical care.
Holafly also found that lower costs did not necessarily mean better wellbeing scores. Six of the eight destinations with the greatest measured wellbeing deficits Lima, Hanoi, Cusco, Bogotá, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City were described by the company as well-known affordable travel destinations.
Holafly’s top 10 destinations
| Rank | Healthcare: countries | Wellbeing: destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | Canggu/Ubud, Indonesia |
| 2 | Portugal | Lisbon, Portugal |
| 3 | Argentina | Barcelona, Spain |
| 4 | Georgia | Berlin, Germany |
| 5 | Hungary | Budapest, Hungary |
| 6 | Croatia | Tulum, Mexico |
| 7 | Spain | Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| 8 | Bulgaria | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 9 | Peru | Bansko, Bulgaria |
| 10 | United Arab Emirates | Split, Croatia |
The rankings cover only the countries and destinations selected for the studies. They are not a comprehensive worldwide comparison, and Australia was not included in the published top 10 lists.
The media release did not provide the traveller survey’s sample size, survey dates or recruitment method, limiting how broadly its percentages can be interpreted.
For locals considering weeks or months overseas, the research raises useful questions about a destination beyond its attractions: how accessible is healthcare, what does daily life cost, and how easy will it be to maintain routines and connections with others?
