Travellers unaware that carry-on bags carry €3,000 to €5,000 worth of technology

Insurance experts Everywhen say the hand luggage carried by holiday makers and business travellers has quietly become one of the most valuable items people take away. Just one premium smartphone, laptop, tablet and smartwatch can easily exceed £3,000. Add in wireless earbuds, a dedicated camera, e-reader, portable games console or specialist photography equipment, and it is not uncommon for the contents of a holiday maker or business traveller’s carry-on bag to approach or even exceed £5,000.

The shift reflects how holiday and business travel has evolved. Travellers are increasingly staying connected throughout their trips, whether that is navigating unfamiliar cities, streaming entertainment on long journeys, sharing experiences on social media or checking in with work while abroad. For many people, the cabin bag has become an all-in-one portable office, cinema, navigation system and communications hub. As summer travel reaches its peak, the biggest investment many people take overseas may not be the holiday itself, but the technology they carry through the departure gate.

The modern holiday has undergone a major transformation, with technology becoming as essential to travel as sunglasses and sunscreen, according to insurance experts at Everywhen.

Darren Walsgrove shared: “Most of us never stop to think about how much value we’re carrying when we head off on holiday or on a business trip. Technology has transformed the way we experience travel. It keeps us connected, makes journeys easier and allows us to capture memories instantly.”