Australian travellers are visiting overseas battlefields in greater numbers than ever before, according to a company that specialises in organising tours to foreign battlefields.
“We’ve seen a jump of more than 30% in passenger numbers for our 2012 Anzac Day in France Tour,” said Mat McLachlan, battlefield historian and founder of Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours.
“Since the first Anzac Dawn Service was held in France in 2008, the tour has really grown in popularity,” said Mr McLachlan.
But it’s not just France that has seen strong growth in battlefield visitors.
“Gallipoli is still a popular destination, but Australians are getting more knowledgeable and adventurous. We now send people on battlefield tours all over the world, including to destinations that they never previously would have thought of,” said Mr McLachlan.
McLachlan said that examples of these new destinations include the Pacific islands, Germany, the UK and Vietnam.
“Vietnam has become a very important destination for us. Veterans and their families are now ready to go back for the first time since the war, and we’ve had to add a second coach for our tour in April next year to deal with demand,” he said.
McLachlan stressed that visiting a battlefield was a moving experience compared to a standard sightseeing tour.
“Most Australians have a family connection with past wars, and it’s amazing to go to a battlefield and walk in the footsteps of a father, uncle or grandfather,” he said.
“There’s something uniquely Australian about it. It’s something every Australian should be proud of.”
