Tag: foreign and commonwealth

Online travel agent Directline Holidays (www.directline-holidays.com ) reports a surge in bookings to Tunisia over the last week leading to a 16% increase at the same week last year. CEO Maria Whiteman said: “Travellers undertake careful research before booking a vacation so that they know that, in terms of Tunisia, the coastal resorts remain safe and are unaffected by the events within the capital Tunis and near the Algerian border which were widely reported over recent days. Thousands of Tunisians depend on tourism for his or her livelihoods and the feedback from our customers is that the rustic remains open for business: it can be as hospitable and enjoyable as ever. The surge in recent bookings is because of great value holidays, especially all-inclusive packages, and the resilience of UK holidaymakers determined to enjoy their summer.”

She added: “We always adhere to, and recommend our customers to follow, all advice issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding where it’s safe to travel. Current advisories don’t mention the favored coastal tourist resorts.”

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Due to the ongoing political unrest in Egypt the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has recommended against all but essential travel to the rustic, with the exception of the Red Sea Resorts.

Holidaymakers currently in, or travelling to within the following few days, areas that the FCO advises against travel to, along with Cairo and Luxor, are advised to contact their tour operator or travel agent.

Holidaymakers to the Red Sea Resorts, similar to Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, aren’t suffering from the change of recommendation and can have the ability to continue their holidays as planned; the resorts are operating as usual.

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One British national has died and 3 more was injured this month alone after falling from balconies while on holiday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and ABTA – The Travel Association, have renewed calls to young Brits keeping off on holiday this summer to take extra care on balconies.

The latest incidents take the full selection of reported cases this year thus far to seven. Last year there have been 14 incidents, lots of which involved adolescents and alcohol.  This prompted the FCO and ABTA to launch a campaign warning of the hazards and providing advice and recommendations on staying safe.

With the summer holiday season barely underway the newest incidents highlight the desire for continued vigilance on balconies, particularly in popular destinations similar to Sunny Beach (Bulgaria) and Majorca (Spain) where recent cases have taken place.

Jon O’Shaughnessy, British Consul in Sofia, said: “Last year we needed to take care of several deaths and injuries from balcony falls, and unfortunately we’re already experiencing balcony accidents again. Our staff have seen the devastating effects a momentary lapse in judgement may have at the victim and their family and we’re working hard to make certain people understand the hazards. Accidents can and do happen and climbing from balcony to balcony, jumping off them or drinking excessively while on one only increases your probabilities of something going wrong. All too often these incidents cost lives however the risks may be avoided in case you take a moment to only imagine the potential consequences.”

Last year Jake Evans and his family gave us a harsh reminder of just how wrong things can go when he shared his story of falling seven floors after slipping over the sting of his balcony while looking to reach for something at the balcony below. Jake’s story are available on www.gov.uk.

Nikki White, ABTA’s Head of Destinations and Sustainability, said: “As we head into peak summer time, we’re again urging young holidaymakers to give thought the aptitude risks of balconies. We see too plenty of people permanently injured or worse because they’ve tried to climb over or dive off their hotel balcony. We wish people to enjoy their holidays but would advise them to contemplate the ramifications in their behaviour abroad. Incidents corresponding to these have devastating consequences for holidaymakers and for his or her families. By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, tourist authorities and ABTA Members in resort we are hoping to assist holidaymakers stop and consider how they use their balconies to avoid more of those tragic and avoidable incidents.”

This summer, the FCO and ABTA are urging teens:

*  Understand the hazards – climbing over or jumping off balconies could have serious consequences
*  Know your limit – alcohol can impair your judgement and warmer climates can often increase the effect of drinking
*  Get comprehensive travel insurance – be prepared for if something does get it wrong. Figures released in July this year showed that Spain is the rustic where most Britons require consular assistance, including 1105 hospitalisations.

“Given the new history of protests and civil war in numerous holiday hotspots in North Africa and the center East, it’s understandable that UK travellers to Turkey may feel a bit unsettled by TV and media reports of demonstrations within the country.

“As a result, and unsurprisingly, we’ve seen a slight dip in enquiries to the world but UK holidaymakers appear resilient and continue to enthuse concerning the country’s attractions and hospitality. Some new enquiries are searhing for alternative resorts which represent similar value, proximity to UK and culture and as a consequence we’ve been touting Cape Verde and Egypt as popular alternatives.

“At the instant the disruptions mainly focus around urban areas and cities so those travelling to holiday resorts are mainly unaffected. After all, we endorse all travellers follow the recommendation given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, available on their website, and we’re monitoring Turkey closely so if the location changes we will contact our booked customers.

“There aren’t any refunds available on trips already booked to Turkey while the location remains safe.” says Maria Whiteman, CEO of Directline Holidays.