The campaign signposts the actions Britons should take as they
prepare to travel abroad
- Campaign recommends travellers
check FCDO travel advice for their destination
- Travellers prompted to get
appropriate travel insurance
A new campaign starts today urging Britons to Get Travel Smart
before they go abroad this summer.
The campaign, which will run across Foreign, Commonwealth &
Development Office (FCDO) social media channels, is supported by
partners including TUI, Gatwick Airport, Liverpool John Lennon
Airport, ABTA and the Association of British Insurers. It will
signpost travellers to the essential information they need as
they prepare to go overseas.
With people across the country planning holidays, the campaign
recommends traveller check FCDO travel advice and get travel
insurance before they leave.
Research shows that FCDO travel advice is the most commonly used
and trusted source of advice for Britons travelling abroad. In
2021, there were over 150 million views of FCDO travel advice
pages.
There is FCDO travel advice for over 200 destinations which is
kept under constant review to ensure it reflects the latest
information. FCDO travel advice aims to provide objective
information and advice to help British people make
better-informed decisions about international travel and plan for
a trouble-free trip. It covers essential topics including entry
requirements, safety and security issues, health risks, details
about local laws and information on the threat from terrorism.
The campaign will also emphasise the importance of getting
appropriate travel insurance and making sure travellers know what
their cover does and does not provide.
Jennifer Anderson, Director of Consular, FCDO,
said:
“People are naturally excited about what may be their first
holiday abroad for 2 years.
“The first step for anybody thinking of going abroad is to
Get Travel Smart and check the FCDO’s travel advice and subscribe
to updates.
“In the event of an emergency overseas, a consular officer is
available 24/7 to provide initial support and advice. But
purchasing the right travel insurance, declaring
any pre-existing conditions and familiarising yourself with
policy exemptions is an absolute must. Without insurance, you
risk being left with a bill of thousands of pounds if things go
wrong while abroad”
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
– The Travel Association, said:
“This summer will be the first time that many people
have travelled overseas since the start of the pandemic, so we’re
keen to remind holidaymakers of the important steps they need to
take to have a safe and enjoyable trip such as checking FCDO
travel advice, making sure their passport will be valid for their
travel dates and taking out travel insurance.
“When travelling, people should make sure they
arrive at the time advised by their airline, get the travel
documents they need ready for check-in, and familiarise
themselves with the rules around hand luggage.”
In addition to the Get Travel Smart campaign, the British
Consulates in Palma and Ibiza are running their annual campaign,
now in its third year, encouraging young British holidaymakers to
“Stick With Your Mates” and have a holiday to remember, rather
than one to forget. The campaign is also set to run in Cyprus.
The Stick With Your Mates campaign was developed in response to a
number of tragic accidents involving young British tourists
visiting the Balearic Islands – many involving falls.
Investigations by the British Consulate in Palma found that the
vast majority of serious incidents took place when the
individuals were on their own, having been separated from
friends. The campaign gives young people tips and advice on how
to look after each other and help avoid serious accidents on
holiday.
