ABTATravelTrends Report2012

ABTATravelTrendsReport2012
2011TravelMarketOverview 2012TravelMarketOutlook KeyTrends2012: 1. Authenticandspecialistholidays 2. Budgetandluxurytravel 3. Hotdestinations 4. Agegrouptrends 5. OnlineVshighstreet 6. Latebookings 7. Sustainabletourism 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 8 9 2 3

ObservationsfromtheForeignandCommonwealthOffice(FCO) 2012DomesticOutlook

ABTADestinationstoWatch2012 o Longhaul o Colombia

10 10 11 12 12

DominicanRepublic Mexico SriLanka TheUSA

Midhaul CapeVerde Egypt Greece Jordan Turkey 13 13 14 14 15

Shorthaul IcelandandAuroraBorealis Poland/Ukraine Serbia Spain Tunisia 16 16 17 17 18 19

FCOGeneralAdvice

2011TravelMarketOverview
TheBritishpublicshowedremarkableresiliencein2011whenitcametotakingtheirholiday;facedwith uncertaineconomicconditionsandasqueezeonhouseholdbudgets,mostpeopletookthesamenumberof holidaysasin2010.AccordingtotheOfficeforNationalStatistics(ONS),inthe12monthstoSeptember 2011approximately36.3millionpeopletookaholiday(adecreaseof1%yearonyear),ofwhichitis estimated15millionwerebookedaspackages. FiguresfromtheABTAConsumerTrendssurveyshowedthatinthe12monthstoSeptember2011,63%of Britstookaforeignholidaywithathird(34%)takingmorethanonetripabroad.Figuresfordomestic holidayswerealsostrong,withapproximately4in5takingoneormorebreaksintheUK.Only10%ofthe populationtooknoholidays,eitherintheUKorabroad. Itwasachallengingyearforsomepopulartouristdestinations.Mostsignificantly,theArabSpringmeanta dramaticfallintourismtoNorthAfrica.ThedevastatingfloodsinThailandcausedadropinnumbers travellingtoBangkokandotherpartsofthecountryandanunseasonablymildNovemberin2011meant thatsomeoftheprimeEuropeanskiresortswerelatetostarttheirseasons.Spain,FranceandtheUSA wereamongstthemostpopulardestinationsof2011. Whenitcomestobookinghabits,travelagentsandtouroperatorsremainedapopularoptionin2011,with overhalfofconsumerswhotookaforeignholidaybookingthisway.Thismethodofbookingwasparticularly popularwiththeyoungerendofthemarket;withathird(32%)of1624yearoldsbookingthisway.42%of foreignholidayswerebookedasapackage,whichisexactlythesamepercentageasholidayswheretravel andaccommodationwerebookedseparately. Oneinfivetravellerswerestillgoingabroaduninsuredin2011,however,annualtravelinsurancepolicies havebecomeverypopularinthepasttwelvemonths,with30%oftravellersoptingforthis(upfromonly 13%in2010). ABTA,whichrepresentsaround1,300travelcompanies,sawitsmembersturnoverreach29.3billionfor the20102011financialyear,whichendedon30thJune2011,comparedto27.3billionintheprevious financialyearanincreaseof2billion,highlightingtheresilienceoftheholidaymarket.

2012TravelMarketOutlook
WiththeEurozonefinancialcrisisstillunfolding,highinflationandloweconomicgrowthforecastin2012, thesqueezeonhouseholdbudgetsissettocontinueintotheNewYear.Despitethegloomyeconomic outlook,theholidaymarketlookspoisedtoremainrelativelyresilient.FeedbackfromtheABTAConsumer Trendssurveyshowsthatholidaysarethelasttogowhenthepubliciscuttingbackonspending,with consumerschoosingtomakesavingsoneatingoutorhomeimprovementsbeforelosingoutontheir holiday.Oneinfiveconsumersissokeenontheirforeignbreaksthattheyregardalongertripoverseasasa necessitytheycouldntdowithout. Thecontinuingfinancialcrisisisexpectedtoseeholidaymakerscontinuetoseekvalueformoneyin2012, with71%ofconsumersbelievingthatgettinggoodvalueformoney,butnotnecessarilythelowestprice,is anessentialorimportantelementwhenbookingaholiday.Perhapssurprisingly,findingthelowestprices comesmuchfurtherdownpeopleslistofpriorities,withonly53%seeingthisasessentialorimportant.In factthiscamelowestoutofalistoftenconsiderationswhenbookingaholiday.Thefocusonvaluefor moneyratherthanthecheapestprice,suggestspeoplearethinkingcarefullyaboutwhattheywantand beingmorediscerningabouttheirholidaysandwheretheyspendtheirmoney. ThedoubleinflationriseinAirPassengerDutythatcomesintoeffectinApril2012willputadditional pressureonthetravelmarket.Longhauldestinations,whereafamilyoffourtravellingineconomyclasscan payupto368intaxes,arelikelytobemostaffected. Financialprotectionisexpectedtocontinuetobeapriorityforholidaymakersin2012.Recentevents,such astheAshCloud,andeconomicdownturnhavemadeconsumersmorecautiouswhenbookingtheir holidaysandeightin10(79%ofconsumers)nowseeafinancialprotectionschemeasessentialorimportant upfrom74%in2010.Duetothefinancialprotectiontheyoffer,packageholidaysareexpectedtoremain popular.ThereformofATOLregulationsinearly2012willalsoseeconsumerfinancialprotectionriseupthe newsagenda.

KeyTrends2012

1. Authenticandspecialistholidays
Withvalueformoneylookingtoremainakeytrend,alotofconsumersareincreasinglyseekingholidays thatofferamoreauthenticorspecialistexperience.Manytravelcompanieshaveincreasedtheirofferings intheseareas,recognisingthevaluetheycanbringbyusingtheirknowledgeandexperiencetocreatehighly tailoredandpersonalisedexperiences. Beachholidaysareexpectedtocontinuetoremainthemostpopularkindofholidaybutholidaymakers, particularlyatthemidtohighendoftheincomescale,areincreasinglylookingfordestinationsthathavea strongandauthenticsenseoflocation,ineverythingfromfoodandsettingtoexcursionsandentertainment. Thistrendisreflectedinsometravelcompaniesabandoningsummer/winterbrochuresinfavourof destinationonlytitleswithagreaterfocusonlocation.Severaltravelcompaniesatthehigherendofthe markethavealsolaunchedpackagesspecificallyfocusedonofferingauthenticexperiences.Theseinclude tripsforadventuroustouristssuchasexploringwildlifeintheGalapagosIslands,discoveringPatagoniaor walkinginAnnapurna,Tibet. Thetrendtowardsmoreauthenticexperiencesisalsosupportedbyanincreasedconcernamongst holidaymakersthattheirholidayisbenefitingthelocaldestination,with50%(asopposedto47%in2010) believingthattheirholidayshouldhelpthelocaleconomyandpeople. Specialistholidaysareexpectedtoperformwellin2012withtravelcompaniesofferingsomethingfor everyone,whetheritsacouplesholiday,rivercruise,minigap,spiritualspabreak,learning/adventuretrip orawedding/vowrenewal/honeymoonpackage. Thegrowingdemandforadultgaps,asemptynestersandadultsoncareerbreaksheadoffabroadto exploreandimmersethemselvesinanotherculture,isexpectedtodrivedemandforvolunteeringand learningbreaksforadultsandfamilies.Travelcompanieshaverespondedtothisdemandwithmanyoffering longerpackagebreaksforadultsorfamiliesthatincludevolunteering,conservation,teachingorlearninga newskillorlanguage.Holidaymakersgrowingconcernabouttheimpactoftheirholidaysonlocal destinationsmeansthatin2012itwillbecrucialfortravelcompaniestoensurethatthesetypesofbreaks haveapositiveandlongtermimpact. Cruiseholidaysareexpectedtocontinuetogrowmodestlyin2012afteraverystrong2011.ThePassenger ShippingAssociationestimatesthat1.73millioncruiseholidayswillbetakenbyBritishpassengersin2012, anincreaseofjustoveronepercentonthe2011figure.Rivercruisingisemergingasthefastestgrowing sectorofthecruisemarketwithEuropeanrivercruisesparticularlypopular. WeddingsabroadcontinuetobepopularandareseenasacheaperalternativetomarryingintheUKwhere researchnowindicatestheaveragecostis20,000comparedto6,500abroad.Mintel,aleadingresearch company,revealedin2011that1in5couples(18%)nowmarryabroad. Foreignhoneymoonsareexpectedtogrowinpopularityin2012.Manycouplesarealsooptingforamini mooninorclosetotheUKimmediatelyaftertheirweddingandthendelayingtheirhoneymoonoverseasto capitaliseonbetterweatherorcheaperdeals.

2. Budgetandluxurytravel
Thedownturnisexpectedtoseehighdemandforthebudgetandluxurymarketsin2012,withthemid marketcomingunderthegreatestpressurefromreductionsinhouseholdspending. 2011wasastrongyearforallinclusiveholidaysanddemandforthistypeofholidaylookssettocontinue into2012asbudgetconsciousholidaymakersfavourthetransparencyandcontrolallinclusiveholidays provideoverfinances.ResortsinTunisia,alongtheYucatnPeninsulainMexicoandaroundtheRedSeain Egyptarealllikelytooffergoodvalueandhighqualityaccommodationin2012. Thehighendofthemarketlookssettoperformwellin2012.Attheluxuryendofthemarket,thereisa growingtrendtowardsremoteanddiscreetholidays.Globalisationandovercommoditisationhasledhigh endholidaymakerstoseekoutlocationsthatareoffthebeatentrackwithacertainkudosattachedtogoing todestinationsthatarelesswelltrodden,suchasEthiopia,theGalapagosIslandsandAntarctica.

3. Hotdestinations
UncertaineconomictimesarelikelytoseeBritonsputtheirfaithinplacestheyknowwellin2012this suggestsdestinationslikeFrance,Italy,Greece,USA(Florida)andSpainwillfareparticularlywell.Early summer2012bookingsforthesedestinationsarealllookinghealthy,whilenumbersareslightlydownin otherdestinations,suchasEgyptandTunisia. JanuaryandFebruaryarethemostpopulartimesforpeopletobookaholidayandwhilecertainareasof NorthAfricacontinuetoexperienceunrest,holidaymakersshouldlookoutforgooddealsinareasthathave returnedtorelativecalm.TunisiaandtheRedSeaResortsinEgyptinparticularwillberelativelyaffordable withdealsonofferastravelcompanieslooktoluretouristsbackintotheseareas. Destinationstowatchnextyearinclude:PolandandUkraine,thehostsoftheEuropeanfootball championships;Jordan,whichiscelebratingthe200thanniversaryoftherediscoveryofPetra;CapeVerde, foritslowkeybeautyandrelaxingvibe;Iceland,asmeteorologistspredictaparticularlyspectacularyearfor theAureliaBorealis;andColombiawhichoffersdiversecultureandbeautifullandscapes. Spaincontinuestobethefavouritedestinationforfamilies,followedbytheUK,USA,FranceandGreece.

4. Agegrouptrends
Theover55s,orBabyBoomers,looksettoenjoylotsoftravelin2012asthegroupleastpreparedtogive uptheirholidaysintimesofeconomicdifficulty.30%ofthoseaged5564tookmorethanfourholidaysin theUKinthetwelvemonthstoSeptember2011and10%tookmorethanfourholidaysabroad.Cruise, coachandrailholidaysareallexpectedtobepopularwiththisagegroupastheytendtobelesstime pressuredthanyoungerholidaymakersandcanenjoythemoreleisurelypaceofthesetypesofholiday. Holidayscontinuetobepopularwiththebackpackerbrigadewithoneintenunder24stakingmorethan fourforeignholidaysayear. Thoseagedbetween35and54tookthefewestnumberofholidaysin2011,suggestingthatitiscash strappedfamilieswhohavebeenthehardesthitbycurrenteconomicconditions.

5. OnlineVsHighStreet
Whenitcomestoholidaybookinghabits,2012lookssettobeaninterestingyearwithchangesafootonthe highstreetandanexplosioninmobilebookingapps.Whateverthebookingmethod,customersare increasinglylookingtotravelcompaniestoprovidehighlypersonalisedinspirationandideasbasedontheir tastesandbudgets. Highstreetbookingshadabitofacomebackin2011;whileconsolidationsawoverallshopnumbersdecline, bookingswereup,with25%ofthepublicbookingtheirforeignholidayonthehighstreetcomparedto17% in2010.Perhapssurprisingly,thismethodofbookingwasmostpopularwithyoungerholidaymakers,with nearlyathird(32%)of1524yearoldsbookingtheirholidayonthehighstreetcomparedtojust15%of45 54yearolds.Tocapitaliseonthisdemandforinpersonbooking,in2012severalmajortravelcompaniesare expandingtheirhighstreetpresenceandwecanexpecttoseecompaniesadoptnewapproachestobetter competewithanddifferentiatethemselvesfromonlineoutlets. FollowingthesuccessofstoreslikeApple,manytravelcompanieswillplaceagreaterfocusoncreatingan instoreexperiencein2012,movingawayfromrowsofbookingagentsbehinddeskstoprovidegreater interactionandfunforcustomerstobetterreflecttheproducttheyarebuying.TechnologysuchasiPads maybeusedtoenhancetheinstoreexperienceandmanycompaniesareinvestingmoreinthetrainingof theirfrontlinestafftoensuretheyoffercustomersahighlevelofexpertise. Onlinetravelcompaniesin2012arelikelytoinvestinmobileapps.Thebusinesstravellerisalreadywell cateredfor,butin2012manymoreleisureprovidersareexpectedtogetonboardwithanexplosionof consumersbuyingsmartphonesandothermobiledevices.Thechallengefortheindustryistokeepthe bookingprocesssimplewhileaddingvaluebydoingthingsthatcannotbedonethroughwebsites. Consumerscanalsoexpecttoseegreaterintegrationofoffandonlineadvertisingcampaigns,forexample throughtheuseofQR(quickresponse)codesthatallowcustomerstolinkstraightthroughtobookingpages usingtheirsmartphones.

6. Latebookings
Travelcompaniesareexpectingthatconsumerswillleaveitlatetobookin2012,liketheydidin2011,as theycautiouslywaitandseewhathappenstothejobmarket,exchangeratesandtheeconomy.The increaseinonlinebookinganddiscountsitessuchasGroupon,haveincreasedthebeliefthatitiseasyfor holidaymakerstowaittothelastminute,however,inrealitymanyofthebestdealsarestilltobefoundfor thosewhobookinadvancejustafterChristmas.Holidaymakersplanningonlastminutebargainsshouldbe awarethatchoicecouldbelimited,particularlyiftheyarelookingforsomethingspecificsuchasfamily deals.

7. SustainableTourism
Consumerawarenessoftheenvironmentalimpactoftheirholidaysisexpectedtocontinuetorisein2012. One in three holidaymakers now believes that holidays should have an environmental rating, such as that offeredbytheABTAdevelopedTravelifeSustainabilitySystem.ABTAestimatesthatthisrepresentsoverten millionpeopletakingforeignholidays.Thefigurehasgrownfrom29%in2010to33%in2011,andishigher amongst women 38%. The research also suggests that companies which invest in making their business better for the environment stand to gain a competitive edge, with 19% (up 2% from 2010) of consumers saying they are prepared to pay more for a holiday with a company that has a better environmental and socialrecord. 6

 TheUnitedNationsConferenceonSustainableDevelopment(Rio+20)willtakeplaceinJune,wherenations willcometogethertodiscusstheprogressmadeinthe20yearssincetheRioEarthSummitin1992andlook towardsacommonfuturedirection.Thisislikelytofurtherincreaseconsumerawarenessofsustainability issues. 2012willalsoseethelargescaleintroductionofthenewBoeing787Dreamliner.Thenewaircraftis20% morefuelefficientthanaircraftofanequivalentsizeandisthefirsttouseextensivelycompositematerials andisanimportantexampleoftechnologicaladvancesaddressingtheemissionsimpactofaviation.

ObservationsfromtheForeignandCommonwealthOffice(FCO)
TheForeignandCommonwealthOffice(FCO)dealtwithabout1.79millionconsularenquiriesfrom1April 2010to31March2011,andsupportedsome45,197Britsindifficultyabroad,fromvisitingthosewhohad beenhospitalisedorarrested,torescuingcitizensfromforcedmarriages.

BritonsinDifficulty
AsanindicationofthetypesofcasestheFCOdealswith,overtheperiodApril10March11,4,971Britons1 neededconsularassistanceinSpain.Therewere1,272BritisharrestsintheUSA,347deathsinThailand(of which60%wereofnaturalcauses)and452BritonswerehospitalisedinGreece.Inadditiontoassistance cases,FCOstaffaroundtheworlddealtwith1.79mconsularenquirieslastyear2. 1Lost/stolenpassportsarenotincludedinthefiguresbecauseinthevastmajorityofcases,theworkdone byconsularstaffismainlydataentrywithnoadditionalassistancerequired 2Anenquiryisarequestforinformationthatdoesn'trequireanyfurtheractionfromtheFCOstaff concerned.Acaserequiresactiontoassisttheindividualindealingwithwhateversituationtheyface.

Arrestsanddrugoffences
1,745BritonswerearrestedinSpainlastyear,significantlymorethananyothercountry.Globally,arrestsfor drugsoffencesformedasignificantpercentageofthetotal,andcontributedtoalmostaquarterofthetotal arrestsinThailand.Therewere799totalarrestsfordrugoffencesworldwidewhichaccountedforarounda seventhofallarrestableoffences.Chewinggum(Singapore),wearingswimwearawayfromthebeach (Barcelona)oreatingnearchurches(Florence)areallagainstthelawinsomecountriesorregions, highlightingtheneedforBritonstocarefullyresearchtheareatowhichtheyaretravelling.Locallawsand customscanvaryfromtheUKsignificantlyandignoranceoftheselawscanleadtomoresevere punishmentsthanintheUK.

Hospitalisationsanddeaths
ThehighestnumberofhospitalisationsoccurredinSpain(1,024),followedbyGreece(452),Thailand(246), France(228),theUSA(150)andTurkey(143).Manyofthesehospitalisationswereduetomopedand motorbikeaccidentsaswellasdrinkrelatedincidentssuchasbalconyfalls.Alloftheseincidentsescalate overthesummermonthswiththeincreaseinconsumptionofalcoholanddrugs.Therewere5,972reported deathsofUKcitizensabroadincludingnaturalcauses,accidentaldeathsandmurders.

Passports
LostorstolenpassportswerebyfarthemostfrequentproblemencounteredbyBritishtouristswith25,969 reportedincidentsworldwide.TheFCOrecommendsphotocopyingimportantdocumentssuchasyour passportandstoringthemseparatelyfromtheoriginalsifappropriate,onasecuredatastoragesiteonline tospeedupthereplacementprocesses.Variouscountriescontinuetoreportincreasesinscamsandthefts ofBritishpassportssotravellersareadvisedtostayvigilant. ThisreportcontainsfactsandtraveladvicefromtheForeignandCommonwealthOffice.Forcomprehensive anduptodatetraveladvicevisitwww.fco.gov.uk/traveltofindthelatestinformationforthecountryyou arevisiting.

2012DomesticOutlook
StillridinghighfromtheWillsandKateeffect,theUKlookssettohaveafurtherboostin2012withthe Olympics,ParalympicsandtheQueensDiamondJubilee.Theseeventswillbeastrongpullforboth internationalvisitorsanddomesticholidaymakers. TheDiamondJubileeisbeingcelebratedwithadoublebankholidaygivingmanypeopleafourdayweekend inJune(25),providingagreatopportunityforholidaysathomeandabroad.WiththesuccessfulRoyal Weddingcelebrationsstillfreshinpeoplesminds,manystreetsandtownsarelikelytoholdtheirownstreet partiesandfestivities. InthesummertheOlympicGameswillbeamomentouseventfortheUKandLondoninparticular.With8.8 millionticketssold,theCapitalwillbebusyduringthetwoweekevent.WhileLondonwillbethecentreof theaction,eventsarealsotakingplaceacrossthecountryinWeymouth(Sailing),Broxbourne(Canoeing), andHadleigh(MountainBikes)whileManchester,Newcastle,Cardiff,Coventry,GlasgowandWembleywill allhostfootballmatches. TheTorchRelayprovidesanopportunityforallareasofthecountrytoshineandcelebrate,takingplace between18Mayto27July.TherelaystartsinLandsEnd,CornwallmovingtotheNorthviaWales,theIsle ofMan,andNorthernIrelandacrosstoScotlandreachingtheShetlandIslandson10June.Thetorchthen headsSouthviaEdinburgh,headingalongtheeastcoastandintoEastAnglia,continuingitsjourneyintothe SouthEastandChannelIslandsbeforearrivingintoLondoninlateJuly. Filmsoftenprovideaboostfortourismand2012isnodifferent.InMarchwewillseethelongawaited openingoftheWarnerBros.StudioTourTheMakingofHarryPotterinLondon.Potteraficionadoswillhave thechancetodiscovertheiconicsetsofthefilmincludingtheGreatHall,Dumbledoresoffice,theboys dormitory,theWeasleyskitchenandmanymore. ScotlandisembracingitselfforthereleaseofthenewDisneyPixarfilmBrave,beingreleasedinJune.Itis anewtaletojoinmanyoftheepicbattlesandmysticallegendsofScotlandwhereacourageousgirl,Merida, confrontstradition,destinyandthefiercestofbeaststodiscoverthetruemeaningofbravery. ScotlandwillcontinuethecelebrationoftheOlympicsandParalympicGamesinAugustwithaSpeedofLight festivalatArthursSeat,Edinburgh.Thefestivalisamassparticipationeventbringingtogethersportand innovation;runnerswillwearspeciallydesignedlightsuitsatnighttoilluminatethehillsidewhilstthe audiencewillalsogeneratelightcreatingaspectacularsightonthehillsideinEdinburgh. InNorthernIrelandthecentenaryoftheTitanicwillbecommemoratedinAprilinBelfast.TheTitanicwas builtinBelfastand2012seestheopeningofamultimillionpoundTitanicBelfastvisitorattraction,enabling thevisitortorelivethestoryoftheillfatedship. InWales,2012marksthecelebrationofthe100thBirthdayoftheNationalShowcavesCentreforWales.The FfestiniogandWelshHighlandRailwaysarejoiningtoenablerailenthusiaststotravelforthefirsttimealong the40milesofnarrowgaugetrackfromCaernarfontoBlaeneuFfestiniogthroughtheSnowdoniaNational Park,makingitthelongestheritagerailwayrouteinBritain. Forwalkingenthusiasts,the850milescoastlineofWalesisopeningtowalkersinMay2012,makingitoneof theonlycountriesintheworldwherevisitorscanwalktheentirecoastlinealongmarkedtrails.

ABTAsDestinationstoWatch2012

Longhaul

Colombia
MostfirsttimevisitorstoColombiaareadvisedtoheadtothenorthofthecountrytothebeautifulcolonial walledcityofCartagena.BuiltbytheSpanishasabaseforprotectionagainstmostlyEnglishpirates, CartagenaisaUNESCOworldheritagesiteandacityofbeautifulsquaresdottedwithcathedrals,churches andrestaurants.CartagenaisastoppingoffportonmanyCaribbeancruisesandnotfarfromthecityarethe 27RosarioIslands,anationalparkwhichhassomeofthemostunspoiltbeachesintheCaribbean.Likemost SouthAmericancountriesColombiahasatastyandvariedcuisinewithanemphasisonfreshingredients.If youfindyourselfinColombiaintherainyseasonyoumayevenbeofferedtheunusualdelicacyofants, whichareregardedasapotentaphrodisiac! VisitorstoColombiascapitalBogotawillfindaninterestingarchitecturalmixofcolonialandmodern architecture.Thecityhasbenefitedfromrecentinvestmentinrenovatingsomeofthemorehistoricpartsof town.Itboastsavibrantrestaurantandnightlifescene,packedwithlocals,touristsandpeoplefromallover Colombia. AlthoughthesafetyandsecuritysituationinColombiahasimprovedconsiderablyinrecentyears,visitorsto thecountryareadvisedtotakesensibleprecautionsandtoreadandfollowtheForeignOfficetraveladvice tothecountry. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice Colombiacontinuestohaveahighrateofkidnappingforransom.Streetcrimeisalsoaproblem inmajorcities,particularlyindeprivedareas. Duringtherainyseason(AprilJuneandSeptemberNovember),thereisariskoffloodsand landslidesafterheavyrainsthroughouttheColombianAndes.Seeklocaladvicebeforetravelling onmountainroadsafterheavyrain. AirporttaxforinternationaldeparturesforvisitorswhostayinColombiaforlessthanthree monthsisUS$34.ForstaysinexcessofthreemonthsthetaxisUS$68.However,thecharge dependsonthetypeofvisawithwhichyouareissued.

DominicanRepublic
TheDominicanRepublicisalivelyCaribbeanislandofferingpristinesandybeaches,colourfulstreetlifeand enoughadventureandwatersportstosatisfyeventhemostextremeadrenalinjunkie.Theeastcoastoffers 40kilometresofbeautifulwhitesandbeaches,atthecentreofwhichisthelowslungresorttownofPunta Cana,thelargestandfastestgrowingtouristdestinationintheCaribbean.Aswellasitsbeaches,PuntaCana offersgreatwatersportsandanecologicalparkwherevisitorscanhaveguidedtourstoseemanydifferent typesofbirdsandplants.OthernotableresortsontheislandincludeCabareteonthenorthcoast,whichisa surfersparadiseandPennsuladeSaman,anidyllictropicalhideaway.Forthosewantingabreakfrom beachlife,thecapitalSantoDomingoofferslivelystreetlifeandprettycobblestonestreets.

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 LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice YoumustholdavalidpassporttoentertheDominicanRepublic.Yourpassportmustbevalid foraminimumperiodofsixmonthsfromthedateofyourdeparturefromtheDominican Republic. Mostlocaltourcompaniesofferingexcursions,watersports,jeepandquadbikerental,horse ridingetcdonotprovideinsurancecover,soyoumustcheckthetermsandconditionsofyour travelinsurancepolicybeforeundertakinganysuchactivities. BeparticularlyalertifyoutravelfromtheairportLasAmericasinSantoDomingoatnight. Therehavebeenseveralreportsofpassengersbeingstoppedandrobbedand/orassaulteden routetotheirfinaldestination.Mostattackshaveoccurredearlyinthemorningorlateat night.

Mexico
2012issettobeMexicosyearwiththeMayancalendarcomingtotheendofa5,125yearcycle,which optimistspredictwillheraldthestartofanewspiritualera(thoughpessimistsfeartheendoftheworld).So letsbeoptimistic!ThecountryisshowcasingitsMayanheritagebothcontemporaryandhistoricalin2012. ThemajorityofUKtouristsarelikelytoheadtothebeautifulCaribbeanbeachesoftheYucatnpeninsula withtheresortsofCancunandCozumelleadingtheway.Theresorttown,PlayaDelCarmen,just50minutes southofCancunisemergingasagreatdestinationforfamiliesthankstoitssandywhitebeaches,fantastic restaurantsandrangeofactivitiesonoffer.Thoselookingforhistoryareadvisedtobasethemselvesinthe colonialtownofCampeche.ForsomethingalittlebitdifferentintheYucatn,holidaymakerscanvolunteer forthenotforprofitgroupElHombreSobrelaTierrastayingwithlocalinhabitants,gettingfirsthand experienceofMayancuisineandlifestylesaswellasworkingonarangeofecoprojects.Fromgourmet gastronomythroughtotraditionalMayanculture,actionandadventuretravelandecotourism,Mexicohas somethingforeveryone. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice AccordingtotheMexicanauthorities,touristnumbersfromtheUKareupby20%in2011over numbersin2010. MostvisitstoMexicobyBritonsareproblemfree,butcrimeandviolenceareseriousproblems inspecificareas.VisitorsareadvisedtotravelonlyduringdaylighthoursthroughoutMexico,to seekadvicefromlocalcontacts,andavoidtraveloffthebeatentrack. Inordertoreduceairpollution,MexicoCityandsomeotherregionsofthecountryhave introducedrestrictionsondrivingsuchasforbiddingcarsfromenteringcertainareason particulardays,basedontheirnumberplates.Thisappliesequallytopermanent,temporaryand foreignplates,andisstrictlyenforced.

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SriLanka
Thehostofthe2012CricketChampionshipsisexpecting4milliontouristsin2012,drawnnotonlybythe cricketbutbythestunningbeaches,interestingcultureanddeliciousfood.Theislandisidealforadventure holidayswithmanytouroperatorsofferingwhaleanddolphinwatchingpackages.Inland,travellerscan discoverbeautifulwaterfallsandteaplantationsoftenshroudedinanenigmaticearlymorningmist.With beautifulscenery,greatweather,magnificentbeachesandawarmwelcomefromtheSriLankanpeople, thereisnodoubtthatanyonetravellingtowatchthetwoTestseriesinMarchandApril2012willwantto makethemostoftheirstay. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice AlthoughthemilitaryconflictinSriLankainvolvingtheLTTE(theTamilTigers)endedinMay 2009,thereisacontinuedmilitarypresenceinpartsofthecountry.Someareaswereheavily mined,sooperationscontinuetoclearminefields.Therearesignsprovidingwarningsofmined areasbutyoushouldexercisecaution. Youcanbefinedifyouignoreinstructionsnottosmokeordrinkincertainpublicareas. Anewonlinevisaapplicationprocess,theElectronicTravelAuthority(ETA),willbecomefully operationalfrom1January2012.FurtherdetailscanbeobtainedfromtheETAofficialwebsite oftheDepartmentofImmigrationandEmigration.

TheUSA
TheUSAisalwaysapopulardestinationfortheBrits,beingthethirdmostvisiteddestinationbyUKresidents in2010(ONS)andvotedoneofthetopUKdestinationsforfamiliesin2011(ABTAConsumerSurvey2011). In2012,theUSwillbefirmlyonthepoliticalmapintherunuptotheNovemberUSPresidentialelections. NewYorkremainsapopularcityforshoppingbreaksforUKtouristsandwontdisappointin2012.Florida willcontinuetoattracttouristswithitsyearroundwarmweatherandgreatfamilyattractions.Anew LegolandWaterParkwillopeninspring2012andUniversalStudioswillgo3DwiththereanimatedAmazing AdventuresofSpiderManrideandDespicableMe. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice TheUSVisaWaiverProgramme(VWP)allowsmostBritishtravellerstovisitforupto90days withoutavisa.Todoso,visitorsneedtoprovidedetailsonlineatleast72hourspriortotravel throughtheElectronicSystemforTravelAuthorisationorESTA,atacostofUS$14. Lawsvaryfromstatetostate,includingspeedlimitsandtheageofconsent.Sodoestheageat whichyoumaylegallybuyandconsumealcohol,butthisisusually21years. ThehurricaneseasonnormallyrunsfromJunetoNovemberandcanaffectthewholeofthe southernUSA.YoucanmonitortheprogressofstormsontheUSNationalHurricane Centrewebsite.

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Midhaul
CapeVerde
ThetentinyislandsofCapeVerdearesettoofferapopularallyearroundsunoptionin2012withnewflight routesforthesummeropeningupfromGatwickandManchester.AblendofAfrican,Brazilianand Portuguesecultures,CapeVerdehasbeendubbedtheAfricanCaribbean.Wellservedbytouroperatorsand onlysixhoursflightfromtheUK,theislandsofferalaidbackandrelaxingvibe. OneofthemostpopularisSal,whichisknownforitsstrikinglunarlikelandscape.Itsalsodottedwith rainbowcolouredtowns,likeSantaMaria,whosecobbledstreetshugtheislandssouthernshores.BoaVista isfamedforits55kmofpristinebeacheswiththebeachofPraiaChavestandingoutthankstoitssnow whitesandsandshapeshiftingdunes.Alsoatcertaintimesoftheyearitsagoodbaseforturtleandwhale watching.SaoVicenteisknownastheculturalcapitaloftheislandsandtheplacetogotocatchthemost authenticmusicandnightlife. CapeVerdecuisineisadeliciousmixtureofAfricanandPortugueseinfluenceswithaheavyemphasison freshingredientsparticularlyfishandotherseaproduce,whicharefoundinabundanceinthewatersaround theislands.CapeVerdeoffersanexoticandinterestingalternativeforthoselookingforsomethingalittle outoftheordinary. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice TherainyseasoninCapeVerderunsfromAugusttoOctober.Hurricanescandevelopinthis time.Torrentialrainscancausefloodsandlandslides.Youshouldmonitorlocalweatherreports andexpectdifficultieswhentravellingtoaffectedareasduringthisseason. CrimeratesinCapeVerdearelowbuttherehavebeenincidentsofmuggingsinvolvingBritish nationals.Youshouldavoidcarryingvaluablesinpublicandremainvigilantatalltimes.The localequivalenttothe999emergencylineinCapeVerdeis:132(police)and131(fire). TheCapeVerdeEscudoistiedtotheEuroatCVEsc110.265=1Euro.Bankswillexchangehard currencies.Mainhotelsandrestaurantswillacceptthemajorcreditcards.

Egypt
WhilecontinuingpoliticalunrestmayaffectEgyptscapitalCairointherunuptothespringpresidential elections,thetouristdestinationsontheRedSeaRivieraarealongdistanceawayandremainsafefor holidaymakers.Thebudgetconsciouscanexpecttoseesomeexcellentdealsonhighqualityresorts, includingallinclusiveholidays.TheresortsofSharmElSheikhandHurghadaareidealforfamiliesasthey arepackedwithgreatactivities,includingdivingschoolsandsnorkelling,andhaveshallowwaterforyoung children.ThosewantingtoseesomeofEgyptsancientcultureshouldvisit,ortakeacruise,toLuxoronthe banksoftheNilewherecantheyvisitthefamousAncientValleyoftheKings,includingTutankhamens tomb. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice EgyptisapopulardestinationforBritishtourists;1,455,906Britishnationalsvisitedin2010 (Source:EgyptianMinistryofTourism).Mostvisitsaretroublefree. YoushouldcarrysomeformofphotographicIDatalltimes.Acopyofyourpassportissufficient. TheEgyptianChamberofDivingandWaterSports(CDWS)websiteprovidesregularupdateson divingconditionsinSharmelSheikh. In2010,BritishconsularstaffinEgypthandled25casesofsexualassaultandthreecasesofrape. Someassaultswereagainstminors.Manyoccurredinwhatwereconsideredtobesafe 13 environmentse.g.hotelpremises.

Greece
2012lookssettobeanothertoughyearforGreeceandthecountryislikelytoencouragetourismtohelpits economicrecovery.Pricesforfoodandaccommodationlookliketheymaybecheaperthanin2011and thereshouldbelotsofgoodvaluepackagesonoffer.TheislandofCreteisoneofGreecesstarattractions, offeringsomethingforeveryonewithgorgeousbeachesandmountains,livelynightlifeandfascinating architecturalheritage.Forthosewantingtoexplore,islandhoppingremainsapopularoptionandthereare nowlotsofdifferenttypesofGreekislandcruisestosuiteverytasteandbudget. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice Calling999fromaUKmobileinGreecewillautomaticallytransferyoutotheGreekemergency services. TheplantKhatisanillegalnarcoticinGreece.Youwillbearrestedanddetainedwiththe possibilityofaprisonsentenceifyouarecaughttryingtotakeKhatintoGreece. Whenhiringacar,moped,quadbike,boat,jetskiorothervehicle,checkthatitisroadorsea worthyandthatyouhaveappropriateinsurancecoverandsafetyequipment.Greeklaw requiresyoutowearacrashhelmetonascooter,mopedormotorcycle.Quadbikeriders requireafullfacehelmet(ornonfullfacehelmetplusgoggles).Youmaybearrestedifyoudo notcomply.Failuretowearacrashhelmetmightalsoinvalidateyourinsuranceifyouare involvedinanaccident.Ifyouintendtohireamopedyourequireavaliddrivinglicencewithat leastcategoryA1'lightmotorcycle.CategoryPwhichisvalidintheUKfordrivingmopedsup to50cc,isnotvalidinGreece.

Jordan

TheJordanTourismboardislaunchingamajorcampaignnextyear,doublingitsUKadvertisingspendinthe hopetoattractmorevisitors.JordanstourismrockstarisPetra,the8,000yearoldNabateancitylistedas oneofthenewSevenWondersoftheAncientWorld,and2012marksthe200thanniversaryofthe rediscoveryofthemagicallostcity;therewillbelotsofspecialeventsforvisitorstocommemoratethe occasion.PriceshavehistoricallybeenhighinJordanbuthavecomedownrecentlythankstothearrivalof budgetcarriers,whileoperatorshaveaddedmorevalueaccommodationoptions.AsidefromPetratourists canenjoysightssuchasWadiRum,thedesertfeaturedinLawrenceofArabia,andtheancientcitiesof JerashandMadaba,aswellasenjoyingthefriendlyandwelcominghospitality.Itshistoryandtourist infrastructuremakeitoneofthemostaccessibleArabstatesforEnglishspeakingtravellers. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice YouneedanentryvisatoJordan.Youcanobtainsingleentryvisas,validforonemonth,on arrivalatanyportofentry,exceptfortheKingHusseinBridgeattheJordan/Israelborder.A singleentryvisacosts20JordanianDinars. Thetemperatureinsummermonthscanreachover40degreesCelsius.Visitorsshouldusehigh factorsunblock,anddrinkplentyofwatertoavoiddehydration. YoumustundergoanHIVtestifyouintendtostayinJordanformorethan30days,eitherasa residentorasalongtermvisitor.Thefeetoobtainthehealthcertificateiscurrently20 JordanianDinars.

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Turkey
Inthelast15yearsTurkeyhasgonefromanexoticbutrarelyvisiteddestination,toafirmfavouriteforUK holidaymakers.Overthelastfiveyears,thecountryhasseena50%increaseinforeignvisitors.Asa destinationTurkeyhasitallwithitsstunningbeaches,beautifulandvariedcountryside,warmand welcomingpeopleandoneoftheworldsgreatcities.In2012,Istanbulissettocontinueitsmarchtojoin Rome,ParisandLondonasoneofthemustseeEuropeancapitalcities. ThemainbeachresortsforBritsremainBodrum,MarmarisandAntalya,buttherearemanymorebeach optionsavailable,fromthesophisticatedresortofAlacatinearIzmir,tothelargelyundevelopedcoastnear Iskenderuminthefareastofthecountry.ForgolffansBelekinAntalyaoffers17stateoftheartcoursesand willhosttheABTATravelConventioninOctober.Turkeyisalsohometosomeofthebestpreservedclassical ruinsintheMediterraneanwiththesitesofPergamon,Troyand,mostspectacularofall,thecityofEphesus nearKusadasi,whichmakesPompeiilooklikeasmallvillage.InlandtheareaofCappadociadottedwith otherworldlyrockformationsisamustseesightasyoudriftatsunriseunderahotairballoonhaving checkedoutofyouruniquehotelhollowedintoacave. Fromacurrencyperspective,Turkeylookssettodowellinthefirsthalfof2012,aslongasthepound LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice continuestoperformasitdidinlate2011. Generallycrimeislow,butstreetrobberyandpickpocketingarecommoninthemajortourist areasofIstanbul.Youshouldbewaryofapproachesfromstrangersofferingtochangemoney, offeringfoodanddrinkorofferingtotakeyoutoarestaurantornightclub. In201040casesofsexualassaults,includingrape,werereportedtoourConsularstaffin Turkey.Themajorityofthesecasesoccurredduringthesummerholidayperiodincoastal touristareasinSouthWesternTurkey.Mostoccurredlateatnightandmostassaultswere committedbysomeonethatthevictimhadmetduringtheevening. Turkeyhasstrictlawsagainsttheuse,possessionortraffickingofillegaldrugs.Ifyouare convictedofanyoftheseoffences,youcanexpecttoreceiveaheavyfineoraprisonsentence offourto24years. Beawarethatalcoholanddrugscanleadtoyoubeinglessalert,lessincontrolandlessaware ofyourenvironment.Ifyouaregoingtodrink,knowyourlimit.Rememberthatdrinksservedin barsoverseasareoftenstrongerthanthoseintheUK.Inallcircumstances,youshouldbuyyour owndrinksandkeepsightofthematalltimestomakesuretheyarenotspiked.

15

Shorthaul
IcelandandAuroraBorealis
2012issettobeanexplosiveyearfortheAuroraBorealis,asbetweennowandwinter2013,Earth willbearwitnesstoasolarmaxim.Thispeakinthesuns11yearcycleproducessurgesofelectrically chargedsubatomicparticlesfuellingspectaculardisplaysfromAuroraBorealis,andIcelandisoneofthebest locationstowitnesstheshow.Manytouroperatorsareofferingcombinedwhalewatching,dogsledding andvolcanotourstoboostinterestfurther.Itisalsocheaperthanithasbeeninpreviousyearstovisit Icelandduetothecurrentexchangerates. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice Manyhighlandtracksonlyopenforashortpartofthesummer.Ifyouintendtodrivetothe highland,orremoterregionsofthecountry,youshouldalwayscheckfirstwiththeIcelandic RoadAdministration(Vegagerdin)beforedeparture WhalemeatisavailableinIcelandbuttouristsshouldbeawarethatitsimportationintothe UK/EUisillegalundertheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies.Any importationofwhalemeattotheUKwillresultinseizureofthegoods,possiblyafineofupto 5,000andacustodialsentence. Smokinginrestaurants,bars,publictransportandpublicbuildingsisprohibited.Anyonecaught smokingwillinitiallybeaskedtoleavethepremises.Failuretodosowillresultinarrestanda fine.

Poland/Ukraine
Asjointhostsofthe2012EuropeanChampionshipthousandsoffootballfanswillbegettingtheirfirsttaste ofthesebeautifulandvariedcountries. EnglandhaswiselychosenthebeautifulcityofKracowasitsbase.Centredaroundanidyllicmainsquareand WawelCathedral,theWestminsterAbbeyofPoland,Kracowisalsoashorttrainridefromthesaltmineof Wieliczkawithgalleries,chapelsandsculpturescarvedfromsaltandtheintenselymovingwarningfrom historycontainedinanexhibitatAuschwitz.ThoseofyouwhocouldntgetintotheLeonardoDaVinci exhibitioninLondonin2011canseethepostergirlGirlwithanErminebackinherKrakowhome.Polandis alsohometosomeofthemostunspoiltnatureandcountrysideinEurope.Threeareasstandout,the lakelandareaofMasuria,PolandsanswertoCumbria,theTatramountainswhereyes,youcangoskiingand theuntouchedBialowiezaforestwhichprovidesatasteofwhatmainlandEuropewouldhavebeenlikefor ourmedievalancestors.DueinparttothelargePolishcommunityintheUK,wearewellservedwithair routestoPoland. TheUkraineissettohittheUKtourismradarwhenithostsEnglandsopeninggameintheEuropean Championship.TheUkraineisalreadytheeighthmostpopulartourismdestinationinEuropewith21m visitorsin2010.Itisanenormouscountrywithhistoriccities,castlesandbeautifulnaturereserves.Kiev,the capital,isunderthreehoursflyingfromtheUKandcontainstwoUNESCOworldheritagesites:theStSophia CathedralandPecherskLaraMonasteryaswellastheaweinspiring203fttallWW2statueMother Motherlandmadefromshiningtitanium.Alotofmoneyhasbeenspentinrecentyearssprucingupthe centreoftownandvisitorswillfindawiderangeofgoodqualityhotelsaswellasverylivelynightlifeand bars.OdessaontheBlackSeacoastwasonceafavouriteoftheRussianaristocracyandboastsbeautiful ItalianandFrenchstylebuildingsaswellaslongsandybeaches,andforfilmbuffs,thePotemkinsteps immortalisedbydirectorSergeiEisenstein.TheUkraineisameccaforthemoreactivewithitsnationalparks 16

 providingawealthofchoiceforskiing,climbing,hikingandcycling.Donetsk,whichhostsanotherof Englandsmatches,isakeyindustrialcitybasedaroundsteelproductionasitstwinningwithSheffield shows,butfanswithtimetospendbeforeorafterthematchshouldheadforthe2.5kmleafyPushkin Boulevardwhichislinedwithcafesandbars. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice TheUEFAEuro2012ChampionshipswillbeheldinPolandandUkraineinJune2012.Ifyouplan toattend,organiseyourtravelandaccommodationwellinadvance.Distancesbetweenvenue citiesaresignificant. Polishpolicetakeastrictapproachtopublicdrunkennessandiffoundtobedrunkinapublic placeyoumaybetakentoadryingoutclinicwhereadoctorornursewillmedicallyassessyou. Youwillnotbereleaseduntilyouhavesoberedupandthismaynecessitateanovernightstay. Youwillberequiredtopayforthecostofthestay. YoushouldcarryyourpassportatalltimesinUkraineforIDpurposes.Policeoftencarryout passportchecksonforeignnationals,particularlyintheKhreschatik(central)areaofKyiv.

Serbia
SerbiaissettotakeitsplaceontheUKtouristmapin2012.ThecapitalBelgrademakesanidealcitybreak andisfamousforitswelcomingatmosphereandexcitingnightlife.TheriverSavawhichflowsthroughthe city,islinedwithbargeswhichdoubleupasbarsandcafesandinthesummertheactionmovestotheisland ofAdaCilganlijawhichhasover7kmofbeachesandsportsfacilities.ForcultureloversBelgradehasmany museumsandarchitecturalgemsincludingthechurchofSaintSavaandtheWhitePalaceMuseum. SerbiassecondcityNoviSadhasbeendevelopingareputationinrecentyearsastheplacetogotocatch someoftheworldsbestbandsatafractionofthepriceyouwouldpayintheUK.TheEXITfestivaltakes placefrom1215July2012andhasinrecentyearsattractedactsofthecalibreofArcadeFire,Pulp,Fatboy SlimandPortishead.Thisyearslineuphasyettobeconfirmedbutsavvyhipstersareadvisedtobookearly toavoiddisappointment. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice OnenteringSerbia,makesureyougetanentrystampinyourpassportfromtheborderpolice. Temporaryresidents(inthecountryformorethan90days)shouldhaveexitentryvisasaswell asresidencestampsintheirpassports. Youwillberequiredtodeclaremoney(includingtravellerscheques)inexcessof10,000(or equivalentinothercurrencies)thatyoubringintoSerbia. RabiesiscommoninSerbia,largelyinparksandtheoutskirtsofmajorcities,includinginareas thathavepreviouslybeenrabiesfreefordecades.

Spain
2011wasanexcellentyearforSpainwithvisitornumbersfromtheUKrisingby10%,cementingitsposition asthemostpopularoverseasdestinationforUKholidaymakers.Votedthemostfamilyfriendlycountryin the2011ABTAConsumerTrendssurvey,2012shouldseeitcontinuetomakeupsomeofthedownturnin visitornumberscausedbysterlingsfallin2009.ThemajorityofUKvisitorsin2012willheadofftothe BalearicandCanaryIslandsandthevariousCostasforbeachholidays.Barcelonaremainsnumberonefor 17

 citybreaksbutMadrid,GrenadaandSevillearegrowingsubstantiallyinpopularity.In2012Spainis concentratingitseffortsinpublicisingsomeofthelesswellknownpartsofthepeninsula.TheBasqueand GalicianregionsofNorthernSpainarefamousthroughoutthecountryfortheexceptionalqualityoftheir foodwiththecoastalresortofSanSebastianleadingtheway.ThesetwoareasandAsturiasareknownas greenSpain,withbeautifulheavilywoodedhillsandmountainsandruggeddramaticcoastlinesreminiscent ofCornwall.Furthersouth,themedievaltownsofToledo,SalamancaandAvilaarealleasilyaccessiblefrom theUK.SpainsclimateseesgoodweatherfromApriloftenuntilearlyNovember,witheveninwinter,sunny, relativelywarmweatherbeingcommoninthesouthandontheislandsmakingaholidayvisitagoodbet outsideofthemainsummermonths. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice Insomecitycentresandresorts,thievesposingaspoliceofficersonfootpatrolmayapproach touristsandasktoseetheirwalletsforidentificationpurposes.Ifthishappenstoyou,becareful. Firstestablishthattheofficersaregenuine.IfthepolicerequestID,eithershowthemyour passport,driverslicenceorotherphotographicidentification.Genuinepoliceofficersdonot requesttoseewalletsorpurses. Ifanaccidentoccurswhilstmountaineering,canyoning,potholingorclimbing,orifyoubecome lostinthemountainsorotherareasrequiringmountainrescue,call112fortheemergency servicesor062fortheCivilGuard. InBarcelonaitisagainstthelawtobeinthestreetwearingonlyabikiniorswimming shorts/trunks.Beingbarechestedorgoingfullynudehasalsobeenbanned.Theonlyexception tothislawiswhenyouareonthebeach,theseafrontpromenadeortheadjacentstreets.Failure torespectthislawmayresultinafine.

Tunisia
Aftertheuprisingsearlierthisyear,stabilityhasreturnedtoTunisiaanditiswellplacedtoattractattention in2012.Offeringyearroundsunshine,longstretchesofsandybeachesanda3,000yearculturalheritage, Tunisiacontinuestooffergoodvalueholidayswithgreatexcursionsandhistoricsitestoexplore.While touristarrivalsfellby35%in2011,officialsarepredictingareturntotherecordbreakingnumbersofBritish visitorsseenin2010,whenTunisiawelcomed353,282Britishvisitors.TUIandThomasCookhaveboth increasedtheirTunisiancapacityfor2012inanticipationofthis. LawsandcustomsDidyouknowfactsandFCOAdvice InthecoastalholidayresortsthedresscodeisverymuchlikeanyEuropeancityortouristarea.If visitingthemaincities,religioussitesormoreremoteareasofTunisia,dressmoremodestlyand avoidanyarticlesofclothingwhichmaycauseoffence.Toplesssunbathingonbeachesmay causeoffence. Inthecaseofprescriptionmedication,werecommendthatyoucarryanotefromyourGP confirmingthatthemedicationhasbeenprescribedforanexistingcondition. ItisnotpermittedtoremoveantiquitiesfromTunisiawithoutfirstobtainingpermissionfrom Customsauthorities.Failuretodosocouldresultinlengthydelaysondeparture,finesand/or imprisonment. 18

FCOGeneralAdvice
TheFCOhasasimplemessagefortravellers:inordertohaveagreattimewhileyoureaway,youjustneed tomakethenecessarypreparationsbeforeyougo. BeforeBritonstravelabroad,theFCOadvisessomekeypreparationsteps: Doalittleresearchonyourdestination.Thisiskeytohelpingyougetthemostoutofyourtripand avoidunnecessarytrouble.Getagoodguidebook,andmakesureyouknowaboutthelocallaws andcustoms.CheckouttheFCOtraveladviceonwww.fco.gov.uk/travelforthelatestinformation, includingcountryspecifictraveladviceandtoptipsforsafetravel.Youcansignupforupdateson thegoonwww.facebook.com/fcotravelortwitter.com/fcotravel. TheFCOisencouragedtoseeanincreaseintakeupofannualtravelinsurancebyBritonsheading offaroundtheworld.However,sometravellersarestillnottakingoutanyoradequateinsurance.It isreallyimportanttotakeoutcomprehensivetravelinsuranceandreadthesmallprintsoyouknow youarecoveredforeverythingyouwanttodoonholidayforexample,youmayneedtoextend yourcoverforcertainactivitiessuchasridingmopedsorjetskiing. IftravellingwithintheEuropeanEconomicArea(EEA)orSwitzerland,getafreeEuropeanHealth InsuranceCard(EHIC)togiveyoufreeorreducedcostemergencycare.Youstillneedfulltravel insurancethough!Alsoremember,youcancall112tocontacttheemergencyservicesinanyEU country. Takeenoughmoneywithyou,andmakesureyouhaveaccesstoemergencyfunds.Dontkeepall yourmoneyinthesameplace. Checkoutthemedicalrequirementsforyourdestinationwellinadvance.Ifyoutakeprescription medication,makesureitislegalwhereyouaregoing,andpackenoughforyourwholetripplusa fewdaysincaseyouaredelayedreturninghome. Checkyourpassportisvalidforyourfulltrip(somecountriesrequire6monthsvalidityfromtheend ofyourvisit),andhasnextofkindetailsfilledin.Youcanrenewituptoninemonthsbeforeit expires,andtheremainingtimewillbeaddedtothenewone.Besureyouhaveallnecessaryvisas. Makecopiesofimportanttraveldocuments,andkeepthemseparatelyfromtheoriginalseitheron paperoronlineonasecuredatastoragesite. TellsomeoneintheUKwhereyouaregoing,andleaveemergencycontactdetailswiththem. Makesureyourmobilephonewillworkabroadandthatyoupackthecharger. Ifyouplantodrive,familiariseyourselfwithlocaldrivinglawsandmakesureyourlicenceis currentandvalidwhereyouaregoing. FindoutwhereyournearestBritishEmbassyorConsulatewillbeandtaketheirnumbers.

WhatFCOcanandcannotdotohelpBritishnationalsabroad
FCOspriorityisprotectingthewelfareofBritishnationalsabroadandtheywilldotheirbesttoassistpeople whentheysufferseriousproblemsabroad. TheFCOcan: TheFCOcant: Issueyouwithanemergencytraveldocument Helpyouenteracountrywithoutavalidpassport Giveyoualistoflocallawyers,interpreters, Giveyoulegaladvice doctorsorfuneraldirectors Searchformissingpeople Contactfriendsandfamilybackhomeforyou Getyoubettertreatmentinhospitalorprisonthanis Provideinformationabouttransferringfunds giventolocalpeople Visityouinhospitalorifyouhavebeenarrested Payanybillsorgiveyoumoney Maketravelarrangementsforyou 19