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Unprepared 16-30s risk holiday horrors - Foreign Office.

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M2 PRESSWIRE-30 April 2003-UK Government: Unprepared 16-30s risk holiday horrors - Foreign Office(C)1994-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:04302003

With the summer holiday season around the corner, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) today launches a campaign aimed at younger travellers as new research shows many are unprepared and risk ending up in "holiday horror" situations.

Research carried out in February and March among 16-30 year olds highlights the importance of taking out adequate travel insurance and checking the FCO travel advice.

The survey showed that:

- 33% of 16-30s questioned said they cannot be bothered to plan their holiday.

- 28%, the equivalent of over 3 million young people*, did not take out travel insurance.

- 76% did not check with their GP before travelling.

These statistics translate into real-life tragedy and trauma: In 2001 1,356** British nationals died overseas, this figure includes swimming and balcony accidents. From April to June 2002, 3,306*** British nationals were detained overseas - 1,268**** of these were drug-related offences.

Baroness Amos, FCO Minister with responsibility for consular matters said: "British travellers are putting themselves at risk, particularly young travellers. Many of the holiday horrors can be avoided by taking some simple precautions. Taking out adequate travel insurance or checking out the local laws and customs beforehand. The Foreign Office website - fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo - offers guidance and could stop young Britons getting into difficulty overseas."

Baroness Amos added: "Travelling can be a...

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