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
Consumer awareness of the environmental impact of their holidays is expected to continue to rise in 2012. One in three holidaymakers now believes that holidays should have an environmental rating, such as that offeredbytheABTAdevelopedTravelifeSustainabilitySystem.ABTAestimatesthatthisrepresentsoverten million people taking foreign holidays. The figure has grown from 29% in 2010 to 33% in 2011, and is higher 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

 The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) will take place in June, where nations willcometogethertodiscusstheprogressmadeinthe20yearssincetheRioEarthSummitin1992andlook towards a common future direction. This is likely to further increase consumer awareness of sustainability 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.

10

 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.

11

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.

12

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 local equivalenttothe999emergencylineinCapeVerdeis:132(police)and131(fire). The Cape VerdeEscudoistiedtotheEuroatCVEsc110.265=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. You shouldcarrysomeformofphotographicIDatalltimes.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 Jordanian Dinars.

14

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. From aand currency perspective, Turkey looks set to dowell inthe Laws customs Didyou know facts and FCO Advice firsthalfof2012,aslongasthepound continues to perform as it did in late 2011. 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 bars overseasareoftenstrongerthanthoseintheUK.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. Polish policetakeastrictapproachtopublicdrunkennessandiffoundtobedrunkinapublic 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 equivalent inothercurrencies)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