British tourists frequently run into trouble abroad

The Foreign Office has released figures outlining the number of British tourists that have sought consular help abroad between April 2009 and April 2010. Many of the problems that British tourists face are preventable. By allowing more time to prepare for a holiday, travellers can minimise the risk of facing problems abroad.

Spain came out on top as the travel destination with the highest number of reported incidents, largely due to its popularity with British tourists. Proportionately, British tourists on holiday in Thailand needed the most assistance.

A staggering 1 in 5 British tourists fail to buy travel insurance before they go on holiday. Travel insurance should be an essential part of any holiday budget, and it often doesn't cost more than a few pounds per person. Some Brits don't buy travel insurance to keep their holiday price, but they still spend ridiculous amounts of money on snacks or magazines at the airport.

The report revealed that a lost or stolen passport was the biggest issue faced by British tourists. Over 27,000 passports were reported as lost or stolen worldwide. Meanwhile, 3,689 were admitted to hospital, and if any of them didn't have travel insurance, they may have been hit with large hospital bills.

Over 6,000 British tourists were arrested or imprisoned last year. Though it's harder to avoid getting your passport stolen and almost impossible to prevent illness, getting arrested is one of the more preventable problems. By researching your destination thoroughly before you travel, you can avoid getting arrested in countries where laws and customs differ to those in the UK. And stay away from drugs - some foreign prisons can be truly grim places.

Consular help is there if you need it abroad, but it's important to remember that they can't get you out of prison if you are arrested. The Foreign Office is appealing to British tourists to make sure they prepare for their holiday abroad to avoid the need to seek assistance.

Research your destination thoroughly, keep your passport in a safe place and avoid illness by eating and drinking sensibly and keeping out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day. Buy travel insurance to cover the cost of lost or stolen possessions or medical treatment that you might need to receive if you fall ill abroad. Insurewithease.com has a range of affordable travel insurance policies available that won't break the bank.

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