Foreign Office issues travel insurance warning to adventurous travellers

The Foreign Office has urged holidaymakers to take out comprehensive travel insurance following ABTA's (www.abta.com) predictions that more people will travel to politically volatile destinations next year.

Its latest Travel Trends report suggests that one time no-go areas, including Sri Lanka and war-torn Iraq, will attract a greater number of holidaymakers in 2010.

Other long-haul destinations including South Africa (host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup), Washington State (setting for the latest teen vampire movie Twighlight) and some of the other less well-known states of America (visited by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in his latest TV road-trip) will also be popular, according to ABTA.

Spokesperson Frances Tuke said: This year has been remarkably resilient for the travel industry and prospects are looking good for 2010, with the trend to more adventurous destinations continuing.""

But she warned people to take more care when visiting off the beaten track destinations than they would travelling to well-known holiday resorts.

""With many of these destinations being further afield and in countries with very different cultures, and laws, the Foreign Office is warning travellers to ensure they research their destination by visiting fco.gov.uk/travel and ensure adequate travel insurance and vaccines, she said.

Julian Braithwaite, director of consular services at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), responded by saying: The situation in some of these countries also changes regularly ? so ensure you check the FCO website before you go and take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Holidaymakers visiting certain destinations, including Iraq, may have to buy specialist travel insurance as standard travel insurance policies do not cover countries deemed unsafe to visit by the FCO. They should also check the small print of their travel insurance for exclusions.

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