Public Servant Lifestyle

Almost a third of Britons who go backpacking or travel abroad independently are likely to face a major problem while they're away, according to a new survey.

Result of a new survey show that younger travellers are twice as likely as the average to get into some sort of trouble. The findings are contained in a poll carried out by MORI for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Know Before You Go campaign. The campaign aims to encourage British travellers to take out insurance and be prepared before going abroad.

Richard Morris, deputy head of the Foreign Office's consular division, said: "The survey results highlight the fact that many holidays off the beaten track are spoiled because people don't do some basic preparation beforehand. Backpacking or going it alone is tremendously rewarding but it can end up being very expensive and worse if you don't have insurance and don't know what to do if things go wrong."

The survey also reveals that:

Three in ten adults in Britain have taken an independent holiday overseas in the past five years. Of these, 31% have suffered a major problem while away

One in five sometimes go on an independent holiday without taking out travel insurance. A small but significant group always (6%) or frequently (3%) travel without being insured

The most common problems experienced are falling ill or missing flights (9%) and being robbed or a victim of a personal crime (both 6%). Younger travellers were twice as likely to get ill (27%) get hurt (14%) or become caught up in a civil disturbance (13% against a 5% average)

Two out of five thought they could have done something to prevent a problem happening. This included finding out more about the country beforehand (20%) taking out travel insurance (9%) or more comprehensive insurance (5%) or having vaccinations or taking tablets (17%)

For more information visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Know Before You Go campaign website.

See also on Lifestyle: Backpacking Around The World - A cheap and effective alternative to the package holiday deal is going backpacking. You can use trains, trams, boats and good old Shank's pony for a truly different holiday experience.

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