Public Servant Lifestyle

Research reveals 70% of young Brits go abroad for stag and hen trips, but 24% have problems - from losing their travel documents to getting arrested.

Research has revealed that 70% of young Brits now prefer to travel abroad for 'stag' and 'hen' parties, but nearly a quarter of these (24%) have their celebrations interrupted by holiday horrors - from losing all their travel documents to getting arrested.

The research found that the uninhibited – and often drunken – nature of hen and stag parties means that this is the most likely group to experience problems abroad. Of the 24% who ran into complications, half lost or had money, credit cards or tickets stolen, just over a third became ill or were injured and a quarter were even arrested!

But whilst this group is so likely to get into trouble, they appear to be the least likely to prepare properly for their trip. Whilst most are prepared for sun (65% pack sun cream), sex (38% make sure they have contraception) and looking good (73% buy new clothes) many don't take the most basic and vital precautions about the basics of the trip. For instance, only 31% take a copy of their passport and nearly half put themselves at risk by travelling without valid travel insurance.

Ill-Prepared

The research uncovered the reason why so many of us travel on stag and hen parties ill-prepared; 57% of partygoers rely on the organiser of the event to make all the travel arrangements and to research the destination, not knowing themselves about the local geography, laws and customs or where to turn if things go wrong.

Steve Jewitt-Fleet from the Consular Communications Team at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), said: "Thousands of stag and hen parties are held in European cities and resorts each year and most return having had a great time. However by their very nature, with guests out to 'let their hair down' they are at high risk of getting into problems. And because they don't know the area they're in, any issue can become much more serious than it would be at home. But many of these situations can be avoided if every individual in the group makes a few simple preparations before they travel."

FCO advice to those travelling abroad for stag and hen parties:

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