LV= reports holiday thrill seekers snub government advice and
put themselves at risk
Released
on: August 20, 2008, 3:18 am
Press
Release Author: Emma Holyer
Industry:
Financial
Press
Release Summary: LV= reveals more and more Brits are chasing the
ultimate holiday thrill by heading to risky destinations, despite
Government advice warning against visiting
Press
Release Body: New research by travel insurer LV= has
revealed that more and more Brits are chasing the ultimate holiday
thrill by heading to risky destinations, despite Government advice
warning against visiting.
The
latest research from LV
has found that since 2003, Brits have taken nearly five
million holidays to destinations highlighted on the FCO’s
‘don’t go list’, with a further 8% of Brits
planning a trip in the next 12 months.
The
LV= report has found that many of these travellers
were unaware of the dangers they could potentially face, leading
to increased numbers of UK tourists becoming victims of theft,
robbery and intimidation.
Current
destinations considered unsafe for UK visitors include much of
Africa, plus parts of the Russian Federation, India, and even
certain areas in countries like Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The government currently warns against visiting areas in over
30 countries and the list is regularly updated. Only half of the
people travel
insurer LV= interviewed said they were aware
of the FCO advice.
The
research also revealed a worrying disregard for the Government
warnings with nearly 50% of travellers stating that they would
pay no attention to the advice and would carry on with their plans
regardless.
Unfortunately
this attitude is proving naïve, as these trips are ending
up as perilous for many. 46% of the travellers heading to these
destinations fell victim to crime while they were away.
It
would seem that the desire for adventure or seclusion is the driving
factor behind travellers heading to these dangerous destinations,
many of whom (19%) claim they’re bored by predictable resorts.
18%
of travellers said they specifically set out to travel to an off
beat destination in an attempt to avoid other tourists, while
a further 17% say for them the ‘holiday fear factor’
is all part of the experience.
Emma
Holyer, Spokesperson for LV=, said: “As a nation
we are getting more adventurous when it comes to our holidays
and although it’s great to see new places, it’s also
very important that travellers understand the risks they face
if they are going to a potentially dangerous destination. Foreign
travel is so commonplace these days but we’d urge anyone
going on holiday this summer to pay attention to the Government
travel advice."
She
continued, “Aside from the obvious risks to safety,
the vast majority of travel
insurers will not provide cover for areas that the Government
warns against visiting, so travellers need to do their research
thoroughly before booking an unusual destination.”
It’s
not just the threat of violence that is leaving travellers at
risk. 18% of Brits are putting themselves in danger by visiting
tropical countries and not bothering to take the recommended medical
vaccinations.
Emma
Holyer, commented: "Although the LV=
travel
insurance policy will cover travellers if they fall ill with
one of these diseases if they didn’t get vaccinated, many
insurers will not, meaning policy holders will have no medical
cover and are at an increased risk of becoming seriously ill.”
The
findings also reveal that it’s not only intrepid travellers
to far off exotic destination who are failing to make themselves
aware of the risks when they go on holiday, as 13% of tourists
journeying to Spain were able to identify it as a high terrorist
risk, despite 10 million planning a visit in the next year.
-
ends -
Notes
to Editors:
The research was carried out on behalf of LV= by YouGov.
A nationally representative sample of 1,990 adults were questioned
online between 18th to 21st July 2008. Results are weighted to
be representative of the UK adult population.
About
LV=
LV= is a trademark of Liverpool Victoria
Friendly Society Limited (LVFS) and a trading style of
the Liverpool Victoria group of companies. The
new LV= brand identity was launched in March
2007.
Web
Site: http://www.lv.com/
Contact
Details: Emma Holyer
LV=
69 Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 1BG
Emma.holyer@lv.com
0208 256 6714
www.lv.com
2009
