The
Foreign and Commonwealth Office has identified five potential “hot spots” for
next year’s peak summer period.
The FCO asked the trade for the destinations where demand is
expected to increase significantly over the next few years.
Ibiza, Ayia Napa, Malia in Crete, Kavos and Bodrum in Turkey
have been singled out as the key destinations the FCO must focus its resources
on.
The move, aimed at stopping in-resort problems, comes after
police took a heavy-handed approach with holidaymakers in Faliraki following
unacceptable behaviour from British tourists.
The FCO is drawing up contingency plans and asking agents to
educate customers about the culture of a destination in a bid to prevent
similar problems next summer.
One possibility could be the deployment of extra FCO staff
in the highlighted destinations. Last summer up to four extra staff went to
Faliraki.
FCO director of consular services Paul Sizeland said he is
relying on the trade to help spot potential problems.
“There may be other destinations,” he said. “We want the
industry to say when growth occurs in particular areas. If we can anticipate
problems, then we can make sure resorts are fully resourced.”
He said the move will also deal with minor incidents
including lost money or passports.
Sizeland has defended the FCO’s controversial decision not
to lift travel warnings to Bali following the terrorist attack last year.
“We have had information about other terrorist attacks since
the bomb in Bali. The safety of the British travelling public is paramount.”