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ABTA talks with FCO over irresponsible behaviour

ABTA met the minister for consular affairs Chris Bryant today to discuss closer co-operation to fight irresponsible behaviour in resort.

The minister said the Foreign Office (FCO) appreciates the trade has worked hard to get the safety message out to customers through the Know Before You Go campaign but there is more to be done.

Bryant said: “The vast majority of travellers have trouble-free holidays, but each year consular staff deal with hundreds of cases of British nationals getting into trouble, and each year, a new group of young people go abroad for the first time.

“In some areas they are encouraged to drink, and a combination of peer pressure and cheap alcohol leads to accidents, hospital beds and jail cells.

“We will continue to work with the travel industry, governments and travellers, and keep up an ongoing dialogue to make a concerted effort to reduce preventable consular cases in the future, and improve the reputation of British travellers abroad.’

ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators chief executive Mark Tanzer, said: “Our members take the safety and well being of our customers seriously, and we welcome the opportunity to build on the close partnership we already have with the FCO.

“We really appreciate the minister’s recent efforts in Greece, which we understand have led to the Greek authorities increasing the numbers of tests they carry out on alcohol quality in resort. We will monitor and evaluate any changes that are implemented with our members.”

The meeting was part of a regular programme of six-monthly meetings, and was attended by other representatives from the travel industry.

The Know Before You Go campaign has six key messages.

Buy travel insurance

Research the destination (check travel advice on the FCO website)

Understand local laws and customs

Check medical requirements

Record key information

Understand what consular staff can and can’t do.

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