Abta has issued a warning following the death of a Briton who died after falling from a hotel balcony in Benidorm during a stag party holiday.
Alan Clare, an amateur rugby player, tried to climb on to the balcony from an open window.
The Independent reports that the 34-year-old is thought to have been trying to reach his room on the fifth floor after returning to his hotel alone and finding himself locked out. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
Eight British holidaymakers have died from balcony falls in Spain in the past four years. Many of the accidents result from attempts to climb between balconies, or after jumping from balconies into hotel pools.
Nikki White, a spokeswoman for the Abta, said: “We are urging young holidaymakers to think about the potential risks of balconies.
“We see too many people permanently injured or worse because they’ve tried to climb over or dive off their hotel balcony.
“We want people to enjoy their holidays but would advise them to think about the ramifications of their behaviour abroad.
“Incidents such as these have devastating consequences for holidaymakers and for their families.
“By working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, tourist authorities and Abta Members in-resort, we hope to help holidaymakers stop and think about how they use their balconies to prevent more of these tragic and avoidable incidents.”
A British embassy spokesman said: “Consular staff in Spain have this year assisted in a number of cases of very serious injuries – including some fatal – caused by falls from balconies.
“Such incidents are often the result of people being under the influence of drink or drugs. “We strongly urge people to be aware of the risks and that balcony accidents do happen – with awful consequences.
“Your travel insurance may not cover the potentially very large costs that can result from a balcony fall while you’re under the influence of drink or drugs.”