Clare Heaton: Concerns

Holiday horrors

Over the past 15 years, the annual number of overseas trips from the UK has more than doubled, from 25 to 57 million. Affordable package holidays sold on the promise of sun, sea, sangria and sex – or some combination of the above – clearly have their attractions. But there are increasing concerns about how many holidays are ending in disaster. So the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has launched a new campaign called 'Know Before You Go' to help you avoid some of the risks.

Stupid

In an FCO survey, a third of people aged 16-30 confessed to doing 'stupid things' while on holiday abroad, and some 35% said holidays are all about 'partying hard' and 'doing things to excess'. Of these, 71% said that they drank excessively, 44% that they consumed at least three times as much alcohol as they would at home, 28% that they had swum while drunk, and 8% that they had taken drugs. Twenty-seven per cent had had casual sex and 6% unprotected sex. Only 16% had packed condoms.

Twenty-eight per cent of those in the survey had not taken out travel insurance, 76% had not checked with their GP before travelling, and only 44% had taken an E111 form, which entitles UK citizens to free or reduced-cost medical care in many European countries. (You can get an E111 at any post office or travel agent.)

In addition, 85% said they did not make a note of their credit card numbers, and only 17% took a copy of their passport.

'British travellers are putting themselves at risk – particularly young travellers,' says FCO minister Baroness Amos. 'Many of the holiday horrors can be avoided by taking some simple precautions – taking out adequate travel insurance or checking out the local laws and customs beforehand. Travelling can be a great experience and holidays are a time to have fun and relax. However, preparation is needed before any overseas trip.'

Top tips

So be prepared! Here are some tips:

• Check out the FCO travel advice at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or on 020 7008 0232/0233. This includes information to help you avoid offending people or breaking local laws at your destination.

• Get insurance and make sure it covers you for medical costs as well as any dangerous sports or activities you're planning to be involved in.

• Check whether you need a visa (again, this information is available at the FCO site), and if you plan to work outside the EU, obtain a valid work permit before you go.

• Check out what jabs and health care you need with your GP, or at the Department of Health website (www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice), at least six weeks before you set off. If you think you might have sex, pack condoms before you go – and make sure you use them!

• Make copies of important documents: tickets, passport, insurance policy (plus 24-hour emergency number), itinerary and contact details. Take copies of all these with you, and leave one set with people at home. Keep in touch with family and friends, and if you change your itinerary, let them know.

• Take enough money. British consular staff can't send you home for free if you run out, so ensure you have a return ticket or enough money to buy one.

• Be aware of drugs laws. The penalties for drug offences vary around the world – in some countries they even include the death sentence – and being a British citizen won't protect you.

• Be careful with alcohol. Know your limit. Accidents are more likely after using alcohol or drugs and you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

• Be vigilantand keep away from situations in which you do not feel comfortable. Drugs are sometimes used in rape so keep an eye on drinks at all times.

• Lock valuables away. The beach and crowded streets are favourite places to steal belongings.

Claire Southern, a representative for Rough Guides, adds a few streetwise tips. 'Have a decoy wallet to hand over if you're mugged,' she suggests. 'Keep a few dollars [or whatever the currency is] in it, plus out-of-date credit cards, random photos and business cards. And remember, in many countries, locals know the allure of drugs for young travellers and the police are often in the shadows waiting to "shop" you should you indulge.'

It's also well worth investing in an appropriate guide book for your trip. If you're backpacking, set up an e-mail address to stay in touch and/or take a textphone.

Deaf abroad

So are there special considerations for deaf travellers? Clare Heaton, 23, who is deaf and planning her first trip this summer, has some concerns. 'We could miss out on vital information, such as weather news. Also, I'm a little worried about communication, with the variation in accents.' Claire Southern suggests it might help to reconfirm all arrangements before you leave home and let airlines and hotels know in advance that you are deaf.

But experienced deaf traveller Jono Raperport, 28, thinks it's just a question of common sense and confidence. 'There's no support whatsoever specifically aimed at deaf travellers, but it doesn't bother me,' he says. 'I think you have to learn to face the real tough world, just like hearing people. We don't need extra help at all. If I did get lost or anything happened, then I'd be able to use gesture to communicate with local people and get directions to the information centre. There is no difference between hearing and deaf travellers bar the communication. It is up to you to be confident and just get on with it. Just take the appropriate precautions.'

But Clare Heaton would like to see more advice specifically aimed at deaf people. 'Our experiences travelling are so different from a hearing person's,' she says. 'There should be a website for deaf travellers, or Rough Guides, and the Foreign Office should offer information. There should be a BSL video, or special presentations so deaf people can access information.'

In the meantime, Jono says, the most important thing is to stay positive. 'Try and meet lots of other deafies, as they will let you stay at their place and tell you stories about their history and culture, and you can make new friends,' he advises. 'You will then become more confident and knowledgeable.

'There are three key words every deaf traveller should remember – positive, challenge and adventure.'

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Find out more

Links

Access-able Travel Source
www.access-able.com
Includes some information aimed at deaf travellers.

Deaf Connection
www.deafconnection.org
An US-based charity which offers the opportunity to help deaf children in developing countries. Volunteers work with local community members to improve existing educational facilities and opportunities for deaf youth.

Deaf Cultures and Sign Languages of the World
www.rit.edu/~dabdis/indj/dcoew.html
Extensive resource of deaf websites and organisations around the world.

FCO – Know Before You Go
www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo
Information on more than 200 destinations and a wide range of general travel advice.

Jonathan Palmer – World Travelling
www.bexleydeafclub.org.uk/news/
Jon%20Palmer.htm
The diary of deaf traveller Jonathan Palmer, who left the UK in September 2001 to explore the world.

Let's Go Travelling
letsgotravelling.net
A website created by a deaf traveller, covering the places he visited. Includes specific information for the deaf.

Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com
Well-informed youth-oriented information for prospective travellers.

Rough Guides
www.travel.roughguides.com
Comprehensive advice and information for travellers both on and off the beaten track.

Book

Nothing Ventured: Disabled people travel the world: A Rough Guide Special edited by Alison Walsh (Rough Guides Specials, 1992)
A collection of over 100 tales by disabled travellers, describing their adventures, their setbacks and ultimately – more often than not – their triumphs. Includes a deaf man's account of his safari in Zimbabwe.
Buy this book from Amazon.

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third-party sites.

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