3 Top Tips for Choosing a Safe Travel Destination

The summer of 2015 has been a testing one for both holidaymakers and the travel industry. We've watched the migrant situation unfold and spread across Europe, we’ve seen acts of terrorism and watched Greece battling a crippling economic slump.

We wanted to get a better idea about the way in which these events have impacted British travellers’ holiday plans and what people now deem to be safe destinations. In order to find out more, we spoke to 2000 people in the UK. This is what they told us...

Lack of clarity impacting Brits’ willingness to travel abroad

Events this summer have had a knock-on effect on Brits’ willingness to travel aboard. In fact, over half of those polled said recent acts of terrorism (54%) and the migrant situation (51%) had directly influenced how they feel about travelling overseas.

While in general the desire to travel shows no sign of abating, we are seeing a change in the considerations people make when selecting a holiday destination. Why? Because just over half (54%) admit they feel confused and overwhelmed about where is safe for them and their family to travel to.

Top tips to consider when selecting your holiday destination

If the above scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Nearly a third of respondents admitted they’re unaware which countries are on high travel alert for British tourists, according to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. What’s more, nearly a quarter (23%) said they do not conduct research on the safety of a country before committing to a holiday there.

If, like the majority of people in our survey, you’re in doubt about where is safe for you and your family to travel to, our top tips below are a good place to start when booking your next trip abroad:

• Visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Travel Advice website for the latest updates on the destination you are planning to visit. Avoid areas designated as unsuitable for anything other than essential travel, and ensure you are aware of any travel restrictions/travel advice

• Always book through accredited businesses and service providers that do the homework for you. At Travelzoo, our team spends time researching destinations to ensure you are only travelling to locations deemed “safe for travel” by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – and we only ever deal with ABTA and ATOL-protected providers

• Keep checking for updates and travel alerts for your chosen destination. While it might be safe for travel at the time of booking, things are constantly changing