Chris Bryant, Minister for Consular Services, met with representatives of the travel industry at the six monthly stakeholder panel. The Minister led a discussion on closer co-operation to reduce the number of consular cases caused by irresponsible behaviour.

He 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, cheap alcohol and adulterated drinks leads to accidents, hospital beds and jail cells.  

The FCO really appreciates the close working relationship and the co-operation we’ve built up with the travel industry over the years. They already do a great deal of work in helping us get out our safety messages to the public, especially through the Know Before You Go campaign, but we agree there is always more we can do together.

We will continue to work hard with the travel industry, national 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."

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of the ABTA and the Federation of Tour Operators 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.'

Consular Directorate hosts a six monthly meeting with travel industry stakeholders and NGOs to discuss important issues affecting British travellers abroad. This is part of an on-going dialogue with the industry to improve the support offered to travellers.

Notes for Editors

'Know Before You Go' is a wide-ranging travel safety campaign covering publications; web content; TV and radio fillers; PR; and Partnership marketing activity with over 300 commercial partners.

The campaign has six key messages.

• Get travel insurance
• Research the destination (check FCO travel advice)
• Understand local laws and customs
• Check medical requirements
• Record key information
• Understand what Consular Staff can and can’t do.

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