At the moment, it seems like half the world is in upheaval; between rebellions and natural disasters, many people are watching their dream winter escape slip through their fingers. Our thoughts are always with the people at home affected by these horrible tragedies, but the fact remains that if you’d booked a holiday in Libya, Tunisia, or Egypt this year, you may well be faced with a cancelled holiday, plus some financial loss regardless. One of our destinations, Thailand, just this year also had a revolt, so this is an issue we’re well experienced with.
So what can you do to protect yourself in the event of this happening? There are a few precautions you can take to ensure your money is safe no matter what happens.
1. Research the country you’re booking in. While most countries are perfectly safe for tourists, especially in resorts and the like, it’s always worth a quick background check before booking. Use common sense; if the country has shown signs of unrest, it may be worth booking your holiday in another nearby location, or choosing the resort that is away from the epicentre of the struggle. This can maximise your possibilities of actually going on holiday.
2. Book with a reputable tour operator. If the worst does happen and your holiday has to be cancelled, this way you can ensure you’ll either be able to book again for a later date or get a full refund.
3. Similarly, keep in contact with the operator or agency that you’ve booked with. If you’re uncertain about your destination and you’ve booked with us, feel free to call for an update and we’ll let you know how your travel plans might be affected, if at all.
4. Purchase travel insurance. This is always a must because of the many things that can happen on a holiday. You need to know what your rights are and what you can get in each foreign country. You should at the very least ensure that your holiday money can be refunded in the case of emergencies. This is particularly important if you’ve booked yourself, because you’ll be missing protection through a traditional tour operator. If, say, you fall and break your leg, you may not be eligible for care in the country you’ve chosen for a holiday, leading to very expensive bills and a very painful return home.
Don’t let the latest turmoil across the world prevent you from travelling to the parts of the world you’ve always dreamed about. Take stock of your options and book your holiday with all the knowledge and protections available to you as a holidaymaker.
