The biggest threats to tourists in Europe’s top holiday destinations | World | News
The belated arrival of hot weather and the closing of the school gates indicates that the long-awaited British summer is finally here. With many Brits heading away for a much-needed holiday in the coming weeks, it is vital to know the goings on at Britain’s most popular destinations.
From wildfires to protests and terrorism to scams, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released its updated travel advice ahead of the summer exodus. Here is what you need to know.
There have been widescale protests across Spain urging the authorities to cut down on its reliance on the tourism industry, especially in regards to short -term rentals.
The threat to travellers visiting Spanish tourism hotspots is minimal, with protests being largely peaceful and aimed at authorities rather than tourists themselves.
There have been sporadic incidents of tourists being targeted non-violently, including restaurant-goers in Barcelona being squirted with water pistols and hotels in Majorca being hit with protests.
In 2023, over 1.3 million people travelled from the UK to Cyprus making the small Mediterranean island one of the UK’s favourite holiday hotspots.
Its reliable climate and mix of clubbing and culture attractions has made it a popular destination in spite of its political difficulties which sees the island divided in two between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with the latter a self-declared country not recognised by the UK government.
Its close proximity to the Middle East means that it has not emerged unaffected by the turmoil seen in the region over the past year. As such, the FCDO advises that: “Events in the Middle East have led to heightened tensions and demonstrations are likely.
“Avoid any protests, political gatherings, or marches and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted.”
The FCDO also warns LGBTQ+ couples should not be fooled by the nations legalisation of same-sex civil partnerships, stating that LGBT travellers “may not be as widely accepted as in the UK.”
The Southern European island of Malta was a popular holiday destination of a young Queen Elizabeth II following the Duke of Edinburgh’s time posted there whilst in the Navy.
Whilst not as popular as Cyprus, it is an understated, underrated holiday destinations where blue water and sandy beaches meet Mediterranean cuisine and an abundance of history.
The FCDO warns that whilst crime against tourists is rare, it does happen on occasions with robbery, pickpocketing and handbag snatching all being recorded.
If travelling closer to the autumn, there is one unique danger to be aware of in Malta: Bird hunting season.
The island has two bird hunting seasons a year, with the dates decided on by the Maltese government. Hunting with firearms is common and whilst hunting areas are usually marked, travellers should take care to understand when and where hunts might be happening and to avoid accordingly.
