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Prague 'tourist trouble hotspot' Prague 'tourist trouble hotspot'
(1 day later)
British stag and hen groups heading to Prague have made the Czech Republic a hotspot for travellers getting into trouble, government figures suggest. The "massive influx" of UK stag and hen parties to Prague has made the Czech Republic a hotspot for British travellers in trouble, figures suggest.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) report shows Britons holidaying in the Czech Republic need a disproportionate amount of consular assistance. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) report says Britons visiting the Czech Republic need a "disproportionate" amount of consular assistance.
More Britons lose their passports, get arrested or hospitalised in the country than some more popular destinations. More Britons lose their passports, get arrested or taken to hospital in the country than some more popular places.
Those in India, Thailand and Australia also need a large amount of assistance.Those in India, Thailand and Australia also need a large amount of assistance.
Spain tops list Lost passports
More British tourists need hospitalisation in the Czech Republic than in Germany, which receives more than three times the number of Britons, the FCO figures from April 2005 to March 2006 show. More British tourists are taken to hospital in the Czech Republic than in Germany, which receives more than three times the number of Britons, the FCO figures from April 2005 to March 2006 show.
The number of Britons who lose their passports in the Czech Republic is also higher than in Greece, even though Greece has three times as many British visitors, the report says. TOP TROUBLE HOTSPOTS 1. Spain - 13.8m visitors, 5,627 serious assistance cases2. USA - 4.1m/3,0063. Greece - 2.4m/2,3164. France - 11m/1,4085. Germany - 2.5m/1,3816. Cyprus - 1.4m/9967. India - 847,000/9148. Thailand - 381,000/8979. Czech Republic - 813,000/84510. Australia - 650,000/815Source: British Behaviour Report for 1 April 2005-31 March 2006
Foreign Office research last year suggested 24% of people on stag and hen parties face problems abroad. The number of Britons who lose their passports in the Czech Republic is also higher than in Greece, even though Greece has three times as many British visitors, the British Behaviour Abroad Report says.
COUNTRIES WHERE BRITONS REQUIRED MOST CONSULAR ASSISTANCE (1 APRIL 2005-31 MARCH 2006) 1. Spain - 13.8m visitors, 5,627 serious assistance cases2. USA - 4.1m/3,0063. Greece - 2.4m/2,3164. France - 11m/1,4085. Germany - 2.5m/1,3816. Cyprus - 1.4m/9967. India - 847,000/9148. Thailand - 381,000/8979. Czech Republic - 813,000/84510. Australia - 650,000/815 Foreign Office research last year suggested 24% of people on stag and hen parties faced problems abroad.
"The Czech Republic features as one of the countries where most consular assistance is required with a disproportionate number of lost passports, arrests and hospitalisations," the British Behaviour Abroad Report says. The Latvian capital Riga is among places which have become more popular with British tourists, partly as a result of improved air links to Eastern Europe.
"This is likely to be due to the massive influx of hen and stag parties to Prague." Mike Johnson, an American who runs Patricia Tourist Office in Riga, told BBC Radio Five Live local people were not keen on some of the visitors and bad behaviour by some was affecting tourism.
To have a bunch of loud-mouthed boys come here and drink, take off their shirts, run around the streets... it's not very well-received Mike Johnson, Patricia Tourist Office in Riga
"Latvia is a very quiet, shy country - the people are very calm. They teach their children, for example, not to speak in a tram as they ride," he said.
"And so to have a bunch of loud-mouthed boys come here and drink, take off their shirts, run around the streets and scream and pee on our monuments, it's not very well-received."
Top of the list of countries where Britons require consular assistance is Spain - also the most popular holiday destination.Top of the list of countries where Britons require consular assistance is Spain - also the most popular holiday destination.
A total of 13.8m British travellers visited Spain in 2005/06.A total of 13.8m British travellers visited Spain in 2005/06.
HAVE YOUR SAY Whenever I am abroad I am embarrassed to be British Chris, Cardiff Send us your comments
During that time the country had the highest number of deaths (1,325), the most lost or stolen passports (6,078) and the most arrests (1,549).During that time the country had the highest number of deaths (1,325), the most lost or stolen passports (6,078) and the most arrests (1,549).
Overall, Britons in Spain had the biggest number of serious cases needing consular assistance (5,627). Overall, Britons in Spain ALSO had the biggest number of serious cases needing consular assistance (5,627).
Planning aheadPlanning ahead
Other key findings were:Other key findings were:
  • Greece had the most cases of rape (48) and the highest number of Britons hospitalised (955)
  • Greece had the most cases of rape (48) and the highest number of Britons hospitalised (955)
  • Australia had a disproportionate number of lost or stolen passports. Some 2,023 of the country's 650,000 visitors mislaid or lost their travel document - the third highest total despite not being in the top 10 most popular destinations
  • Australia had a disproportionate number of lost or stolen passports. Some 2,023 of the country's 650,000 visitors mislaid or lost their travel document - the third highest total despite not being in the top 10 most popular destinations
  • France - the second most popular country with 10.98m British visitors - only had 713 reported lost or stolen passports
  • France - the second most popular country with 10.98m British visitors - only had 713 reported lost or stolen passports
  • India, Thailand and Australia appeared in the top 10 countries requiring consular assistance despite not being among the most popular destinations. This could be because while Britons are becoming more adventurous, they are not taking adequate precautions, the FCO said.
  • India, Thailand and Australia appeared in the top 10 countries requiring consular assistance despite not being among the most popular destinations. This could be because while Britons are becoming more adventurous, they are not taking adequate precautions, the FCO said.
    • FCO minister Meg Munn said many problems faced by British holidaymakers could be avoided.FCO minister Meg Munn said many problems faced by British holidaymakers could be avoided.
    "Simple precautions like researching your destination, getting comprehensive travel insurance, checking out medical requirements and taking copies of important documents could help avoid common travelling traumas, risks and dangers in the long-run," she added. "Simple precautions like researching your destination, getting comprehensive travel insurance, checking out medical requirements and taking copies of important documents could help avoid common travelling traumas, risks and dangers in the long-run," she said.
    Fair Trials Abroad senior policy officer Amanda Cumberland, said: "We fully support the Foreign Office campaign to ensure that Britons travelling abroad prepare appropriately for their trip, are familiar with relevant travel advice, and behave responsibly when they are on holiday.
    "As an organisation that deals with many cases of British nationals facing real distress in foreign countries, we are just as keen as the Foreign Office to see fewer Britons getting into trouble and to see the numbers needing assistance fall."
    The FCO advises travellers to visit its website www.fco.gov.uk/travel before heading abroad.The FCO advises travellers to visit its website www.fco.gov.uk/travel before heading abroad.
    Are you affected by any of the issues in the story? Have you needed consular assistance in a foreign country? Do the British behave badly when abroad? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you affected by any of the issues in the story? Have you needed consular assistance in a foreign country? Do the British behave badly when abroad? Send us your comments and experiences.
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