According to Abta, one in three British travellers admit they regularly jet off without reading any key guidance or information on their destination.
The association, citing YouGov data, says 34% of holidaymakers surveyed said they believed they already knew everything they needed to know.
Three in 10, meanwhile, said they didn’t research vaccinations, currency issues and any relevant safety concerns before they had been to the destination previously.
Abta is calling on travellers to ensure they read relevant FCO advice before heading abroad, and is similarly urging its members to ensure they are clued up and take advantage of the association’s online resources to learn how to better communicate travel advice to clients.
The association said 67% of travellers checked some form of travel advice before taking a break, currency being the most researched top (59%), followed by healthcare (56%), entry requirements (54%) and safety and security (53%).
Details of local laws and customers were assessed by 41% of travellers, which include smoking bans on a number of popular Thai beaches, restrictions on public consumption of alcohol in Majorca and other regions of Spain and walking shirtless or in bathing gear in public in Croatia.
Nikki White, Abta director of destinations and sustainability, said: “While it is encouraging to see the majority of holidaymakers are looking for advice as they prepare for their trip abroad, many aren’t looking in all the right places for the most up to date information.
“Along with other useful information about your holiday and destination, your Abta travel agent or tour operator will be able to advise and sign post you to the latest FCO advice.
“Even if you have travelled to that country many times before, we live in a world where things are frequently changing so it’s recommended to check advice as you prepare for your holiday.
“Guidebooks and travel websites can also provide valuable tips about sightseeing and experiences, but may not reflect the most up to date travel advice.
“The FCO travel advice is the best place to get complete and up to date information on your holiday destination.”
One in six holidaymakers surveyed said they checked the relevant Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice before departure, and around the same a guidebook. Some 25% said they typically checked a travel review website.
