Thousands of young Brits are preparing for a first holiday abroad without parents this August, but travel bosses warn that freedom comes with pitfalls, especially for those leaving planning to the last minute. With flights, hotels and nightlife ramping up in peak season, ABTA is urging first-time independent travellers to sort the essentials before departure.
August peaks for young travellers
New research commissioned by ABTA suggests August is now the standout month for 18 to 24-year-olds travelling overseas, with almost half either booking or considering a trip this month. That is well ahead of the wider adult population, where fewer than a third are looking at going abroad. For many, it is a milestone break, but ABTA says basic preparation can make the difference between a great story and a holiday derailed by avoidable problems.
Travel industry leaders say August has overtaken June and July as the busiest month for young adults heading abroad, even though many in that age bracket are no longer restricted by the school summer calendar. One concern is how late many are leaving key arrangements. Almost half of those planning a summer trip said they expect to book within four weeks of travelling, which can squeeze the time available to check passports, organise cover and ensure planned activities are properly insured.
Safety advice and checklist
ABTA has published a checklist aimed at young travellers - and parents watching from home - highlighting the main risks and the simplest ways to reduce them. A major focus is staying safe on nights out. Holidaymakers are urged to drink responsibly and be aware of drink spiking and methanol poisoning, which can be linked to counterfeit or improperly made alcohol in some destinations. There is also a fresh warning about accidents around balconies, pools and the sea, particularly after alcohol, following a number of deaths and serious injuries involving British tourists abroad in recent years.
The organisation advises people to confirm passport validity well ahead of departure, take out travel insurance that covers what they actually plan to do - from watersports to moped hire - and book trips and excursions only through reputable providers. Young travellers are also told to share where they are staying with a parent or trusted friend, keep in touch while away, and use tools such as location-sharing on nights out. ABTA also suggests downloading offline maps in case phone signal is patchy.
ABTA's advice in full
Follow Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice before and during travel. Check your passport and take out appropriate travel insurance, making sure it covers any activities you plan to take part in. Book with an ABTA member for expert advice and support. Tell a parent, family member or trusted friend about your travel plans, including where you’re staying, and keep in touch while away. Look after your friends on nights out by sharing locations using apps such as Find My Friends and downloading offline maps. Drink responsibly and be aware of the risks of drink spiking and methanol poisoning. Take care around balconies, swimming pools and the sea, particularly after drinking alcohol. Book excursions and activities through reputable providers and think twice before hiring mopeds or quad bikes.
Graeme Buck, director of communications at ABTA, said many of those travelling this summer would be doing so without parents for the first time. He said: "For many young people heading abroad this month, it could be their first holiday without parents or family. It's an exciting milestone, and taking a little time to prepare before travelling can help make it memorable for all the right reasons. Checking things like passport validity and travel insurance, as well as exploring how to stay safe and look after themselves and their friends, should be an important part of the holiday prep. Booking with an ABTA member can also provide valuable guidance before departure and support should anything unexpected happen while away." Mr Buck also urged holidaymakers to check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's travel advice before and during their trip. The survey of 2,000 UK adults was carried out for ABTA by The Nursery Research and Planning in May this year.
