20 March 2008

'Saga louts' warned over holiday excesses

Over-55s holidaymakers who overdo it when abroad by eating and drinking too much as putting themselves in danger, it has been claimed.

The Foreign Office has reportedly warned that excessive alcohol can cause problems when older holidaymakers participate in dangerous sports such as bungee jumping.

Eating and drinking too much has also led to people being drowned.

The BBC reported that older British holidaymakers are causing the sort of trouble normally associated with the younger generation.

The FO said recent polls showed that almost a quarter of 55-plus travellers try activities thye would not consider at home.

And nearly two in three admitted not taking out travel insurance on their last foreign trip. More than half drink more alcohol abroad than they would do in the UK.

FO minister Meg Munn was quoted as saying: Ã¢â¬Åâœthe Foreign Office is all for over-55s having fun on holiday, but it is crucial they make some simple preparations to help avoid encountering difficulties when abroad.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœAcquiring adequate travel insurance is a must, and health scares abroad can be avoided by visiting a GP and having a health check before embarking on a holiday.Ã¢â¬~

The British vice-consul in Rhodes Rania Kossiori said: Ã¢â¬Åâœmost problems we see with the older generation of Brits arise from over-consumption of alcohol and food.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœDrinking and staying too long in the sun can make you ill, and undertaking strenuous activity like going swimming or snorkelling after a large meal can put you in unnecessary danger. People have drowned this way.Ã¢â¬~

by Phil Davies

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Your Comments (4)

Unfair, I suggest

Paul Neaves suggests that Saga prices are too high and that the company is "The BAA of the seniors holiday trade". Now, I am out of touch with the package holiday market these days, but I am fairly sure that Saga is not the only company in the UK that is allowed to sell holidays to seniors. And if they don't have this unique distinction, then they don't have a monopoly - as does BAA. Paul has the right of choice when selecting his product and, if he doesn't like Saga's prices, then he can find another supplier.

By Richard English, Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saga Lout excess

No wonder the saga lout generation like to eat and drink when you find out how uncompetitive Saga Holiday prices are. Are they the BAA of the seniors holiday trade?

By Paul Neaves, Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Another good piece of PR

As I wrote in my last posting, the anti-alcohol lobby has a wonderful PR organisation working for it - and I wish we could get them working for the travel trade. Mind you, I imagine that they are very expensive - though I can't imagine who's footing their bill - the NHS maybe? But the classic symptoms of a PR fake are all there: "...it has been claimed..."; "...has reportedly warned..."; "...More than half drink more alcohol abroad than they would do in the UK...." Good heavens - what a staggering finding - that people drink more when they're on holiday than when they're at work! Who'd have thought it? A non-story spun into an anti-alcohol story to keep up the pressure that will, if the lobby succeeds in its aims, lead to prohibition.

By Richard English, Saturday, March 22, 2008
Fair advice, but....

Here is yet another example of sanctimonious advice from the 'nanny' State

By judy mortimer, Saturday, March 22, 2008