Danger zone still lures travellers

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The danger zone is still luring risk-taking travellers off the beaten track, a new survey has found.

As many as 12% of Britons going abroad in the last five years have ignored Foreign Office advice to avoid the more than 30 countries on its "no-go" list.

And a further 8% - including 16% of 18-24 year olds - are planning trips to those risky destinations in the next 12 months.

The survey for insurer LV showed that nearly half who took the risk had been crime victims while away, meaning they not only lost valuable items, but also had to make time-consuming claims on their travel insurance. Problems have included stolen luggage, pickpocketing, bribe-seeking corrupt officials and aggressive begging.

As many as 62% had travelled with no assistance or advice from a local tour guide, and 20% said they had taken the risky route because they were bored with "predictable" resorts.

LV spokeswoman Emma Holyer said: "Although it's great to see new places, it's also very important that travellers understand the risks they face if they are going to a potentially dangerous destination.

It's easy to get blase about travelling off the tourist trail, but we'd urge people to research their destination thoroughly and pay attention to the Government advice."

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