hotspots

Travel experts have named the places you could find yourself at risk – including in Spain, France, Italy, Turkey and Thailand

Holiday season is almost in full swing with just weeks until we hit the peak summer travel window, and millions of people will head from the UK to familiar locations in the sun. Each year we make more than 55million holiday trips abroad, with places like Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Portugal topping the list of destinations.

People from the UK usually travel to familiar locations, believing they will be safe from crime and disease, while shunning places they think may be more ‘trouble’. But travel experts have warned some of the most familiar spots are actually the most dangerous – where you are most likely to experience things like becoming a victim of crime.

Those destinations include familiar favourites such as Spain, France, Italy and Turkey.

Diana Peng from Just Wanderlust said: “Places that are regarded as safe but aren’t include popular places such as Paris and Barcelona. I’ve heard so many horror stories from travelers to those cities and I’ve also been the target of crime in those cities – it is rampant and yet, it’s barely discussed.

“Groups of pickpockets and scammers frequently work the tourist crowds in these popular cities. They are also easy targets: preoccupied, lost, or trying to get photos more so than paying attention to their surroundings.”

Patrick Farrell of Viceroy Bali added: “Regions like Cancun and Acapulco in Mexico make me think they are safe, when in fact, they are not. I have received clients who booked luxury wellness retreats there, only for them to experience unforeseen safety concerns outside the resort areas.

“Furthermore, cities like Paris and Barcelona are pretty in their own right, but they do pose some level of safety concern. The two cities have a high risk of pickpocketing and scamming tourists. My advice always is to look at government-issued travel advisories, and talking to someone who knows the city is very useful.”

Ross Thompson at Covac Global said: “Places like Naples, Italy and Tokyo, Japan sit on massive seismic and geologic risks. Naples sits near Mt Vesuvius which is an active volcano that last erupted in 1944. While it’s closely monitored it sits near a highly dense population and is closely monitored for a reason.

“Tokyo sits on a major seismic zone where an earthquake or tsunami can strike not only Tokyo but many other highly visited Japanese cities without warning causing massive destruction.”

He added: “Hidden risks can manifest politically, even if they say it is welcoming to Western tourists, they may have less noted political or civil strife either internally or externally. Think about the attempted coup in Turkey in 2016 where the opposition actually seized airports, bridges and media entities and both tanks and fighter jets filled the cities and skies.”

Ross also warned about ‘kidnapping in Mexico’s most popular cities’ and the risk of illness in Western Africa, Thailand and Brazil.

He highlighted Bali in Indonesia as a particular risk – surrounded by active volcanoes, at threat of political upheaval and home to ‘a host of exotic diseases including Dengue Fever, Malaria and Typhoid’

He said: “And when disaster does strike – you’re on an island and you and everyone else wants out.”

Christian Petzold, travel expert at BCN Travel, said: “Mexico is the proverbial example. Cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are tourist havens: splendour and creation in concert. Yet, in the past few years, intermittent conflicts of criminal gangs have touched even these sanctuaries of tourism, some directly in the proximity of tourist zones.”

He added: “Paris, on the other hand, although arguably one of the most visited cities, is known for petty crimes around Gare du Nord, Montmartre, and near the Eiffel Tower. Pickpocketing is almost a fine art there, whereas protests and strikes disrupt transport and city services with unpredictability. I always recommend guests carry crossbody bags, beware of strangers who get too friendly too fast, and keep eyes and ears open for local news updates.

“Rome has a similar ambience. Whereas it is rich in history and culture, Termini Station and some venues near the Vatican attract scams and thefts: from fake helpful locals to those touting friendship bracelets or petitions, the usual distraction-and-robbery routine.

“Thailand poses a curious case. Generally safe and world-renowned for hospitality, guests should be wary of certain transportation modes, especially tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis, which are often unregulated. Some islands like Koh Tao have been in the spotlight due to a string of deaths of tourists that went unsolved amidst rumblings of local corruption. When it comes to political differences in Bangkok, protests tend to escalate relatively quickly, thereby promptly throwing an alienated tourist into the midst of demonstrations.”

How to stay safe on a foreign holiday

Staying safe on a foreign holiday involves a mix of preparation, awareness, and common sense. Here’s the best advice broken down into key areas:

Before You Go

1. Research the Destination Check travel advice from the UK Foreign Office: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Understand local laws, customs, and any safety concerns (crime, weather, political instability, etc.).
2. Get Travel Insurance Make sure it covers health emergencies, cancellations, theft, and adventure activities if applicable.
3. Copies of Important Documents Keep digital and printed copies of your passport, travel insurance, visa, and emergency contacts.

While You’re There

1. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas. Be cautious of pickpockets, especially in crowded places (tourist hotspots, public transport).
2. Protect Your Valuables Use a money belt or hidden pouch. Leave expensive jewellery and unnecessary tech at home or in a safe.
3. Use Reliable Transport Use official taxis, ride apps (e.g., Uber), or public transport where safe. Don’t hitchhike.
4. Be Cautious with Alcohol Drink in moderation and never leave drinks unattended. Avoid accepting drinks from strangers.
5. Local Laws and Etiquette Respect dress codes, especially in religious or conservative areas. Know what’s illegal – e.g., vaping in Thailand, chewing gum in Singapore.

Health & Emergency

1. Know Emergency Numbers Not all countries use 112 or 999. Look up the local emergency number.
2. Medications Bring enough prescribed medication with a copy of your prescription. Check if your medication is legal in your destination country.
3. Vaccinations & Health Risks Visit a travel clinic for any necessary jabs or malaria tablets.
4. Avoid Unsafe Food/Water In higher-risk areas, stick to bottled water and avoid street food that isn’t freshly cooked.

Tech & Communication

1. Stay Connected Get a local SIM or roaming plan. Share your itinerary and daily check-ins with someone back home.
2. Download Essential Apps Maps, translation, local transport, embassy locator, travel insurance app.

As concern around over-tourism continues to spread across Spain, local authorities in the Balearics deployed a rather unusual strategy – which it now admits massively backfired

The Spanish government has suddenly u-turned on a pro-tourism policy following major backlash. Local authorities in the Balearics (which include the postcard-worthy islands of Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza) had recently revealed plans to alleviate the strain on popular hotspots by making use of selfie-addicted influencers.

The rather unusual strategy pushed those with a huge social media following to start plugging attractions in the Balearics that have failed to enter the tourist limelight. However, it seems the power these Instagram and TikTok pros have should not be undermined, as the plan worked. In fact, it worked too well…

Take Caló des Moro, for example, an incredible bay tucked away in the southeast corner of Majorca. This idyllic slice of paradise feels worlds away from the bustling streets of Magaluf – boasting 40 metres of sugar-like sand, turquoise waters, and rugged cliffs. For years, it remained a true hidden gem, with travellers often being able to enjoy the spot to themselves if they were willing to get there early.

READ MORE: Brits urged to act now as Spain Airbnb crackdown to have ‘severe’ effect

The cove can accommodate around 100 people, before it would start to feel like you’re being sardined next to a stranger on the beach. But, after a slew of influencers started raving about the destination – an insufferable amount of tourists were flocking their en masse.

The Guardian reports that last June, María Pons, the local mayor, held a press conference saying that a whopping 4,000 people and 1,200 vehicles were visiting Caló des Moro every single day. She reportedly begged travel tour operators to not mention the cove again, or offer Brits excursions to the hotspot.

“It’s had the completely opposite effect to what was intended and runs contrary to government policy on containing tourism,” a government spokesperson added. Local authorities have since scrubbed all images of Caló des Moro from their official website, hoping the hype will eventually die down.

Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter

The influencer-driven boom won’t have been well received by fed-up locals, who blame tourists for the country’s worsening housing crisis. In fact, just last weekend – thousands of frustrated residents flocked to the streets to call for major reform, armed with banners ordering Brits to ‘go home’.

As anti-tourist sentiment gets louder and louder – Spain’s crackdowns become harsher, even if it puts Brits out of pocket. Earlier this week, the government sensationally ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday listings from its website – a move that could spike hotel prices and reduce accommodation availability during the upcoming summer.

An estimated 65,935 Airbnb properties will be delisted for breaking strict regulation rules. This could be because owners failed to include their licence number, didn’t specify whether they were running as an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records.

Already booked an Airbnb in Spain? You can follow one travel expert’s advice here.

Has rising anti-tourist sentiment put you off from visiting Spain? Email [email protected] for a chance to share your story

Brits are being warned to check before travelling to the likes of France, Italy, Spain and more to avoid being surprised by a common extra cost when they check-in at their hotel

Brits planning their summer holidays are being warned to check for additional costs before they head off to their destination.

That’s because there are plenty of hotspots in the likes of France, Spain and Italy charge a tourist tax, often for every day of your stay. While this isn’t usually more than a few euros each day, it’s worth noting that it’s rarely included in the original cost of your holiday, but rather is paid when you check-in to your hotel.

However, a survey from Quotezone revealed that 45% of Brits don’t plan for additional expenses on holiday – and so can be caught off-guard when they’re asked to pay at reception.

Greg Wilson, CEO and travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “If you’re planning a trip to any city in Europe this year, you must be aware of the potential additional costs to your holiday such as tourist tax – often these extras are not obvious beforehand and normally due for payment when you check out of your accommodation. Tourism taxes range anywhere between less than €1 to almost €15 per night and can be charged per person.”

READ MORE: Three very unlikely Austrian towns hoping to host Eurovision next year

Although tourist taxes aren’t new, they’ve been an increasing source of tension in recent years as holiday destinations look to combat overtourism. Just recently, Jet2’s CEO Steve Heapy raised concerns that tourist taxes might increase as a result of the over tourism demonstrations in Spain.

It comes following protests in hotspots such as Barcelona and the Canary Islands, with locals calling for more restrictions. The Mayor of Salou Pere Granados had previously championed a charge of 84p per day for tourists, explaining at a round table: “The tourists pay tax in the same way as the residents pay taxes. If I come to London, I generate waste.”

However, Benidorm’s mayor Antonio Perez said he was against the tourist tax “because it’s stigmatising the visitors as the ones who are preventing me from having a better city or better services”.

Meanwhile in Italy, in recent years Venice has introduced a tourism tax for ‘day trippers’, in a bid to combat the crowds that descend upon the city, including during peak cruise holiday seasons. Just last year city officials confirmed they would be increasing the tax for 2025, and even doubling the fee for last-minute holidaymakers.

The experts at Quotezone warned: “When budgeting for your trip, it is important to take additional fees and tax into consideration. Recently many countries have actually raised their fees for tourists. Visitors in Paris may find themselves paying up to €14.95 a night – while Venice has introduced a trial for visitors to pay a €5 entry fee to the city during daytime hours, including additional costs for anyone staying in the city overnight. While planning your trip, make sure to research tourist tax in that area so you can be prepared for the additional costs.”

Do you think a tourism tax is a good idea? Let us know in the comments below.