One in three Brits admit feeling unsafe while on holiday

Gary Murphy, travel insurance expert at Gigasure

As tensions continue in parts of the Middle East, new research from travel insurance specialists, Gigasure, shows that British holidaymakers are far more concerned about falling victim to crime than being caught up in political unrest.

With conflict in the Middle East and frequent travel warnings making headlines, you would expect political instability to be the biggest concern for British travellers. However, Gigasure’s research suggests that holidaymakers are far more worried about the everyday risks they face once they arrive.

The survey found that almost one in three (32.88%) Brits have felt unsafe while on holiday abroad, but the biggest reason wasn’t terrorism, war or political unrest, it was crime.

More than a quarter (25.58%) said high crime rates had made them feel unsafe overseas, making it the most common concern. In comparison, just 11.66% said political tensions had made them feel unsafe while travelling.

Instead, holidaymakers were more likely to worry about:

– High crime rates (25.58%)
– Cultural differences (20.29%)
– Extreme weather (18.35%)
– Poor health and safety standards (17.54%)
– Political tensions (11.66%)

Others cited scams targeting tourists, unfamiliar surroundings, language barriers and harassment from street vendors as reasons they felt vulnerable abroad.

Despite war and political tensions coming low on the list of concerns, Gigasure is reminding holidaymakers to remain vigilant and avoid visiting impacted countries. Data from Gigasure partner, IMG**, shows that 12.4% of claims that were declined in the last 12 months have been due to war and terrorism. This may be because travellers are visiting destinations against FCDO advice. Many travel insurance policies won’t provide cover if you travel against official advice, meaning travellers could be left uninsured if they need to make a claim.

Gary Murphy, travel insurance expert at Gigasure, said: ““We know that ongoing conflicts and political unrest around the world are making travellers think twice before booking a holiday. But our research shows that in reality it’s the more common issues
such as theft, scams and unfamiliar surroundings that are most likely to leave holidaymakers feeling vulnerable.

“Wherever you’re going on holiday it’s important to research your destination before travelling. Take time to understand the local customs, any areas to avoid and make sure you keep your belongings safe. This also includes checking the latest FCDO travel advice for the region as this can affect your travel insurance cover leaving travellers without financial protection should something go wrong.”

Five top tips to keeping safe while on holiday:

– Use hotel safes to keep your valuables in. Passports, cash, jewellery, a space credit card should be left safely in your hotel room rather than carrying them everywhere. Try to only carry what you need for the day and have minimal cash.

– Avoid wearing expensive jewellery or having high-end cameras and phones on display while you are out. 

– Stay alert, particularly when you’re in crowded places. Be wary of pickpocketing and other possible petty crime operating in the area.

– Trust your instincts while exploring if an area doesn’t feel safe. Stick to main roads and areas with streetlights.

– Be aware of local customs and follow the guidelines for the region you are travelling in. For example, in some parts of Asia it is custom to remove your shoes when entering a shop or religious building. 

*Survey methodology – Gigasure survey conducted with Censuswide in April 2026 amongst 2,000 individuals aged 18+.

**IMG Data – Out of 5,730 claims that were declined in the last 12 months, 12.4% were due to war/terrorism