England fans should check passports before heading to Africa

England football fans should make sure everything is prepared before they travel to the World Cup.

Travel Insurance News - 14/06/2010

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Authorities estimate up to 25,000 England fans are travelling to South Africa to cheer on their team at the FIFA World Cup. Travel experts, however, warn that many Brits risk disappointment over failure to check important details regarding their preparations for travel.

It is not unusual to be so caught up in preparations ahead of a big international trip that people miss some of the little things. In this case, however, that could spell disaster. It is too easy to buy flights, book hotel rooms, and pack, only to realise passports have gone missing.

British travellers holidaying in South Africa for up to 90 days do not need visas. However, visitors’ passports must have a validity of at least 30 days beyond the end of the intended visit. Also important is that there be at least two blank pages available in the passport.

Travel insurance firm esure has released the results of a recent study that show large numbers of British travellers put their holidays abroad at risk, simply because they fail to make some basic checks. Fifteen per cent of the people surveyed said they never check if their passports are valid. More than 25 per cent of people failed to do any research into what, if any, documents or visa they need to gain entry to their destination country.

Also worrying is the percentage of travellers who have no travel coverage. It’s a recurring theme of travel surveys and this time, the results are no different. Twenty per cent of the respondents in the survey admitted they don’t bother with insurance cover for travel.

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