At our recent risk, safety and crisis management seminar, we were pleased to welcome representatives from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) as guest speakers.
In our follow-up feedback survey, the FCDO presentation was cited by attendees as one of the standout sessions after delegates were treated to an insight into how the FCDO operates and the importance of their services providing vital information aimed at keeping travellers safe abroad.
The start of the Euro 2024 football tournament is less than a month away (14th June – 14th July 2024) with a vast number of England and Scotland supporters expected to descend on Germany to support their teams. It’ll no doubt be an amazing atmosphere and for some fans a once-in-a-lifetime trip away. But as with all holidays, there’s always a chance for unfortunate accidents and incidents.
The Safer Tourism Foundation presented at the same seminar about the concept of ‘The Holiday Head’ - the idea that travellers often take more risks on holiday and act in ways they wouldn’t normally consider doing at home.
That’s why we’re urging our clients and travel colleagues to share the important information and assets provided by the FCDO ahead of Euro 2024.
How you can help
If your business has organised travel, trips, or accommodation for travellers to Germany for the tournament, here are some ways you can help keep your customers safe and give them the best possible experience:
Sharing the FCDO dedicated Euro 2024 website page for the most up-to-date information
Encouraging fans to sign up for email alerts and the official Euros App for additional ways to stay updated
Pointing them towards the FCDO social media channels for up-to-the-minute information (X, Facebook and Instagram)
Reposting FCDO social media posts using the campaign hashtag #TravelAware and official #EURO2024 handle
Highlighting key contact numbers for anyone requiring assistance while away:
24/7 on +44 (0)20 7008 5000 or by calling the embassy locally on +49 (0)30 204570. Fans in Germany can access the German emergency services by dialling 112
You can also download ready-made assets for your own social media posts here
What’s in it for me?
We think it’s important to get behind campaigns such as Travel Aware to ensure travellers are in the know about support and services available to them if they encounter a problem while away. Raising awareness of the campaign’s key themes can help reduce the risk of preventable accidents and injuries and avoid subsequent insurance claims. Equally, if a customer of yours needs help while away and it’s not as a result of anything your business has been involved in, directing them to the FCDO can remove customer service pressure on your own operations and reduce negative perception of your brand.
What if you do need to act on behalf of your customers?
Having robust risk management plans and procedures in place are key to making sure your team and operations are prepared for potential incidents and situations. If you’d like to know more about how we can help you to manage your risk, safety and crisis responses, get in touch for a chat with our expert team.
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