Keep your passport safe or miss out on your Spanish holiday
Alicante airport has agreed with the British Consulate in Alicante to display banners in the arrivals area
The banners will warn tourists that losing their passports will cause frustration and inconvenience as they miss out on valuable holiday time whilst they visit the Consulate and pay for an emergency passport to get home.
Over two million British travellers, who make up 45% of all those who use the airport, will see the banners titled “Lose your passport, lose your holiday” as they head for passport control. They will again be reminded of the message when they get to the baggage reclaim area.
Posters encouraging Britons to look after their valuables, especially their passports, will also be displayed in all the main tourist information offices across the Valencia region.
Every year the Consulate in Alicante issues around 1000 emergency passports at a euro equivalent cost of 95 pounds each. It’s a number that British consul, Paul Rodwell, is keen to reduce.
Says Paul:
We want to prevent British nationals from getting into trouble in the first place. Everyone arriving in Alicante is being reminded to think about where they’re going to keep their passport for the duration of their stay. My advice: lock it away somewhere safe and, if you have to take it with you, keep it in a zipped bag or pocket to ensure a hassle-free holiday.
Partnership is key in preventing consular cases and I am very grateful to both the airport and tourist authorities for agreeing to display these banners and posters free of charge.