Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
16 August 2012 09:24
Forest fires have prompted thousands of residents in La Gomera and Tenerife to be evacuated
British holidaymakers in the parts of the Canary Islands affected by forest fires have been urged to maintain contact with the Foreign Office.
Thousands of residents had to be evacuated from their homes after wildfires struck La Gomera and Tenerife, with 18 towns and villages across the two islands affected.
As yet, holiday resorts popular among British tourists have escaped unscathed, although some excursions in Tenerife have been suspended for the time being.
Travel association ABTA and the Foreign Office are both keeping a close eye on developments, with the latter advising British nationals to stay in touch.
Several forest fires continue to affect the Canaries, Galicia on the Spanish mainland, and the Greek island of Kefalonia, ABTA said. Spokesman Sean Tipton added: "Resorts have not been affected by the fires, though as a precaution tour operators have suspended some inland excursions on Tenerife."
Martin Rothwell, managing partner at Rothwell & Towler, said the situation as it stands at present would not normally be covered by standard travel insurance as such policies do not cover loss of enjoyment from not being able to visit a particular resort or location while on holiday.
"If tourists need to be relocated it will generally be a situation which tour operators would manage," he explained.
"We are however closely monitoring the situation and will provide emergency medical assistance to insured clients should they be injured as a result of accidents arising from these fires," Mr Rothwell added.
07 June 2019
Get hitched without a hitch! Here are our top tips on how to choose your perfect wedding location abroad, covering everything from food to legalities.
[more...]
03 June 2019
Want to get into surfing but not sure where to go? Here's where you should be heading to get the best beginner waves around the world.
Heading to the showpiece event of women's football in France this summer? Here's everything you need to know about England's venues for France 2019.
Get more out of your smartphone when you go travelling by downloading these travel apps and make your trip easier at the touch of a button.
24 May 2019
Heading to the football in Baku but don't know what else to do? Explore the hip and trendy crossroad of Europe and the Middle East and experience the fast-growing phenomenon, Azerbaijan.
Two of London's top football teams head east in search of silverware on May 29. If you're heading to Baku for the final, here's our guide on what you need to know before you go...
17 May 2019
There's more to Monaco than the Grand Prix. Discover the magic of the Mediterranean principality with our guide to what you must see in Monaco.
15 May 2019
Are you heading to one of Europe's best music festivals this summer? Then make sure you read our top ten tips before you leave...
What makes the Monaco Grand Prix so special? From a royal guestlist to a challenging circuit, we take a look at why the Monte Carlo Formula 1 race is so prestigious...
Get inspired for a summer of music, travel and adventure with our guide to some of the best music festivals around Europe.
07 May 2019
Thinking of visiting Spain? There are some excellent reasons to explore the country this spring and summer, from football finals to eating snails - so don't miss out!
Want to learn a new language without the hassle of going to classes? Check out our guide to the best free apps on the market and get yourself holiday-ready in no time.