Holiday hotspots where tourists should ‘be extra careful’ of pickpockets – how to stay safe | Travel News | Travel
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Sam Willan, global vice president of marketing for StudentUniverse, revealed there are some key destinations where holidaymakers should be “extremely careful”.
He explained: “Although theft can happen anywhere in the world, there are places where you need to be more careful than others.
“Big cities that are tourist hotspots tend to be popular pickpocketing spots – think Barcelona, Paris and Rome.”
Recent research by money.co.uk found Barcelona’s famous Ramblas to be the “worst” resort for pickpockets in the world.
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The city’s famous cathedral, the Sagrada Familia, is also on the list at number 10.
Similarly, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Louvre and Notre-Dame de Paris have also been listed as notable areas where pickpockets can strike.
In Rome, the study named both the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum as areas to watch out for thieves.
Sam continued: “Further, be very careful in Buenos Aires, Hanoi and Bangkok, but it’s important not to be complacent wherever you are in the world.
“You should always pay particular attention to busy areas, such as train or bus stations, busy tourist attractions, markets and shopping malls.”
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How to protect yourself from pickpockets
According to Sam, there are several ways to protect your belongings from pickpocketing, including choosing the right bag and storing valuables properly.
He explained, “Our best advice would be to wear a shoulder bag (with zippers) and avoid keeping valuables in your pockets. Instead, zip them up in your bag.”
However, it may be best to leave out high-value items on your holiday packing list.
Sam added: “For really high value items like jewelry, our advice would be to think about whether you really need to take it with you.
“In most cases, we suggest leaving jewelry at home. If you can’t, insurance is a must.”
Although it may seem like just another expense, and one that you hope not to use up, travel insurance is absolutely essential for any trip.
Gov.uk is urging Britons to always take out appropriate travel insurance before going on holiday, not only for unforeseen medical treatment but also to cover their belongings.
Sam added: “We can’t stress enough the importance of traveling with insurance, especially for any medical issues that may arise.
“When it comes to valuables, it gives travelers extra peace of mind that their items are covered in the worst-case scenario.”
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