British holidaymakers are being urged to familiarise themselves with the genuine scope of consular assistance before heading overseas this summer, as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) highlights some of the more unusual requests received by its staff. With millions of Brits preparing to jet off for their summer breaks, consular teams across the globe are working tirelessly, handling hundreds of thousands of enquiries annually.
Over the past year, UK embassies, high commissions, and consulates worldwide dealt with more than 328,000 requests for help, averaging close to 900 calls every day. While the vast majority of these related to serious issues such as lost passports, medical emergencies, or arrests, a number of peculiar requests have also surfaced. These included a British holidaymaker in Jordan asking where to get blonde highlights, an individual in France seeking help to locate their parked car near the Eiffel Tower, and a caller in Georgia enquiring about granting British citizenship to their two pets for diplomatic protection.
Other memorable calls involved a holidaymaker in Egypt complaining about their hotel's shower temperature, a Brit in Nigeria seeking a refund for an unsatisfactory meal, and someone asking the FCDO how to contact their postman back in the UK. With the World Cup quarter-finals generating excitement, some recent enquiries have also been football-related, such as a caller in Italy asking where to watch a specific group game in Milan.
The FCDO stresses that while it cannot assist with hairdressing appointments, resolving restaurant complaints, or trivial matters, its consular staff provide crucial support for tens of thousands of British citizens every year. This includes issuing Emergency Travel Documents for lost or stolen passports – with over 29,500 issued last year – and offering information and advice to victims of crime or those requiring medical assistance abroad, which accounted for 8,573 contacts last year.
The UK Government is reminding travellers to take simple, preventative steps to ensure a safe trip. This involves consulting the latest FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination, signing up for email alerts to stay informed of any changes, and securing appropriate travel insurance. Sarah Taylor, Director for Consular and Crisis, emphasised that FCDO expert consular staff are available 24/7 to help with genuine crises, from replacing lost passports to supporting individuals in distress.