Travel in the age of ash

DESPITE the volcanic ash plumes causing chaos across Europe, Irish people are still travelling abroad and the sheer number of holidaymakers stranded overseas during the recent airport closures is testament to that. According to CSO figures there were over seven million overseas visits in 2009.

The Icelandic volcano may be causing all the disturbances at the moment but one of the top situations that can potentially ruin a trip is poor health. A new healthy travel campaign has been launched by well-known Lonely Planet writer and No Frontiers reporter, Fionn Davenport to remind members of the public that the expense and devastation of becoming ill while travelling is not worth the risk. It is pointed out that 25% of Irish holidaymakers fall ill on holiday and more than 90% of those not taking health precautions believe they are unnecessary despite all the evidence to the contrary.

One can get details on the new travel advice website www.healthytravel.ie