Holiday Info For Youngsters

The Identity and Passport Service is reminding 'holiday virgins' to apply for their passports in good time to avoid missing out on the fun of a first parent-free holiday.

A first parent-free holiday can be a great time to 'come of age', with new experiences good and bad, according to a new poll. Falling in love and skinny dipping top the list of memorable moments, while getting lost or stranded and stomach upsets are the among the common low points, according to the research. But this year's 'holiday virgins' could face an even bigger disaster: getting left behind if they fail to allow six weeks to arrange their first passport.

Bernard Herdan, IPS Executive Director for Service Planning and Delivery, said:

"Of all potential holiday mishaps that could befall you, not getting to go away with your friends in the first place is perhaps the most disappointing.

"Due to changes being introduced to prevent identity theft, fraud and forgery, from this summer first-time adult passport customers are advised to allow six weeks for their passport to be processed. They may also be asked to attend a short face-to-face interview as part of new anti-fraud measures being introduced into the passport application process.

"We want to ensure that those who are going on their first unsupervised trip abroad don't get left behind because they didn't get their passport organised in time."

With thousands of young people taking their first holiday abroad without parental or school supervision this year, it is important that travellers are aware that passport changes introduced to combat identity fraud mean that they should now allow six weeks for their passport to be processed if they are applying for first adult passport. There is no longer a fast-track service for first-time adult passports and those aged 16 and over who have never owned a passport before will have to attend a short face-to-face interview to confirm their identity.

According to the poll, 18 is the age at which most men and women take their first holiday abroad without their parents (21%), with young people most likely to go away with a group of same sex friends (30%), followed by a mixed group (22%), while 17% holiday with a partner. IPS is advising 'holiday virgins' to ensure that they arrange their passport in good time for their trip, and never to book travel before they have received their passport. They may also wish to prepare for the most common first holiday experiences, as revealed by the research:

1. Drinking too much alcohol: The worst experience for almost half of the UK's 'holiday virgins' is drinking too much alcohol, at 45%, (49% for men and 40% for women). At 60%, Wales reports this occurring most frequently, followed by Scotland (56%) and the North East (55%). Londoners were least likely to have drunk too much, at 28%.

2. Sunburn/sunstroke: sunburn/sunstroke is the second most common holiday hazard for 33% of the first-time travellers surveyed, with the North East (54%), Eastern (52%) and Yorkshire and Humberside (41%) regions most likely to suffer from too much sun, and Londoners least likely to 'feel the burn' (14%).

3. A holiday romance: a holiday romance is the next most likely experience, enjoyed by 20% of Britons venturing abroad for the first time. A quarter of men (25%) enjoy a holiday romance, compared to 16% of women. Scotland has the greatest number of holiday lovers at 28%, closely followed by London (27%) and the West Midlands and Eastern regions (23%). Those from the South West are least likely to have a holiday romance (6%).

4. Getting lost or stranded: this is a common mishap, with 11% of first-time British holidaymakers reporting this experience. 16% of those from the East and West Midlands seem most vulnerable to losing their keys or their way home.

=5. Skinny dipping: In joint fifth place at 8%, it appears that skinny dipping is a rite of passage for groups of mates abroad, particularly men at 12% compared to just 4% of women. Those from the North West (15%), South East (15%), and Scotland (14%) are most likely to share a bare-skinned swim with their friends during their first trip abroad.

=5. Stomach bugs: sadly, stomach bugs also make it into the top five first-time holiday experiences, affecting 8% of the nation, with 18% of the North West most likely to suffer 'holiday tummy'. Just 2% of those from Scotland and the West Midlands report being similarly affected.

6. Losing virginity: 3% of those surveyed lost their virginity on their first holiday abroad (5% of males and 2% of females). This is most likely for those from the North West at 9%.

7. Losing passport: 1% reported losing their passport on their first trip abroad.

Further findings of the research include:

* The Welsh are the most likely to enjoy their first unsupervised holiday aged eighteen, at a third (33%), followed by those from the East Midlands (30%). The North East is the region least likely to go away at this age, at only 12%.

* A group holiday with friends of the same sex is the most popular way for 30% of first time travellers abroad. Those from Wales (49%) and the North West (42%) are particularly keen on this type of holiday.

* Scots are mostly likely to go away with a group of both male and female friends at 36%, compared to the national average of 22%.

* 17% of Britons going abroad for the first time went with a partner. This is most popular in the East Midlands (31%) and South West (25%).

* Only 3% of the nation responded that their first trip abroad without their parents was during a gap year.

* Britons are most likely to get their first adult passport at the age of 16 (38%).

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) was established as an executive agency of the Home Office on 1 April 2006. It builds on the strong foundations of the UK Passport Service to provide passport services to the public and, as part of the National Identity Scheme established through the Identity Cards Act 2006, will be responsible for the introduction of the National Identity Scheme.

2. The 1 June 2007 withdrawal of the fast-track service for first-time adult customers was announced on 20 March 2007 (Home Office press notice 053/2007, available at: http://www.passport.gov.uk/press-2007-03-20.asp).

3. Research conducted by ICM Research in May 2007. 783 over-18s were questioned about their first holiday experiences.

4. For media enquiries and interview requests relating to IPS and passports issued in the UK, please contact the Home Office Newsdesk on 020 7035 3535.

5. For further information see http://www.ips.gov.uk or call the IPS Adviceline on 0870 5210410.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO PASSPORTS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

British passports are changing to make them, and the passport application process, more secure. These changes are an important part of the fight against identity fraud, illegal immigration and illegal working, countering terrorism and serious and organised crime. Tough new international standards for passport security also mean Britons' freedom to travel would be reduced if these changes aren't introduced.

There are three main changes which are outlined below:

Biometric Passports

All passports now issued are biometric passports (also known as ePassports) which include a chip in the passport book storing physical details of the holder's face (known as the facial image biometric). The chip can be used to store further information, such as fingerprints, in the future.

The new biometric passport looks very similar to the current one, although it features a logo indicating that there is a chip inside. Internally there are many new security features: the pages have intricate designs and a new complex watermark based on images of British birds. The reverse of the personal data page also holds a chip on which the holder's photo and personal details are stored. The information itself cannot be altered because the advanced encryption techniques used are highly secure. As the information is allied to a specific photo, a copy would be of no use to an impersonator trying to use it fraudulently.

Face-to-face interviews

From the summer of 2007, an increasing number of first-time customers for an adult passport (16 years and over) will be required to attend a face-to-face interview with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) to confirm their identity.

A national network of 69 interview offices is opening for people to attend their interview. A choice of time and location for the interview will be offered. People will be asked basic information about themselves - not deeply private information, but information that can be checked.

IPS estimates that the total process will take about 30 minutes, including an interview of 10-20 minutes.

Improved background checks

IPS has introduced an improved system of identity checking for first-time applicants. Public and private sector databases are checked to confirm an applicant's current address and history of identity.

The changes do mean that people applying for a passport should allow a little longer than in the past - ideally six weeks - before travelling. It also means it is now no longer possible for IPS to provide the fast-track (one week) service to first-time adult passport customers.