“Winter weather is significantly belated this year, thus with winter already at its halfway point, we see that our country’s skiing fans are also in no rush to visit skiing resorts. In neighbouring countries, just as in Lithuania, due to weather conditions, there are none of the usual skiing opportunities, while trips to French of Swiss skiing resorts are chosen by fewer people this year,” insurance company Gjensidige Health, Travel and Personal Accidents Claims Department head Ana Taraitienė spoke.
According to A. Taraitienė, Lithuanians are more actively than last year travelling to not only warmer countries, but also to exotic ones. “While Egypt remains the most popular country this year as well, visited by people longing for warmth and sunshine, but we are noticing a new trend – growing numbers of people visiting Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines,” the insurance company representative said.
According to Gjensidige data, over the first half of last winter, a fifth of holiday goers from Lithuania went abroad to ski, while 80% travelled to warm countries. Meanwhile, with this winter reaching its midpoint, the company’s statistics show that 85% of individuals travelling abroad choose sunny skies and warm weather versus 15% travelling to skiing resorts.
A. Taraitienė highlights another shift – arm and leg traumas this winter are experienced by travellers not on skiing slopes, but at the pool, in hotel territories or from falling off of transport vehicles.
According to her, the rising popularity of exotic journeys has expanded the list of health risks facing our country’s travellers abroad. “This year, among the most frequent diagnoses we find virus and bacterial infections, gastroenteritis and ear inflammations. We have also noticed tropical malaria, thermal burns, Dengue Fever. The numbers show that the average payment for medical services in Thailand, which reaches 1,300 euro is significantly higher than in Egypt or in skiing resorts,” A. Taraitienė said.
The insurance claims expert also points out significantly increased medical service prices in Egypt this season. “Practice shows that even if you fall ill, in this country you should not lose your negotiation skills. Our numbers show that certain medical service prices in Egyptian resorts have risen by an entire 90%,” the insurer said.
According to the company’s data, during the first half of this winter, the average payment for medical services in Egypt, compared to the same period last year, almost doubled, reaching 554 euro.
According to A. Taraitienė, in recent months, there has been an increase of individuals travelling to warm countries with children. This is also reflected in the company’s statistics: with last winter having reached its halfway point, 16% of the insurance events abroad occurred to travellers under the age of 10. For the same period this year, this number is at 22%.
“The very smallest travellers are less resistant to disease and usually respond more strongly to changes in climate conditions. The largest number of child illnesses abroad are based on gastroenteritis – a diagnosis that manifests through diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Another significant number of child diseases recorded in warm countries is comprised of tonsillitis, bronchitis and other respiratory tract infections. Often children going abroad are also faced with dermatitis and severe allergic reactions,” A. Taraitienė said.
According to Gjensidige data, over the first half of winter, 70% of all insurance events were recorded in Egypt, 10% in Thailand, 5% in Spain, 3% in Indonesia. The number of insurance events in the United Arab Emirates declined.
Gjensidige data shows that over the same period last winter, the average compensated medical expense and disease damages was at 402 euro. To compare, it has grown 71% in the first half of this winter, reaching 688 euro.
