Travel assistance organisations had to respond en masse due to the hot weather last summer, according to figures from Europ Assistance and VAB on Friday.
The number of foreign technical cases handled by Europ Assistance rose by 25%. At VAB, the figures remained stable.
Europ Assistance handled an average of 2,750 calls per day. 2,738 of their calls last summer were medical in nature. As the temperatures went up, so did the statistics for medical cases. VAB also provided more assistance for health problems, recording a 7% increase. The need for medical assistance increased, particularly in the United States and Austria.
Europ Assistance rescued 2,738 people from medical emergencies. This number has increased by a remarkable 23%. These figures follow the growing trend of 2024, when the number had already risen by 16%.
France
It is striking that holidaymakers are increasingly dispersing globally, sometimes to engage in activities for which they are barely or insufficiently prepared. The persistent heat also led to a high number of gastrointestinal complaints and heart and respiratory problems.
When VAB had to travel abroad, it deployed to France half the time. This is also the leading location for Europ Assistance. Approximately 37% of calls originated there.
The technical problems were of all kinds: 70% of drivers were unable to continue their journey due to engine failure or starting difficulties, and 20% due to negligence. VAB was primarily dispatched for problems with tires and wheels.
VAB also saw a significant increase in the number of problems with electric vehicles (EVs). In total, there was a 34% increase in problems with EVs, although this number remains limited compared to other calls. The number of accidents for which VAB responded decreased by 11.6%.
