I was in London last week discussing amongst other things, the future Consumer Objective and Regulation of the Airline Industry in the UK.  During that meeting, I discussed with one member of the stakeholder group, the issue of safety and in particular, the growing awareness surrounding the Aerotoxic or Sick Aircraft Syndrome issue.  I expressed the view that whatever the current enquiry commissioned by Parliament, this issue is real and will not go away.  I predicted that whilst some ‘interested parties’ are engaged in ‘naysayer’ activities on this subject, the next 3 to 5 years will see the growth of groups of airline passengers taking action because of their exposure to toxic fumes!  As if to underline this point, today’s news surrounding the emergency landing of a British airline jet, is surely a timely warning to the industry and the authorities! Read More

Since the latter part of 2009 we have all watched with interest and sorrow whilst the toll of economic collapse takes place around us.  The events surrounding the fall of the latest travel company, Globespan, provides an interesting window into the workings of travel companies, so-called ‘regulation’ and the plight of the holiday consumer and their complaints. Read More

If this summer holiday season has taught nothing else, it is that there are many holidaymakers returning with complaints of illness and are simply not getting themselves checked out by their GP or local Environmental Health Officer.  Why is this important? Quite simple really – QED – Quick and Early Diagnosis!  Consider this: at a recent conference I attended, one speaker advised that of all holiday sickness or illness reports, some 40% go on to suffer a permanent condition or disability!  So much for the ‘Spanish Tummy’, ‘Turkey Trots’ or Pharoahs Revenge’ Brigade! Read More

I have come across an excellent journalistic piece from Jonathan Rugman from Channel 4, highlighting the problems with Child Sex Tourism in Kenya.  If you are intending to visit Kenya I would urge you to watch it!  If you follow this link, you should be able to view it.  What was interesting however, was the Minister for Tourism’s comments on this very important news report, he apparently stated: Read More

At this time there are many sick, angry and in some cases very frightened holidaymakers, having experienced the worst of a Traditional Package or so-called DIY Package Holiday.  The dignity in the face of such adversity, displayed by holidaymakers suffering with holiday illness, complaints or claims is to be acknowledged and applauded.  This past 3 weeks, our helpline has been inundated with calls for assistance and it is within those stories that we have noted the ‘whispering comments’ about the work of this Organisation.  I would encourage all reading this blog to read our latest posts (Sunday 27/9/09) on Twitter (these can be found @HTWFrank).  The posts highlight the experience of one family suffering with sickness whilst holidaying in Turkey.  Hospitalisation, children confined to their bedroom and the need for baby supplies brought a lack of compassionate response from the tour company’s representatives.  In highlighting this story I have commented upon the issue of mutual respect, not just for the holidaymaker, but also for this Organisation.  There is a need to abandon 20th Century thinking and I hope that the Travel Industry will rise to the challenge(s) that I have set them within the Twitter discussion area! Read More

Just when you thought that it could not get any worse, we hear that within one hotel in Turkey, the staff have a unique way to announce faecal accidents within swimming pools!  We are told by holidaymakers that pools are closed on a daily basis, due to the fact that holidaymakers suffer an ‘accident’ whilst they are in the pool.  When the ‘accident’ is discovered, the ‘entertainment crew’ make an announcement over the tannoy of ‘Code Brown, Code Brown’ – the pool in question is then temporarily closed (there are varying reports as to how long the pool is usually closed and as to what kind of treatment of the water is provided) whilst the offending article is removed!  Read More

Those of us working within the Travel Industry (there are those who think that HolidayTravelWatch is not part of the Industry – oh well!) have since 2005, commented on the growth of the so-called DIY or Dynamically Packaged Holiday and the threat to Consumer Rights.  For our part, we have illustrated very clearly to the UK Government and the EU Commission the real detriment being suffered, not just by British Holidaymakers, but also by other EU Citizens!  For the last 2 years the EU Commission has been building up a body of information through consultations and surveys and it was expected that from this autumn through to the spring 2010, they would announce their proposals for a revised Package Travel Directive. Read More