HolidayTravelWatch continues to receive many complaints from holidaymakers concerning their experiences.  Such complaints can range from holiday company collapses, airline flight delays or cancellations, bullying of holidaymakers who make complaints, serious gastric illness, confirmed illnesses such as Salmonella, Cryptosporidium or Shigella.  We also hear from holidaymakers who report poor standards in hotel accommodation, poor hygiene practices – such as birds eating food, flies on food or sewage smells.  Many complaints are simply met with indifference by hotel staff or tour company representatives, which causes further angst amongst holidaymakers, particularly when they have often paid many thousands of pounds for the privilege of suffering this abuse in their contract! Read More

Since the beginning of 2009, HolidayTravelWatch has received complaints from a number of holidaymakers returning from Egypt.  Many report that they are suffering with serious illnesses and we have noted that we have entered sixteen (16) such hotels/river boats onto our ‘Call to Arms’ feature, which helps holidaymakers find others who have had similar experiences to themselves.  Indeed, in 2008, so concerned were we, we asked the question, ‘Is Egypt the new Dominican Republic for Holiday Illness?’  Are the same issues relevant in 2009? Read More

Serious concerns are again being raised by HolidayTravelWatch over the health & safety standards at The Holiday Village, in Sarigerme, Turkey.  Since May this year, the Organisation has received complaints from British holidaymakers concerning the standards and illnesses they have suffered at this hotel. Read More

During this summer season we have witnessed reports of various flight safety deficits, the most recent of which are several incidents reported by the BBC, and of course, the Spanish aircraft disaster.  I sincerely offer my deepest sympathies, and the respect of HolidayTravelwatch to all those affected by the Madrid crash.  I hope that the cause of the crash, and that lessons will be learnt quickly to avoid a similar incident again. Read More

HolidayTravelWatch has reported previously on issues raised by parents on the management and operation of Kids Clubs. Occasionally we receive reports from parents of poor equipment or facilities, sometimes leading to minor injuries. In the same way that parents should be concerned about how a Kids Club is operated, they should assess the risk, by reference to the tour operators terms and conditions. They should also be mindful of the condition of the facilities in which they intend to place their children in. Read More

HolidayTravelWatch today launches a campaign to ‘Whistleblow for Safety’. Read More

Remember to always check if there is a lifeguard and a flag warning system in place. If so, make sure that you know what the flags mean, especially those that may tell you when and where it is dangerous to swim.  An example of the meaning of beach flags is found on the RNLI website – remember, these flags apply to the coastal waters around Britain and may not be replicated elsewhere – the simple rule is, if in doubt, speak to the the local coast lifeguards! Read More