Norovirus is one of the ‘mantra’s’ used by the Travel Industry when illness breaks out in holiday hotels or cruise ships.  HolidayTravelWatch notes that many holidaymakers are confused by such statements – the simple rule is DO NOT accept such bland statements, only proper medical diagnosis can confirm such an illness – always ensure you get independent medical advices, if possible, contact your GP in the UK!  Read More

Holiday TravelWatch is proud to be associated as a Partner with the initiative created by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Travellers should supplement advices provided by HolidayTravelWatch with the advices of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Subscribe to the travel warnings contained on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for the country you intend to visit – you will receive regular updates with useful travel safety information.  Cross reference this information with website searches (ie via Google) or National or Local Newspapers for your destination, hotel, cruise ship, airline etc.  Question your Tour Operator if you are in doubt about any information you have received.  When you have accummulated all ‘destination’ information, you are then able to make an informed decision about travel to your intended holiday destination. Read More

No one expects to travel into trouble! The simple advice is to anticipate holiday problems and prepare for any difficulties before you go – develop your own personal and family strategies!  We would suggest that you consider the following advices: Read More

Holiday Brochures now come in a variety of forms. This is due to the changing methods of how holidays or travel is sold.  If you use a traditional brochure or an internet site to make your booking, make sure that you examine its contents carefully. It is recommended that when booking a holiday or making your own travel arrangements, that you refer to more than one brochure to try and obtain a more ‘global’ picture of the country, resort or hotel you intend to travel to.  Do not book the holiday until you are satisfied that all questions have been answered. If you are not happy with the description then you should ask your travel agent or provider if you can see the ‘Gazetteer’ (this can be available within a travel agency, however this has now essentially moved to an online version only available upon subscription – the link to this article explains in detail the structure of such ‘Gazetteers’). Read More

It is essential that when you are making your travel arrangements that you book with an agent, operator or arranger who carries membership of one of the following organisations. By placing your booking with such a member, you may be ‘buying’ extra consumer protection through their bonding arrangements (if they exist), should an element of your travel fail.  You may be able to benefit from the additional facilities of a complaints process should that agent, operator or arranger fail to deliver timely responses to your complaint. In certain circumstances you can invoke an arbitration process to settle your dispute. Below are brief summaries for each of the organisations along with an appropriate link for further information. Read More

Many holidaymakers use public transport or hire vehicles when they are on holiday or are engaged on business abroad.  This brief guide tells you what you should be looking for when making those arrangements: Read More

Before you go on holiday make sure that you read the brochure and check the facts relating to health requirements and vaccinations!  Remember, travel agents and tour operators are not professionally qualified to give advice!  Always seek travel health advice from your GP who will normally check with the World Health Organisation advices.  Advice can be obtained from M.A.S.T.A. (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad), or from the Travel Clinic at the London Hospital for Tropical Diseases.  Practical health advices include: Read More