The Cure for Holiday Illness and Complaints? Bring in the Heavies! II
Tonight a young couple are sitting in their hotel room, frightened to go out, scared for their own personal safety. Why? They saved hard for a holiday to what they thought was an exotic and luxurious location, only to be faced with many contractual failings in the hotel they were staying in. Like most holidaymakers, they decided not just to complain, but to try and put right what has gone wrong within their holiday contract. They also started to accumulate evidence by taking photographs and taking notes, speaking to other holidaymakers, all with the view of using the Package Travel Directive to resolve their claim when they returned home. So tell me, what was wrong with that?
Like most holidaymakers, they took care of their possessions, and placed their valuables into their room safe. Imagine their horror when they returned to their room and discovered that their room had been broken into, and the camera, containing over 100 evidential photographs was gone! It was clear on speaking to this couple, that the room had been entered by a duplicate key, and a key was used to open the so-called ‘digital’ safe (where the camera was kept). Other more valuable items were not stolen. Sounds like an organised crime to me!
What was the reaction of the tour operator and their agent? Rejection of their complaints; refusal to help them with any report to the police, disinformation as to how the Police would deal with them (suggesting that they would have to remain within the country for longer than scheduled), refusing to acknowledge their complaints, being followed, and having to ‘enjoy’ the presence of security outside their room.
As if this is not enough, they are also sick!
Gut instinct, and further advices from HolidayTravelWatch, has seen this couple receive assistance from their respective Embassies! Thank goodness someone local is listening to them!
I suspect that if the population of this unique country were aware of how their countrymen treat their guests, the perpetrators may suddenly find themselves on the receiving end of their own medicine!
So please don’t tell me that holidaymakers are not harrassed or subjected to criminal acts when they make complaints, instead, spare a thought tonight for this innocent and genuine couple!
HTW has noted that amongst the submissions to the Committee on Toxicity (COT) it has been suggested that the symptoms highlighted by crew and passengers were akin to the condition of hyperventilation.
HTW has for many years received reports from concerned holiday makers or independent travellers as to the safety of their aircraft, ship or boat, train or road transport.
