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Concern Expressed Over Health Standards at the Holiday Village, Sarigerme, Turkey


WEBWIRE

The Holiday Village Hotel, in the resort of Sarigerme in Turkey, has been subject to scenes of sick and angry holidaymakers, during the last 2 weeks. Holidaymakers have expressed their concern at what they claim are poor hygiene conditions which has led to many been affected by sickness and holiday complaints.

Historical Information:

HolidayTravelWatch is aware of this hotel complex, not just this holiday season, but since 2006. At that time, this complex was known as the Hotel Pegasos Palace and the Pegasos Tropical Resort.

We first raised the concerns of holidaymakers through our ’Call to Arms’ feature. The first was published on the 7/6/06, highlighting the holiday complaints received for the 2005 holiday season, this related to both hotels. The second historical ’Call to Arms’ related to the Pegasos Palace only, and was published on 14/6/06, highlighting concerns for the 2006 holiday season.

This Organisation was very concerned at the high number of complaints that were received during the 2006 holiday season, that it issued 2 press releases in an attempt to bring sense to a difficult situation.

In our press release on 17/8/06, we highlighted a number of complaints, principally:

Flies on food;

Mosquito infestation;

Faecal element in the swimming pool;

Poor hygiene.

We also highlighted a growing concern of confirmed diagnoses of holidaymakers, drawing attention to diseases such as:

Salmonella;

Shigella Flex;

Entamoeba Histolylica.

At the time of this release, Frank Brehany, the Senior Consumer Advocate of HolidayTravelWatch stated:

“What kind of collective corporate thinking allows these conditions to prevail? When will this tour operator act - when someone dies?”

In the second press release of 2006 (dated 24/8/06), highlighting again the continued reports of poor hygiene, holidaymakers being taken to hospital and ear infections.

Frank Brehany stated:

“Clearly the hotelier or British Tour Operator are either ignoring the holidaymakers pleas and complaints, or they are just impotent as far as any action is concerned”.

He concluded at that time:

“It is thankful that they [travel consumers] have the Package Travel Regulations to protect their rights”.

The full text of the press releases can be viewed in the archive section of the PressCentre of HolidayTravelWatch.

In July/August 2007, we again heard of difficulties at this hotel complex, and again placed a ’Call to Arms’ on our website dated 21/8/07.

The Present Concerns:

HolidayTravelWatch has been made aware of the 2008 holiday season complaints for this complex. Since June 2008, we have received a large number of complaints, and this is represented by the holidaymakers ’Call to Arms’ for June, July, August & September. These can be viewed within the ’Call to Arms’ section.

The range of current complaints received can be summarised as follows:

“Arrived to find many people ill...snack bar smelt awful...rubbish was stored by the snack bar...saw workers holding noses and holding bags away...bags seeping...stored close to refills for water dispensers...water seals broken...scrambled egg like water...mosquitoes” (8229);

The Representative gave medication advices to the holidaymaker. The Doctor is alleged to have stated that the illness was due to too much drink, sun and food. “Requested flight home...many people complaining in reception...stool sample organised by resort representatives...provided sample at 11.30am, told to return for the result at 12 noon that same day...advised that the sample was clear but provided with medication to prevent infection...hotel pool with faecal element” (8260);

“Confirmed Salmonella” (8109);

“Smells near reception...mosquitoes...pool closed twice” (8284);

“Faeces on toilet seats...faeces in pool...pool emptied to add chemicals...flies everywhere...food stored openly in 40oC heat...sewage smells outside bar...people vomitting...failure to disinfect vomit area” (8204).

Frank Brehany adds,

“I cannot believe that after all this time, we are still dealing with the same range of complaints from this complex. What if anything has changed since 2006? We hear that resort representatives are claiming that less than 1% of those staying at this complex are ill. This would appear to be contradicted by the large numbers of families who are contacting us. Something is clearly wrong at this hotel”.

He continues:

"Not only am I concerned as to the range of illness and holiday complaints we have received, I am also concerned as to the now repeated claim by the tour operator representatives, that stool sample tests can be carried out within the hour! I have several questions:

How many stool sample tests have been carried out?

What exactly are holidaymakers being tested for?

Why are holidaymakers not being given the written confirmation of the nature and results of those tests?

Who is carrying out these tests?

What are their qualifications?

Why is medication being given to holidaymakers following a negative stool sample test?

What is the purpose of that medication?

What is happening to the body samples given by holidaymakers to the tour company?

Who has control of those samples?

Where are they stored?

What is the process for retrieval or destruction of those body samples; what processes does the tour company have in place to deal with this issue?

He concludes:

“I am very concerned as to the conditions alleged by holidaymakers, at this complex. This is further evidenced by the calls we have also been receiving of the excuses and denial of a problem, being given by the tour operator, to intending holidaymakers. Must someone die before they or the hotelier act? Must someone die before the Turkish Health Authorities wake up and deal with this serious issue? Now is the time for resolute action both by the tour operator, hotelier and the Turkish Health Authorities. Now is the time for holidaymakers to take action and join the many families who are seeking redress for what they see as the the failure of their holiday”.

Holidaymakers affected by any of these issues should contact HolidayTravelWatch for Free Advice & Assistance.



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