Holidaytravelwatch Warns Of Sick Summer For Holidaymakers

HolidayTravelWatch today warns holidaymakers, at the start of the 2007 season, to take care when travelling abroad, and guard against poor hotel hygiene standards. Since the beginning of 2007, the Organisation has received a constant flow of complaints from returning holidaymakers of poor standards and confirmed illnesses. The Organisation also notes that there are also a large number of returning holidaymakers, who for one reason or another, complain of illness but do not have a formal diagnosis.

The Organisation cites the following as examples of the complaints they have dealt with:

Menorca, September 2006, Poor water quality, Cryptosporidium (2 Children affected)

Kenya, November 2006, Water from dispenser, Monkeys roaming the restaurant and stealing food, Cholera

United Arab Emirates, November/December 2006,Food not served at the correct temperature, E-Coli

Gran Canaria, December 2006, Food added to existing food, food not at the correct temperature, restaurant dirty, Campylobacter

Kenya, December 2006 to January 2007, Food not at the correct temperature, food and restaurant plagued with flies and insects, Campylobacter

Spain, April 2007, Hotel with previous poor hygiene history, Campylobacter

Dominican Republic, April 2007, Birds in restaurant, fecal droppings on food, served water not sealed, Salmonella

Cruise, May 2007, Meat undercooked, eggs runny, Salmonella

Zante, May 2007, Water discoloured, beetles, flies, food not stored correctly, food not served at the correct temperature, runny eggs, Salmonella (2 year old girl suffering with prolapsed bowel)

Cuba, May/June 2007, Chicken/Pork undercooked, Guinea Pigs running freely around bar/restaurant, Salmonella

HolidayTravelWatch is already aware that some of the aforementioned complaints reflect those found within a group. They are also aware that many holidaymakers put their illnesses down to a change in the temperature or food. This is not helped by resort staff who apparently refer to an illness a holidaymaker may suffer with, as Beavers Fever, Montezuma’s Revenge or Pharaohs Revenge. It is the view of HolidayTravelWatch that such comments lend themselves to making a ‘joke’ of the holidaymaker’s complaint, whilst at the same time ignoring the real cause of their concern, poor hygiene. The Organisation has discovered that in some cases, holidaymakers are being referred to the tour operator’s solicitor, who utilises the full six month investigation period allowed, only to advise that there is no basis for their complaints. This advice is offered presumably independently, as it appears that no reference is made to the holidaymaker to seek independent advices on their complaint.

Frank Brehany, the MD for HolidayTravelWatch states,

“It is concerning that we are receiving so many consistent reports of confirmed illness. If tour operators believe that they are promoting a better health and hygiene process, then it would appear to be failing. I am worried that we shall continue to receive further illness reports, many involving children and the elderly, throughout the 2007 season”

He advises, “I would ask all holidaymakers to be vigilant with regard to the hygiene in their hotels. If they become ill, then they should seek medical assistance, if necessary from their own GP by telephone. They should make complaints directly to the tour representative, and if necessary purchase a writing pad to list them for their attention. Above all, take photographs and videos, and make sure that you have the contact details of your fellow holidaymakers. When you return to the UK, make sure that you do not offer or agree to give your medical notes and records to the tour operator, or to correspond with their solicitor, without seeking advice first!”

He concludes, “We were supposed to have witnessed great advances in the field of holiday hygiene; what we are seeing today, is a failure in standards, precipitated perhaps by the advent of the so called DIY holiday?”

All holidaymakers affected by any of these issues should call the National Helpline 01217478100 or make contact through the Organisation’s website –

www.holidaytravelwatch.com

Contact Information

Frank Brehany

Managing Director

HolidayTravelWatch

Contact via E-mail