Merseyside Family Suffer “Holiday from Hell” after Gastric Illness
26/11/2010
A travel law solicitor has called on tour operators to urgently improve health and hygiene standards after a Merseyside family endured “the holiday from hell” after suffering from gastric illness symptoms.
Marguerite Stewart from the Wirral, Merseyside, travelled to the Club Amigo Atlantico in Cuba with partner Tyrone Czwewinski and daughter Jessica Stewart in August 2010.
Shortly after their arrival at the resort, all three of the family began to experience gastric symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, headaches and lethargy. Whilst in resort, Ms Stewart was given painkillers by a nurse, who informed her that a doctor was not available in the resort.
The family reported that throughout the holiday they witnessed flies around the food and various animals in and around the dining area. Ms Stewart also reported that hot plates for food were not switched on, food was being served lukewarm and that new food was being added to existing food. Concerns were also raised over the state of the hotel’s pool area.
The family continued to suffer from symptoms after their return to the UK, and Marguerite is now waiting for test results to confirm the details of her illness. Since their return, reports have suggested that the hotel has recently been inspected by Cuban health authorities.
Ms Stewart has since approached travel law solicitors from Irwin Mitchell to support her gastric illness compensation claim against the family’s tour operator, Thomas Cook.
“The swimming pool area was dirty and we even spotted faeces in the water, and I did not notice any regular cleaning of pool,” she added.
“We were looking forward to a holiday together but felt let down and disappointed at the standard of the hotel. We have come back different people as a result of the illness we continue to suffer from. It was a holiday from hell.”
Amandeep Dhillon a travel law expert at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors said: “It is vital that the basic health and hygiene standards, in place to protect holidaymakers, are enforced correctly and adhered to. Tour operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of their customers and must take reasonable steps to do so. If they can’t guarantee safety at hotels they shouldn’t send their customers there.
“It goes without saying that families should be able to enjoy their holiday free from concerns about health issues that are completely avoidable. Unfortunately, this was not the case with the Club Amigo Atlantico in Cuba and this holiday has been far from the relaxing experience they thought they had booked.”
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