Food poisoning claims 'threatening all-inclusive breaks'

22 June 2017 08:25

Travellers have been warned about making bogus food poisoning claims

Travellers have been warned about making bogus food poisoning claims

Britons have been warned that they could be banned from all-inclusive holidays unless they stop making bogus food poisoning claims.

Some tour operators have reported a large rise in claims regarding holiday sickness, even though reported sickness levels have remained largely stable. In fact, it is thought that tens of thousands of UK holidaymakers have made claims over the past 12 months.

Compared to previous years, Tui has indicated that around 15 times the amount of illness claims have been seen since the spring of 2016. Claims can typically amount to around £3,000 to £5,000.

Potential risks

Tui's UK managing director, Nick Longman, told the Press Association that all-inclusive holidays could become a thing of the past for UK customers, if bogus claims continue.

He said: "There's a distinct risk that if this carries on as it is unabated, the hoteliers will say to us either 'We don't want to work with the British market at all' or 'We're not going to offer you all-inclusive'.

"I think that would be a terrible thing for the British customer. It's just going to reduce the choice in terms of destinations and the type of holiday."

Elsewhere, Thomas Cook's UK managing director, Chris Mottershead, also said all-inclusive trips could be in jeopardy.

He commented: " It's a very serious situation because it has the effect of stopping all-inclusive holidays for the UK market. It has the potential of putting hoteliers out of business. They will stop British customers coming into their hotels."

Holiday options

Many Britons have opted for all-inclusive breaks in recent years in order to guarantee the costs they will pay while abroad. The drop in the pound against the single currency and the US dollar since the EU referendum vote may also have tempted some people to consider these breaks.

The type of break people opt for is just one thing they need to consider when booking an overseas holiday. Travel insurance, flights and rental cars are also things that they need to look into.

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