Travel expert Simon Calder has shared crucial package holiday advice, urging holidaymakers to act immediately, amid new research by Citizens Advice
Travel expert Simon Calder has issued crucial guidance for anyone with a package holiday arranged, as people are being encouraged to take action ‘as soon as possible’. His warning arrives ahead of the busy travel period, and as fresh research by Citizens Advice has shown that four million people have encountered problems with their package holiday over the past year.
On today’s (June 8) episode of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, presenter Kate Garraway discussed the findings with correspondent Nick Dixon, reports the Mirror. He explained: “The complaints that we’ve been hearing about were involving all-inclusive holidays, with many saying they just didn’t ultimately match up to the glossy brochures we see online, or indeed at the travel agents.
“Citizens Advice say that they found 33% of holiday-related complaints ultimately were about things like poor quality hotels, bad food, facilities being unavailable as well – 19% down to customer service.” He continued: “Things like long waits on the phone, complaints ignored and administration errors, and 25% of complaints ultimately led to stress, anxiety or upset.
“And if your dream holiday does turn into a wee bit of a nightmare, there are steps you can take… Many of us with these kinds of complaints about our holidays end up trying to fight for compensation, which is why it is so important to keep a record of everything just in case to have any chance of getting money back.”
British travel journalist and broadcaster Simon Calder then addressed viewers, delivering an important message for those on a package holiday, particularly if they experience difficulties during their break. He encouraged holidaymakers to take action ‘immediately’.
He stated: “If you get to your destination and things aren’t right, maybe there’s a problem with your room, maybe the facilities are simply not as described, then you have to give the travel company immediate notice and allow them the opportunity to sort things out.”
How can I claim compensation for a holiday?
Flagging up a problem straight away is a legal principle known as “mitigating your losses”. If you don’t give the travel provider a chance to resolve the room or facility concern while you’re there, you could significantly reduce your chances of securing a full refund or compensation.
Citizens Advice states: “If you’re still on holiday, tell the company or travel agent about the problem as soon as possible. You might be able to get it sorted quicker – like if there’s a problem with the room. If you don’t say anything until you get home, you might get less compensation or none at all.”
Who you need to contact varies depending on how you organised your holiday. If you opted for a package holiday, get in touch with the customer service team of the tour operator you selected. However, if you arranged it independently or established a linked travel arrangement, you should contact the accommodation or service provider directly, such as the hotel or the tour operator. Ensure you include:
- your booking reference
- clear details of what went wrong
- copies any evidence you have – like photos
- copies of receipts
- how much compensation you want
Citizens Advice adds: “It’s a good idea to send the letter by registered post and keep a copy, so you have proof that the holiday company received it. You can also email them – some of them have online forms. Keep a copy of what you send. If the company makes you an offer that you think is too low, you can ask for more. They might come back to you with a higher offer.”
If you made a reservation with a company that belongs to a trade association like the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), you could potentially file a complaint with them. Make sure to verify whether the company you booked with is an ABTA member. If they aren’t a member, you won’t be able to lodge a complaint with ABTA.
