British Airways passengers ready for a crash landing?

Have you got a few Airmiles and you're not quite sure how to spend them? How about a class on how to survive a plane crash?

British Airways have announced that they are to offer 4 hour classes to teach important skills you might need to call upon in the event of a plane crash. If you're a member of the British Airways Executive Club, then you're welcome to join. It's unlikely that you will ever get to put your new found skills into practice (see our article on the safest airlines), but perhaps it will earn you a no claims bonus on your travel insurance?

Apparently, the course aims to teach people techniques that will help increase their chances of surviving an air disaster, and it covers topics such as how to release a seat belt and locating the life jacket on a plane. It's not clear if there is any guidance on what to do once you're marooned on a desert island following the air accident?

I suspect the biggest appeal to people will be the opportunity to use the escape slide, without the stress and anxiety of having to following an accident. I can't quite work out whether the course would make people more or less likely to make a holiday compensation claim, but let's be honest, unless you are really stuck for a birthday gift; is anyone going to go on the course?

For more information you can visit the website!

The Great TUI Package Price Hike

Considering a break out from the stay-cation cycle next year? You may have to think again. Whilst the average family continues to feel the pinch, the owners of Thomson and First Choice Holidays, TUI UK, have recently announced its package holiday prices would rise more than 5% in 2012 – on top of a 3% increase this year.

How much more will I have to pay?
In real terms, the inflation busting rise will add roughly £27 per person, or £110 for two adults and two children on any summer package holiday with Thomson and First Choice Holidays. Whilst the cost of living continues to rise, TUI’s profits continue to show strong growth, increasing to £470million this financial year.

These record profits come despite a slight overall reduction in the number of British Holiday Makers booking a TUI package over the summer just passed. Even with this drop, it appears the appetite of the British holiday maker for using TUI’s service is still fairly strong, with over 5 million people choosing a TUI holiday last year. That’s just under one in twelve in the entire country. So, chances are if you asked all the families down your street who they booked their last holiday through, there is a good chance the names of Thomson or First Choice will crop up.

Rising in Profits = Rise in Compensation?
With the coffers of TUI’s bosses being filled to bust, will those who have had their holiday blighted by and bring a holiday compensation claim receive more compensation? Most of us know someone who has had an accident on holiday, be it a minor graze from a slip, or something with far more serious consequences.

It may be naïve to suggest that TUI, and other similar package providers, will be quick to further open their hearts, and their wallets, at the news that profits continue to rise. However, with the sheer number of accidents abroad occurring on TUI’s watch, the package providers may be well served in boosting the compensation kitty available to its customers.

Greater compensation, and greater transparency in their awards of compensation for holiday makers, would probably benefit all parties in the long run. With improved levels of compensation, the goodwill towards the package provider would slowly filter through the public; this would inevitably drive more people to the package provider who protects its customers. This is not rocket science, nor any ground breaking business plan; just simple consumer protection which benefits everyone.
It is no secret that the past 3 years have been tough going for the British consumer; if the traders and fiscal analysts are to be believed, it seems that times are going to get worse before they get better. With prices on the rise, British holiday-maker will want, and deserve, a greater sense of security that, if the worst does happen, the package provider will dip a little deeper into their rather sizeable pockets than they do now.

For more information you can visit the website!

Ryanair in €15 million victory

Ryanair and Michael O'Leary court publicity where they can. Most of the time, they don't care if it's good or bad news. This time round it was good news for them because Ryanair has won its appeal against a Spanish court ruling that declared a 40 euro fee for issuing boarding passes at airport check-in illegal. It is estimated they earn upwards of 15 million euro each year from the charge. The issue was heard recently  by the Barcelona appeal court who ruled the penalty fee lawful. They overturned the finding of a Barcelona commercial court in January which had declared airlines were obliged to issue boarding cards. Ryanair welcomed the ruling, a spokesman saying: “This ruling removes any confusion in Spain about the lawful nature of our boarding pass reissue penalty. We understand it cannot be appealed.” He added: “This is the first of a number of bizarre lower court rulings in Barcelona which we expect will be overturned. We urge all Ryanair passengers to ensure they check in online prior to arriving at their airport.” When you fail to check in online and print your own boarding pass, there is a penalty  of 40 euros. One lawyer who took exception to this practice took Ryanair to court and the charge was ruled as unlawful. Ryanair appealed on the grounds that passengers agree when they book to check-in online and print their own boarding card. Its lawyers argued passengers failing to do so had breached that agreement and were not entitled to fly. Ryanair charges a 6 euro or £6 fee for online check in. The airline said less than 1% of passengers pay the boarding card penalty “which applies only where passengers fail to comply with their agreement that they will check in online”. However, it carried 76.8 million passengers in the 12 months to September, meaning if just 0.5% of passengers pay the fee it brings Ryanair in excess of 15 million euros a year in “penalty fees”. Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary is never one to miss an opportunity to keep the airline in the news. He admitted that his latest scheme to drive down costs and increase revenue was to reduce the number of toilets on new aircraft from 3 to 1. Now if that's not going to be the cause of an accident abroad I'm not sure what is??

For more information you can visit the website!

Cruise Blog - Cruise Liners: what are the dangers?

Unless you have been living on Mars for the past 3 weeks, you would have undoubtedly read or watched hours of news reporting on the tragedy of the Costa Concordia. We’ve certainly all seen the image – the ginormous cruise liner perched on its side on the Italian coastline. As with all forms of mass transport, the only time people ever really take notice is when an accident occurs, but what are the dangers of going on a cruise and on cruise liners? What are the real dangers of a cruise? In reality, incidents such as those seen recently are extremely rare. Often, the main reason a cruise can be ruined is an outbreak of Norovirus. The winter vomiting bug is a highly contagious, and is spread from person to person via the air. In the densely populated arena of the cruise ship, Norovirus can spread from cabin to cabin before you have time to reach for the toilet roll. Without the proper action by cabin staff, you can quickly find your holiday ruined due to the illness. Battling the bug - Norovirus on a cruise ship The winter vomiting bug is often viewed as being so common in its occurrence, that it is a simple part of life, such as catching a cold. However, the effects of Norovirus on a Cruise Ship can often be far more devastating. If the staff on board are doing their job, you will find yourself cooped up in your cabin, quarantined from others, a prisoner on your own holiday. All of a sudden, your holiday is ruined. There are an increasing number of claims arising from passengers who contracted an illness whilst abroad. Is it fair that a Cruise Liner should pay compensation to those who became ill? Is it fair that your holiday can be completely ruined through no fault of your own, and then have no recourse to make a claim? It certainly is an interesting debate. As a passenger, you can only do so much to avoid the bug. However, even if you do wash your hands and carry disinfectant around with you wherever you roam, it really is the ship’s captain and crew who are crucial. If they haven’t quarantined those infected, if they haven’t ensured hands are washed, and if they haven’t warned all passenger that Norovirus is, or has, been on board, you may find yourself wanting compensation for your holiday. For more information about Accident abroad, visit the website!

2012: The Year of the Value Holiday?

According to new research of 5,000 British adults from online price comparison site TravelSupermarket, value for money is going to be the main priority this year when choosing their holiday in 2012. According to the holiday survey 96% state that they will be taking at least one holiday in 2012, up from the 91% who got away in 2011.

Holiday Survey for 2012

The TravelSupermarket holiday survey provides some interesting statistics for how people are planning to holiday in 2012:

• 42% of those surveyed said price was the number one consideration
• 32% said weather was number one consideration
• 26% said accommodation was the main consideration
• Holidaymakers plan to go away for longer, despite tighter holiday budgets
• Average holidaymaker intends on spending £642 on main 2012 holiday
• 19% say they'll rely on a credit card to afford 2012 break
• 46% say they will use savings to take a holiday
• Only 40% said they will be able to afford a holiday on disposable income
• Average Holiday money is expected to be £450 for a week (£47 per day)

Holiday Makers Spending Less in 2012

In 2011, the average British holiday makers spent an average of £829 each on flights and accommodation. In 2012, that average budget seems to average £642. Yet 51% of British holidaymakers still aim to have a main holiday abroad lasting over a week.

The research also found an increase in those intending to take self-catering and all-inclusive breaks - at 31 per cent and 12 per cent of main holidays in 2012 respectively. Both are tried and tested methods for keeping holiday costs under control and helping budget.

As Brits, we love a good bargain. In tough economic times, we look even harder for the best deal. People especially seem to want to travel to foreign shores to escape the difficult economic environment at home, I suspect they want a bit of guaranteed sun too!

Package Holidays vs Independent Holidays

Rather than trust to package holidays through high street travel agents, in recent years there has been a trend toward online bookings and independent holidays in an attempt to make savings. Customers are arranging flights and accommodation separately and, increasingly, directly from the source, rather than through a travel agent.

What does this mean for the quality of our holiday and what risks does that represent for the holidaymaker? Well, travel agents are obviously feeling the pinch in these economic times; people are more likely to go online and in to the store in search of a bargain. Package holidays have lost popularity as holiday makers look to book their own flights and accomodation from different holiday companies to get the best value. Recently though, the feeling we get is that the trend has been tempered a bit by the collapse of some holiday companies meaning that people opt for the more financially secure traditional package holiday.

There are many different ways of buying holidays and travel arrangements today, so it’s very important that you understand whether or not the money that you’ve paid for your holiday is safe if things go wrong. There are a number of different ways that you can get this protection, but not all travel arrangements are covered so you should always check. There’s no legal requirement that flights bought direct from an airline, or accommodation-only sales, are protected. There are two statutory schemes that exist to protect your money and to ensure that you’ll be brought home if your travel company goes out of business. These schemes apply to package holidays and to some flight-only arrangements more details of them can be found on the ABTA website.

Is it Worth Getting Travel Insurance?

We would always advise getting travel insurance. Policies can be obtained quite cheaply and help remove the worry of what might happen if things go wrong. Booking via a credit card can also provide some protection from your card issuer. We would also advise trying to do as much research into the place you are staying, and the local area, as possible. Try to find recent reviews of others who have stayed there and see what they thought.

Ultimately quality and price tend to go hand in hand. As the old saying goes “You get what you pay for” and so by looking for a bargain, especially in accommodation costs, you might not be happy with what you end up with. Let’s just hope you’re reading this for interest, rather than because you need our help!


For more information you can visit the website!

Illness onboard?

On the face of it, cruise liners are the height of luxury, the high-end of the holiday market, waking up in a new and glamourous location everyday and enjoying first class service everynight - but when you scratch beneath the surface what's actually there? Since the smoking ban many a struggling pub has re-invented into itself into what many term as Gastro pub. With fancy menus describing food with such spin that would make  Alistair Campbell proud. Once you are over the distraction of the fancy new décor with flowered wallpaper you realise that whatever Gallic flavour is given to describe food such as “sausage and mash” is it still just that. Often I feel the only difference is the price tag  and leave such re-vamped places wondering if the food was actually any better than it was in the previous albeit dingier place. I know for a fact that my wallet feels lighter when leaving, coupled with the thought I had paid double for the ambience of the new looking place but doubting I got better quality food? You might be thinking - what has this got to do with travel? Well, traditionally I consider cruising as the height of luxury. I have Cruised once so far going around the Caribbean and plan to cruise again some day because I loved it. Cruises are expensive holidays, albeit there is speculation price cuts in light of the recent tragedy on the Costa Concordia are to come.  My experience albeit wonderful and positive was that it did not meet my expectation of the height of luxury. The cruise ship was indeed glitzy and the décor was magnificent and modern but on the other hand there was buffet style food available and fast food sections serving burgers and pizzas. More after a nightclub feel.  There was also a fine dining area and it was marketed that the alternatives I mentioned were for those who did not want to dress up. My colleagues and I  have represented many people that have contracted and suffered from illness on board cruise ships. We have had clients who have experienced the glamour and luxury of a cruise liner but had that enjoyment curtailed due to illness suffered whilst on board. Due to illness, which often gets labelledd as gastrooenteritis they might have spent most of their time inside their cabin room in the bathroom using up the medication they hoped they would never need. Cruise ships are large environments catering for a large number of guests and staff who all live and work on board. Virus and illness  can spread like wildfire. Cruise liner operators have an obligation to have preventive procedures in place as well plans of action when there is an outbreak. The operators don’t always get it right. When something as major as Ship sinking can occur you can easily see how the smaller things like for example food preparation and storage can be overlooked. Don't get me wrong, problems are very much the exception, but when they do occur, it's not always just one of those things. The moral of my ramblings is that paying more does not necessary you mean you get better quality of food but at least it looks nicer, well unless you are ill that is. For more information you can visit the website!

Does my bum look big in this?

Have you grown up like me hearing some parts of the media and society saying smokers and heavy drinkers  should pay more towards the NHS as they supposedly bring the system to it’s knees? The counter-argument being that the tax revenue generated from sales of tobacco and alcohol contributes well to the government purse. It looks like the airlines are putting one foot in the "fat tax" camp. We live in an age where obesity in adults as well as children is on the increase without much sign of improvement, especially as Western diets worsen in our 'fast food, do it yesterday' society. We live in a world where we need to be greener and protect our environment for the future generation.  The airlines need to show corporate and green responsibility. There is an onus on people to reduce their carbon footprint and one effort that people commonly take is to reduce their fuel consumption. This is probably the major outgoing for the airline industry. We have a social responsibility to be greener but does not extend to us being leaner? A recent comment I have read from a former Qantas group chief executive took me by some surprise.  In essence the comment was that people who weigh more should pay more to travel on aeroplanes (it sounds like something Michael O'Leary would say). Mr Webber commented “that the more a plane weighs the more fuel it must burn”.  I cannot disagree with that comment BUT should we extend this principle to society’s larger members of society and make them pay for their air ticket? If this were to occur would the smaller sections of society pay less for their ticket when they take their holiday abroad. I am parent and it annoys me that I have to pay full adult price for some forms of transport for my daughter who is under 3 and I would describe as light as a feather. My daughter is fan of the TV show Peppa Pig and I really wonder and debate if it would be fair for the Daddy pigs of this world to have to pay more for their airfare. I have spent many an hour at an airport watching people (in sheer boredom)  take their obviously overweight luggage to check in and feign surprise when the scales groan in panic and say “No”. This is then followed by the same people emptying parts of their suitcase in full public sight tipping contents into another persons’ suitcase or their hand luggage to avoid the surcharge.  Imagine a future where there are scales for people at airports. I can only imagine the industrious ways people will try to avoid the surcharge.  The check in assistant politely responds to excuses…. ” Mr Smith you claim you are 9 months pregnant? Are you sure you should be flying?" Society will have to evolve and decide if our quest to save the planet may be achieved by getting leaner or will the Airlines just get meaner and keep the extra money as profit. Travelling and going on holiday abroad  is an important part of our lives, but what is the ultimate cost and who should bear it? “” For more information you can visit the website!

 

Another Tragedy

Sadly, it won't have escaped your notice that there have been several high profile holiday accidents in the last year or so. The two latest ones, the Costa Concordia tragedy and the French coach crash have really highlighted a bad time for the travel industry. Of course, there have been different reasons for the accidents and I'm not suggesting that there is a one-stop solution that would have meant that these holiday accidents could have been prevented. So, is it just a very bad coincidence, or could more have been done to prevent these accidents abroad? French Coach Crash - Who's Possibly to Blame? The common theme to the accidents seems to be human error. Without wishing to pre-judge the outcome of any investigations, the evidence in the French coach crash points toward the driver falling asleep at the wheel. If that does turn out to be the cause, then questions will be asked of the Tour Company Interski to try and identify if there had been sufficient rest breaks etc planned. Perhaps more importantly, whether those breaks had been taken. For me, this particular case has stark similarities to the tragic accident in South Africa in which 3 students died in June 2010. I am still dealing with a compensation claim arising out of that particular incident and my understanding is that the authorities are yet to conclude their investigations. For that reason, the exact cause is unknown, but again driver error has been widely implicated. Holidaymaker Safety I really do hope that the latest tragedy will bring some very sharp focus on the safety of holidaymakers and travellers, because it simply has to be the main priority for the travel industry. The industry itself has gone through a very difficult time in the last few years, with Thomas Cook's shares collapsing like a broken sunlounger, the volcanic ash plume bringing most of Europe's flights to a halt and major tour operators going out of business, to name but a few. The industry really needs to keep going and keep positive. My view is that people still want to go on holiday and although the official figures show a slow down in foreign travel, it is only very small. I think people will become a bit more innovative about how they book their holidays and where they go and of course, they will be more cautious about spending money. That means that in theory there will be less money to be earned within the industry, but I really hope that means that the holiday companies don't cut corners with safety to bridge the financial gap. If the holiday companies do put profits first ahead of safety, it will inevitably lead to more holiday complaints and more holiday compensation claims. That would certainly not be a good thing for an industry that needs a bit of a boost anyway. For more information you can visit the website!

What's the Costa Cruising

It has been a seriously tough few weeks for the cruising industry and I have no doubt they will bounce back, but at the moment things are not looking good. They say that any publicity is good publicity. I suspect that Costa Cruises would be quite happy to stay out of the news for just a few days to let things settle down, but what is happening to the cruiseline industry? Is it a media witch hunt or serious failings by the cruise industry unused to this level of scrutiny   The failure of engines in the generator room of the Costa Allegra vessel means that the ship is stranded with no power apart from emergency generators, it seems the rescue mission will drag on for a few days so there is no prospect of this settling down soon. The engines apparently failed as a result of a fire in the engine room. It's not yet clear how this happened, but with approximately 1,000 people on board, I'm sure we will be able to find out quite soon. The one good thing for Costa is that the have not been any injuries or accidents on the cruise ship reported. Following the Costa Concordia tragedy the company were (quite rightly in my view) proactive and offered full refunds and to deal with compensation claims quickly. I understand they are dealing with those holiday compensation claims and there is a deal which up to 85% of those on board are likely to accept. The deal will involve a compensation payment of about £9,000 plus a refund of the cruise and other expenses. The latest problem comes amid various other bad news stories for the cruise industry. Just yesterday the Argentinian authorities refused entry to two cruise liners because they have sailed from the Falkland Islands. They were told that they were not entitled to dock for political reasons. I must admit, I find it difficult to understand how Carlos Tevez could have such an impact on things!! The most worrying thing for me is that the Costa Aleegra is stranded dangerously close to Somalian bandit territory. Up until now the pirates have targeted smaller vessels, but there is nothing to say they won't look at this as a prize asset? The rescue operation is likely to be slow because they need to tow the vessel to the nearest island which has one hotel and then evacuate them to Mahe from where they can make a proper escape. It will be interesting to see how Costa deal with this problem and whether they can afford to refund another 600 passengers and also give them holiday compensation. I hope they do because from having spoken to many consumers over the years they just want to be treated fairly and if their holiday company hasn't been able to provide the holiday it promised, they expect to get compensated, or a refund at the very least. Let's hope that we don't see any more cruise liners in the news for the next few months because that would be a sign that things are operating the way they should. After all, the majority of people do have a great time.. For more information you can visit the website!

Ryanair just won't stand for it!

I just love Ryanair. Partly because they court publicity with some of the most ridiculous ideas, but mainly because whatever people say about them, they're a very successful business. In fact, I struggle to think of another business with such a high profile that people badmouth and but continue to use.
It is being reported that the latest little gem from Ryanair is their supposed application for a standing room only section in their aircraft.

I assume that the passengers who were only allowed to stand would be stood at the back next to the "pay as you poo" toilets.
Apparently Ryainar went as far as making an application to one of the regulators for a test flight of an aircraft with a standing room section. Under the scheme, a Boeing 737-800 would be fitted out with 15 rows of seats and 10 rows of standing berths.
Michael O'Leary, the budget airline's chief executive, said: "We have asked the question could we run some trials on this and the immediate response is somewhat negative."

Taking a Stand

Reports suggest that the aircraft would be fitted with a similar layout to London underground trains where they have a ball and straps for people to hold onto.
He has even gone as far as setting out the pricing structure. The Ryanair boss said seated passengers would be charged £25 per ticket with standing customers paying between £1 and £5 for their fares on a flight that would take the average capacity of a flight from 189 passengers to 230.
Speaking at a press conference in London, O'Leary said he was undeterred by the knockback from the unnamed regulator, although he declined to comment on whether Ryanair had approached the US Federal Aviation Administration or the European Aviation Safety Agency. "I think ultimately it would happen," said O'Leary.

Upstanding Airline: an accident waiting to happen

I've got to say, that not for the first time, I disagree with O'Leary. I think the chances of this happening are slim. At the moment, the relevant law around accidents that happen in the air, or as you're embarking or disembarking is the Montreal Convention. It is quite a unique piece of legislation because it provides strict liability. That means that if an an aircraft accident happens, it's automatically the fault of the airline. There are a few exceptions to this law, but that is generally how it works.

If it did happen as O'Leary is planning, I think it would be quite good for my business because I have no doubt there would be more holiday accident claims, but not very good for the consumer who has to claim for holiday compensation rather than enjoy their holiday.
Whatever happens, O'Leary will continue to be good entertainment and I suspect people will still love to hate Ryanair, but also continue to help drive up their profits too!

For more information you can visit the website!

Cruising for a Bruising

Yes a cruise for many holiday makers is the pinnacle of travelling… not for the customers of Silversea cruises though. I have just been reading recent reports that one of its luxury cruise liners called the Silver Shadow collided with a cargo ship just off the coast of Vietnam.

Ahhh the thought of going on a cruise…for many holidaymakers it’s the pinnacle of travelling. After all, it involves many care free days aboard a luxury cruise liner, more food than you can ever imagine, magnificent views, brilliant on-board entertainment and of course the lure of getting to sample the culture of many different countries. Although if you don't want to, you don't even have to get off the ship to be entertained - some ships are so big, you may struggle to find a way off anyway!

Cruise Accident a 'minor incident'

The company confirmed in a statement that the 382-passenger Silver Shadow collided with a local container ship on Friday morning as it was approaching Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. However, what I found most amusing about this rather worrying incident is that Silversea dismissed the collision as a "minor incident."
A minor incident? I’m sure the passengers on the cruise liner didn't think there was anything “minor” about the incident when they saw the cruise ship they were travelling on headed straight towards a cargo ship! This wasn't an accident of Titanic proportions, but still it cannot have been very reassuring or pleasant to be on board a cruise ship that crashes into another huge vessel - especially considering the recent incidents surround ocean liners.

Majority of cruise complaints illness related

I’m happy to say that luckily no passengers were injured and the ship, which suffered only "minor dents", according to Silversea, continued to Ha Long Bay and then on to Hong Kong, as per the itinerary.
I’d love to say that this incident is a one off and problems with cruise ships are few and far between. I'm glad to report that only a very small proportion relate to collisions or accidents, but we do have a lot of people contact us to help them make a holiday compensation claim as a result of problems they have had whilst cruising. The majority of the holiday claims relate to food poisoning or illness. Being ill is bad enough, but if it ruins the holiday that you had been saving for and looking forward to for months on end, then you will probably want to try and claim compensation.

Problems on cruise ships

More often than not the holiday complaints revolve around outbreaks of severe sickness and diarrhoea. These are sometimes attributable to norovirus, but often it's not possible to determine what the cause has been and it can sometimes be easier for a cruise company to claim an outbreak on board is norovirus because it's easier for them to avoid liability (more details oi a later post).
So next time you decide to book your cruise and holiday of a lifetime, our advice to you is that you may want to check websites such as Holiday Travel Watch and Trip Advisorfor advice and reports of any pre existing problems with any cruise liners. You might find it may just save your life!


For more information or you want to know more about us, visit the website!

Thomas Cook - King of the Tour Operators?

Travel agent and tour operator Thomas Cook has recently been named a UK “Superbrand” and for the 5th year in a row beat its competitors in being recognised as the number 1 travel agent/tour operator in the UK. This of course is the opinion of the “Superbrands” commission; if you were to talk with me or some of my colleagues here at accidents-abroad.com you may just get a different opinion!

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland currently takes passengers to a variety of destinations, from far-flung countries like the Dominican Republic and the USA, to those a little closer to home, offering budget deals like Portugal package holidays and Greek getaways. It is currently the second largest leisure travel group in the UK and boasts travel brands, including Airtours, Club 18-30, Cruise Thomas Cook, Direct Holidays and Neilson.
So how did the Superbrands commission rate the tour operators? In their list of 500 Superbrands (of which Rolex was number 1) Thomas Cook was placed at 101.

UK TOUR OPERATOR SUPERBRAND RANKINGS  101 – Thomas Cook
208 – Thomson Holidays
332 – Virgin Holidays
478 – Kuoni
I did start reading about how the list was compiled, but to be honest, I got a bit bored. I couldn't stop thinking about the number of holiday compensation claims we get from unhappy Thomas Cook customers and the complaints. If the researchers had spoken with me or my colleagues, or one of the many disgruntled clients whose compensation claim we're pursuing they might not have fared so well.



The reason being that we have many cases every year against this “Superbrand” Tour operator whereby guests come back off their summer holidays complaining of food poisoning, sickness, diarrhoea and vomiting.  We constantly deal with angry consumers who come back from holiday complaining to this “Superbrand” tour operator about the holiday from hell they've been sent on and had to endure. In the interests of fairness, I should say that they're not the only travel company who feature very high up on our list "Superbrands" but for a very different reason.
I am disappointed that no travel firm made it into the top 100, but I did have to smile when I realised that Thomas Cook were ranked at 101, which is the room where I'm sure many of our clients would want to put them!

For more information or you want to know more about us, visit the website!

Groundhol day

Recent research by RCI shows that 65% of Brits have returned to the same holiday destination on at least one further occasion. To me, that's a really high proportion of people who want to go back and do the same things they did before. However, I can see the logic behind this thinking if you consider the reasons people gave for their return to holiday paradise.

The reasons they gave were:
- 45% of those surveyed simply had a good time, so they went back to have the same holiday

- 29% said the holiday met all their criteria - why change?

- 27% didn't see a need to go elsewhere if they had already found somewhere they liked

- 14% liked familiarity

- 12% said they find it less stressful knowing exactly what to expect where they are going. After all, going on holiday can be quite sressful.

Apparently, 36% of respondents are now taking fewer holidays than normal. This one isn't a surprise bearing in mind the squeeze we are suffering at the moment.
The poll of 1,000 people taken in February 2012 seems to have discovered that Brits are quite comfortable in their holiday habits. Perhaps all they want is sun? After all, we've just had one of the warmest March months on record and as I write, the north of England is now covered in snow. It's quite unpredictable in the UK, so why not go to a great holiday destination with almost guaranteed sun?
I suppose the main surprise for me about people wanting to return to a holiday destination is because most of the time I spend discussing holidays with people, they manage to cram in the phrase "holiday from hell" into the first sentence. Whilst I'm not very keen on the phrase, it does often suit the descriptions I get from holiday makers who are (rightly) complaining about the state of the resort, or even worse, the illness they suffered when they were there.
Some of the really unlucky ones manage to have an accident whilst they're on holiday too, just to really add a bit of salt to the open holiday wound. I have to admit that some of the time, my advice to people is that "sorry I think it was just an accident". After all, there isn't always someone at fault, but more often than not there is a valid holiday compensation claim.
Getting back to the point, I can certainly understand why people opt for the security of returning to the same place, but for me; I think I would just get a bit bored.

For more information, visit our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com

The New ATOL Explained: Is Flight-Plus any good ATOL?

The news of the extension of the new ATOL scheme to cover separate flights and hotel bookings, and not just package holidays, was met with a mixed response - the change was welcomed but many felt it doesn't go far enough.  But what does the new ATOL scheme cover and what doesn't it cover.
Will your holiday be protected by the new ATOL scheme?


Picture the scene, you have just had an amazing holiday full of sun, sea and sand. You've forgotten about all the worries at work awaiting you when you come back, your batteries are well and truly recharged and you arrive to the airport ready to go home.
Suddenly you are told there’s a problem with the airline and nobody knows how you will get back home or who is responsible for your safe passage home.
Now initially this may seem like paradise, getting extra time in the country that you have been gallivanting around for the past week in an effort to refresh and replenish yourself. However, the sad reality of it is, a lot of the time this means long queues, long delays, mass confusion and “sleeping rough” in the airport.
Does ATOL Flight-Plus banish this to the past? Let's see...

New ATOL Flight Plus Scheme Explained... Am I covered?

ATOL is a financial protection scheme managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). All travel companies selling air holiday packages and flights in the UK are required by law to hold a licence called an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL), which is granted after the company, has met the CAA’s licensing requirements.
In the event of an ATOL holder’s failure, the ATOL Scheme ensures customers who have paid and contracted with the ATOL holder for an air holiday package or a flight, do not lose the money paid over and more importantly are not stranded abroad!
The new concept of the flight-plus holiday is when a holidaymaker buys a flight and accommodation and/or car hire together, either on the same day as the flight, the day before or the day after from the same travel company. This is what makes up a flight plus holiday. Whilst it looks like a 'normal' package holiday, it is NOT protected under the Package Travel Regulations. I won't go into the make up of a 'Package' here but you can read what is a package holiday here.
Under the new regulations when you buy a flight-plus holiday you will also (from October 1st 2012) be given a standard, recognised certificate so that you know whether your trip is protected or not.
Good news?
This means an estimated 6 million holidays will now be protected by the reforms in the scheme.

What's not covered by the new ATOL scheme

Even though this reform is a step in the right direction, ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) estimates that a whopping 44% of the market will still be unprotected. This is mainly because holiday sales by airlines are not included within the scheme. for example, if you buy your flight, hotel and hire car from an airlines website you will not be covered should the airline collapse.
My view is that even if it costs a little bit more, the extra protection you get from a holiday regulated by the Package Travel Regulations can be invaluable. Not only do you get financial protection, the travel company also needs to ensure your safety whilst you are in resort (obviously only in the parts they book for you - but still worth the peace of mind).
I suppose that whilst Flight-Plus is a poor second, it is better than having no protection at all.

For more information about Accident Abroad you can visit the website at: http://www.accidents-abroad.com/

Castaway suing cruise company for sailing by

Written by Ross Smith

Tuesday, 15 May 2012 12:59

A fisherman stranded in the pacific ocean for nearly a month is planning on suing Princess Cruises after their ship didn't stop and aid the castaway even though people on the boat may have reported his distress signal. Adrian Vasquez, who is only 18, from Panama, was stranded in The Pacific Ocean for an incredible 28 days during which two of his work colleagues died of dehydration. Media reports suggest that Mr Vasquez is suing the American cruise company Princess Cruises in the jurisdiction of Florida for not acting and assisting with his plight. Engine Failure Left Fishing Boat Stranded At that stage Mr Vasquez had been at sea 16 days with his two colleagues who later passed away. The three men were adrift due to the engine failure to their three metre long open fishing boat. They attempted to attract the attention of the passing Princess Cruise ship with the use of a red jumper, but to no avail. Mr Vasquez was able to survive as a result of collecting rainwater during a heavy downpour. It has been reported that some passengers on the cruise liner had sighted the distress signal but a communication breakdown meant the cruise ship carried on. The reasons aren't clear at present, but the Captain of the Princess Cruise ship wasn't told of the call for help. According to various International laws, and supported by the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization, once staff became aware of a distress signal they were obliged to assist . Their failure to do so could be costly now that Mr Vasquez has indicated he will be suing Princess Cruises. For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com

Are Holidays to Geece in Jeopardy?

Monday, 21 May 2012 15:15

The economic turmoil in Europe at the moment has led to holiday companies putting in place measures of what to do should there be economic and civil upheaval in southern Europe - put simply, for many holiday makers and providers alike: Greece is the word. I was planning a last minute getaway to one of the Greek Islands next month, and I must admit to being both concerned and optimistic about my trip. Optimistic: the euro appears to be devaluing against the pound, good news for those travelling within the Eurozone. This week, the euro has reached 1.25€ to the £ and is expected to keep devaluing further in light of the Eurozone crisis. In short, more euros for your pounds = more spending money! But Concerned: what's going to happen to Greece? What if airlines stopped flying to Greece? What if the country 'closed'? Given the problems, and especially with the “Arab Spring” still not too distant in the memory, a lot of holiday makers are quite worried about whether similar scenes will occur in Greece, with people revolting against the austerity regime that was in place. Things are expected to come to a head during next month’s elections and it seems as though the holidaymakers are expecting a reduced demand for holidays in Greece. Contingency Measures TUI has revealed it has put contingency measures in place in case Greece does exit the Eurozone, which does look increasingly likely. They have hinted they could shift capacity away from the Greek Islands if the situation in the country worsens following the elections. A spokesman said “We cannot predict what is going to happen, however, the inherent flexibility in our business model gives us the ability to move capacity dependent on where our customers want to go, for example, last year, we moved capacity away from North Africa due to the Arab Spring.” There are also reports that Greeks are already pulling their euros out of the banks, with a reported €700m withdrawn on Monday alone. The Greeks have rejected a political party that had agreed to austerity measures in return for two bailouts by the IMF and a second round of elections will be held next month after days of coalition talks failed to end with a new government. The bailout funding provided by Greece’s Eurozone neighbours seems about to be cut off, which would make the nation effectively bankrupt and surely lead to its exit from the Eurozone. Some analysts are predicting chaos as the Greek currency (whatever it may be – perhaps a possible return to the drachma) would become worthless. Greece still popular for holiday makers Thomas Cook, however, has said there would be positives as well as negatives for the travel industry if Greece left the Euro. The operator refused to expand beyond saying that the country remained popular and “great value” for holidaymakers. A TUI spokesperson said “ Greece remains a popular destination for our customers and we anticipate that it will remain so. We have contingency plans in place should the country exit the Eurozone and we continue to work with our Greek suppliers and hotel partners as we keep a very close eye on the situation”. Quite reassuringly they stated “The comfort and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance to us. In the unlikely event that civil unrest does break out near our resorts. We have tried and tested procedures for ensuring that our customers are looked after.” Noel Josephides, MD of Sunvil said their sales were 12% down since the elections although the operator has cut 7% capacity, mainly in May. He also said Greece would be cheaper if they returned to the drachma. “This is a definite, as client’s spending money will go further”. Well I’m planning on going at the start of June, which is not too far away! I imagine the euro will still be in place at that stage, but hopefully it has reduced in value so that I effectively have more spending money! I think that with travelling to Greece over the next few months timing will be everything. Although holidays may become cheaper over the following months this has to be balanced against the possible civil unrest. Knowing my luck, it will probably rain the whole time I’m there in any event.  For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com

Are Holidays to Geece in Jeopardy?

Monday, 21 May 2012 15:15
The economic turmoil in Europe at the moment has led to holiday companies putting in place measures of what to do should there be economic and civil upheaval in southern Europe - put simply, for many holiday makers and providers alike: Greece is the word.

I was planning a last minute getaway to one of the Greek Islands next month, and I must admit to being both concerned and optimistic about my trip. Optimistic: the euro appears to be devaluing against the pound, good news for those travelling within the Eurozone. This week, the euro has reached 1.25€ to the £ and is expected to keep devaluing further in light of the Eurozone crisis. In short, more euros for your pounds = more spending money! But Concerned: what's going to happen to Greece? What if airlines stopped flying to Greece? What if the country 'closed'?
Given the problems, and especially with the “Arab Spring” still not too distant in the memory, a lot of holiday makers are quite worried about whether similar scenes will occur in Greece, with people revolting against the austerity regime that was in place.
Things are expected to come to a head during next month’s elections and it seems as though the holidaymakers are expecting a reduced demand for holidays in Greece.

Contingency Measures

TUI has revealed it has put contingency measures in place in case Greece does exit the Eurozone, which does look increasingly likely. They have hinted they could shift capacity away from the Greek Islands if the situation in the country worsens following the elections.
A spokesman said “We cannot predict what is going to happen, however, the inherent flexibility in our business model gives us the ability to move capacity dependent on where our customers want to go, for example, last year, we moved capacity away from North Africa due to the Arab Spring.”
There are also reports that Greeks are already pulling their euros out of the banks, with a reported €700m withdrawn on Monday alone. The Greeks have rejected a political party that had agreed to austerity measures in return for two bailouts by the IMF and a second round of elections will be held next month after days of coalition talks failed to end with a new government.
The bailout funding provided by Greece’s Eurozone neighbours seems about to be cut off, which would make the nation effectively bankrupt and surely lead to its exit from the Eurozone. Some analysts are predicting chaos as the Greek currency (whatever it may be – perhaps a possible return to the drachma) would become worthless.

Greece still popular for holiday makers

Thomas Cook, however, has said there would be positives as well as negatives for the travel industry if Greece left the Euro. The operator refused to expand beyond saying that the country remained popular and “great value” for holidaymakers.
A TUI spokesperson said “ Greece remains a popular destination for our customers and we anticipate that it will remain so. We have contingency plans in place should the country exit the Eurozone and we continue to work with our Greek suppliers and hotel partners as we keep a very close eye on the situation”.
Quite reassuringly they stated “The comfort and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance to us. In the unlikely event that civil unrest does break out near our resorts. We have tried and tested procedures for ensuring that our customers are looked after.”
Noel Josephides, MD of Sunvil said their sales were 12% down since the elections although the operator has cut 7% capacity, mainly in May. He also said Greece would be cheaper if they returned to the drachma. “This is a definite, as client’s spending money will go further”.
Well I’m planning on going at the start of June, which is not too far away! I imagine the euro will still be in place at that stage, but hopefully it has reduced in value so that I effectively have more spending money! I think that with travelling to Greece over the next few months timing will be everything. Although holidays may become cheaper over the following months this has to be balanced against the possible civil unrest. Knowing my luck, it will probably rain the whole time I’m there in any event.

For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com

Half Price Holiday in Greece???

Written by Nolan Mortimer
Monday, 28 May 2012 07:03
With the uncertainty surrounding Greece, the holiday industry is bracing itself for a wave of compensation claims from people whose holidays in Greece are ruined by hotels, tour companies, excursion providers and other firms looking to survive what's happening to the country by cutting corners and saving money. In this blog we imagine a worst-case-scenario for a holidaymaker in Greece; inspired by the many holiday compensation claims we have run over the years for people whose holidays have been ruined. I heard a comment on the radio last week "Holidays in Greece are getting much cheaper, grab yourself a bargain...". I have no doubt that you can get some cheap holidays, but I'm not sure what you could expect when you get there? My interpretation of the news and media coverage along with a large dose of imagination, makes me think the worst case scenario of a holiday from hell in Greece would go something like this... A quick scan of the "Holidays, Holidays, Holidays" website tells me that I can get a holiday in the 4* Super Great Hotel in Crete for just £692 per person, a saving of a whopping £352. It's all inclusive too, so I don't have to worry about having too much money with me. I'm booked and ready to go. Let's see what happens. My flight leaves on 5 June, about a week away. I think I'm in luck because there probably won't be too much happening before the Greek people return to the polls on 17 June. The euro may lose a bit of value, but I'm confident I'm going to get to my holiday destination without the world's finance crashing around me... might wait until the day before to get my holiday money though. So what happens when I arrive? Luckily, I've booked a package holiday, so I have got the protection of travelling with Holidays, Holidays, Holidays, a reputable tour operator. If things go wrong, they are responsible for helping me out. Also, I don't have to worry about the organisation, it's all taken care of. My transfer from the airport saves me trying to find a taxi. Whilst I think they've given up striking, I'm not sure whether they can afford to put fuel in their cars anyway. When I arrive, I realise that Crete has been taking a bit of a battering from the austerity measures. The mood is quite low and I can see Greeks walking around with their pockets stuffed full of euros because they're too scared to keep it in a bank. Other than that, the sun is out and I'm off to the hotel. The hotel doesn't have as many guests at the moment, but I say hello to the other resident and wish him a good day. We have a quick chat about the Greek Hokey Cokey (in, out, in, out) and I change into my shorts to go and explore. A bit disappointing really, partly because I realise I've been taken to the wrong hotel and it's only a 2* and partly because it's rubbish. It's not very clean, there are less facilities and there are no staff. Bearing in mind that 15% of Greece's GDP is from tourism, you would think they would treat their tourists well, but I suppose if they can't afford to have them in the first place, then it's a catch 22. After going into the city, I'm pleased to see there are no signs of the riots I was expecting and no signs of destruction, but now I think about it, there are no signs of anything. Greece seems to be at an impasse. I'll spend some time in my hotel. Gladly, it's all inclusive so I don't have to worry too much about going into the baron streets. Oh dear! Holiday illness alert. I've managed to contract food poisoning from the hotel food. It might have been the rehashed food, or it could have been the pink chicken. I'll worry about making a holiday compensation claim when I get home. In the meantime, the tour operator will look after me because I'm on a package holiday. A nice trip to the hospital, but unfortunately there's not much they can do for me because there is a significant shortage of drugs because of the austerity measures. I think the nurses are on strike anyway. I think I need to go home early. I join the airport queue of Greeks with their pockets stuffed full of cash and pay to get home. I did ask the tour operator, but they said they would get back to me next week, I might have shrivelled up by then. I get home and continue my recovery. It's time to start my holiday compensation claim, but it seems that the tour operator doesnt really care - they try and fob me off with a small sum that i dont think is anywhere near enough. They say they are overwhelmed with complaints from holidaymakers who they have transferred to poor holiday properties and haven't got time to dealt with my illness complaint. I'm worried there's nothing else i can do, then I contact www.accidents-abroad.com on 0800 0126 129 and speak to a specialist travel solicitor about making a holiday claim for my illness and get compensation for my ruined holiday. They listen and tell me in minutes if I have a claim. They give me some advice about what I should do and how I can try and get my money back. They take on my claim and now its a case of letting their solicitors get on with the work of running my holiday claim and winning me compensation. This is quite typical of the stories we commonly hear from people making holiday claims with us, albeit with a bit of an exaggerated Greek viewpoint. If this resembles a holiday illness experience you have had, then call today and see how we can help. For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com

Claiming After a Friend Injures You on Holiday

Written by Ross Smith

Monday, 16 July 2012 08:45

Friendships can quickly turn sour if you are forced to make a holiday claim against one of your closest friends. At accidents abroad we've helped people in these situations and understand how difficult it can be. It seems as popular as ever for people to holiday with their friends. People’s finances are pushed in so it makes sense to share the cost. Whether a plush luxury holiday or a few too many people sleeping on someone’s hotel room floor, going on holiday with friends is obviously a great fun way of holidaying sharing differing interests to vary your holiday. However, it is not always just sun and sangria – accidents on holiday do happen and harm or injury can still be caused by a good friend. Claims after being injured by a friend on holiday The consequences for people injured on holiday by a traveling companion or friend can be monumental. Naturally, the holiday for the traveling party is often ruined from that moment forward, but more seriously someone’s livelihood and ability to pay their bills can be affected if they can’t work because of their injuries. At Accidents Abroad we represent several different clients who have unfortunately suffered at the hands of a friend. Normally there is no malice but the consequences whatever the intent can still be far reaching. Two cases spring to mind: A friend pushed our client into a swimming pool as a prank. Our client landed in the shallow end hitting the bottom of the pool with her back causing quite a significant back injury for which she made a holiday claim. A skiing accident where the friend when leaving the ski lift, skied over our client’s skis causing them to fall very awkwardly resulting in a very bad knee injury for which they had to make a claim for compensation. If your friend injures you on holiday what should you do? The best thing is to be prepared before you even set off on holiday. My first top tip is to make sure that everyone you travel with has taken out travel insurance. If they have not you may have to contemplate suing your friend personally for compensation, which will not do much for your friendship. At least if your friend has taken out travel insurance with public liability cover you will in effect be seeking compensation from their insurer. If there is no insurance cover and you need to make a holiday compensation claim after an accident, you may have to contemplate getting it through repossession property or belongings of your friend if they have assets. We suggest that you: take the name(s) and address(es) of anyone who saw the incident where possible take photographs of the accident location or ask another friend to do so. You will have to be diplomatic in acting upon these suggestions, but evidence can be key to the success of a case so don’t be shy in doing what is right for you. Accidents are naturally rare, so please do still enjoy the holidays, but if the unfortunate does occur feel a bit better for knowing you have traveled with friends sensible enough to take out insurance cover. If the worst happens, you don’t have to use the solicitors your insurance suggest – you can come to the travel experts at Accidents Abroad. We only have your best interests at heart and provide a no win no fee service. Make a holiday claim with us and not only can we help you get the compensation you deserve; we’ll make sure the holiday will be the only thing ruined and not your friendship as well.   For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com

Half Price Holiday in Greece???

Half Price Holiday in Greece???

Written by Nolan Mortimer

Monday, 28 May 2012 07:03

With the uncertainty surrounding Greece, the holiday industry is bracing itself for a wave of compensation claims from people whose holidays in Greece are ruined by hotels, tour companies, excursion providers and other firms looking to survive what's happening to the country by cutting corners and saving money. In this blog we imagine a worst-case-scenario for a holidaymaker in Greece; inspired by the many holiday compensation claims we have run over the years for people whose holidays have been ruined. I heard a comment on the radio last week "Holidays in Greece are getting much cheaper, grab yourself a bargain...". I have no doubt that you can get some cheap holidays, but I'm not sure what you could expect when you get there? My interpretation of the news and media coverage along with a large dose of imagination, makes me think the worst case scenario of a holiday from hell in Greece would go something like this... A quick scan of the "Holidays, Holidays, Holidays" website tells me that I can get a holiday in the 4* Super Great Hotel in Crete for just £692 per person, a saving of a whopping £352. It's all inclusive too, so I don't have to worry about having too much money with me. I'm booked and ready to go. Let's see what happens. My flight leaves on 5 June, about a week away. I think I'm in luck because there probably won't be too much happening before the Greek people return to the polls on 17 June. The euro may lose a bit of value, but I'm confident I'm going to get to my holiday destination without the world's finance crashing around me... might wait until the day before to get my holiday money though. So what happens when I arrive? Luckily, I've booked a package holiday, so I have got the protection of travelling with Holidays, Holidays, Holidays, a reputable tour operator. If things go wrong, they are responsible for helping me out. Also, I don't have to worry about the organisation, it's all taken care of. My transfer from the airport saves me trying to find a taxi. Whilst I think they've given up striking, I'm not sure whether they can afford to put fuel in their cars anyway. When I arrive, I realise that Crete has been taking a bit of a battering from the austerity measures. The mood is quite low and I can see Greeks walking around with their pockets stuffed full of euros because they're too scared to keep it in a bank. Other than that, the sun is out and I'm off to the hotel. The hotel doesn't have as many guests at the moment, but I say hello to the other resident and wish him a good day. We have a quick chat about the Greek Hokey Cokey (in, out, in, out) and I change into my shorts to go and explore. A bit disappointing really, partly because I realise I've been taken to the wrong hotel and it's only a 2* and partly because it's rubbish. It's not very clean, there are less facilities and there are no staff. Bearing in mind that 15% of Greece's GDP is from tourism, you would think they would treat their tourists well, but I suppose if they can't afford to have them in the first place, then it's a catch 22. After going into the city, I'm pleased to see there are no signs of the riots I was expecting and no signs of destruction, but now I think about it, there are no signs of anything. Greece seems to be at an impasse. I'll spend some time in my hotel. Gladly, it's all inclusive so I don't have to worry too much about going into the baron streets. Oh dear! Holiday illness alert. I've managed to contract food poisoning from the hotel food. It might have been the rehashed food, or it could have been the pink chicken. I'll worry about making a holiday compensation claim when I get home. In the meantime, the tour operator will look after me because I'm on a package holiday. A nice trip to the hospital, but unfortunately there's not much they can do for me because there is a significant shortage of drugs because of the austerity measures. I think the nurses are on strike anyway. I think I need to go home early. I join the airport queue of Greeks with their pockets stuffed full of cash and pay to get home. I did ask the tour operator, but they said they would get back to me next week, I might have shrivelled up by then. I get home and continue my recovery. It's time to start my holiday compensation claim, but it seems that the tour operator doesnt really care - they try and fob me off with a small sum that i dont think is anywhere near enough. They say they are overwhelmed with complaints from holidaymakers who they have transferred to poor holiday properties and haven't got time to dealt with my illness complaint. I'm worried there's nothing else i can do, then I contact www.accidents-abroad.com on 0800 0126 129 and speak to a specialist travel solicitor about making a holiday claim for my illness and get compensation for my ruined holiday. They listen and tell me in minutes if I have a claim. They give me some advice about what I should do and how I can try and get my money back. They take on my claim and now its a case of letting their solicitors get on with the work of running my holiday claim and winning me compensation. This is quite typical of the stories we commonly hear from people making holiday claims with us, albeit with a bit of an exaggerated Greek viewpoint. If this resembles a holiday illness experience you have had, then call today and see how we can help. For more information you can contact us via our website at: www.accidents-abroad.com