A family taking legal action against a holiday company say their two-week trip to Turkey was ruined by a nasty bug which left members of their party bed-bound and even hospitalised.
Katie Seamons, 30, and husband Thomas, 28, of Caernarvon Close, Hemel Hempstead, had saved up the £3,500 for the break to the Santido Perissia Hotel in Side from August 10 to 24 – their first holiday with both their youngest daughter Amelia, one, and three-year-old Bethany.
They travelled to the resort with 18 members of Thomas’ family, 16 of whom became violently ill from a bug allegedly caused by poor food hygiene. Seven members of the group required an overnight stay at hospital and a course of antibiotics.
Katie said: “We hadn’t had a holiday for two and a half years so we were really looking forward to spending time together.
“It affected the whole holiday, it was awful. There were people unable to control their bowels in public and in the pool.”
The family are now in contact with more than 50 other people on the trip who are seeking action against tour operator Thomas Cook. The Seamons family hope to be reimbursed for the cost of the holiday but do not seek further compensation.
She said: “They brought us into that environment and they weren’t helpful or supportive. We didn’t have a holiday at all, and £3,500 is a lot of money. We can only hope we haven’t wasted it.”
Thomas Cook believes the illness was viral and not caused by poor food hygiene. It has offered all visitors alternative accommodation up until today. Spokesman Alastair Brass said: “Customers were offered every assistance by our dedicated resort team. We are pro-actively contacting any that have returned to the UK to address any concerns in an open, honest and fair manner.”