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“We just wanted to have a nice short break somewhere warm,” Aaron Hatton, 20, told The Echo. The British trio flew from Manchester to Turkey together with Danielle Halsall (20) and another friend. It was booked with a private tour operator.
At the beginning of the trip, everything seemed to go well: the group of friends landed in Turkey at the beginning of October. They then arranged a private transfer to their accommodation, which they had pre-booked and paid for. They wanted to spend seven days at the all-inclusive hotel, for which they had paid the equivalent of R1,600.
“They just shook their heads.”
The three friends arrived at the hotel around one o’clock in the morning. However, the hotel gates were locked despite people being seen on the balconies. They advised them to try the other side of the building.
“A security guard looked at us when we tried to enter. When we explained that we had booked here they kept telling us to leave and find somewhere else. The hotel is not open to the public,” Hatton told The Echo. “We showed them our cell phone with the reservation and the name of the hotel, but they just shook their heads.”
The three Englishmen had no choice but to spend the night in the hotel’s sister complex. Despite an all-inclusive booking they only had water available in the hotel. They were given a downgrade for the larger room they paid extra for. The staff also pointed out to the three that it was not safe outside at night. “They told us to lock ourselves in the room.”
Trio files complaint
Despite their efforts, Hatton and his friends were unable to contact the tour operator. After two days the three had had enough: the English wanted to go home. Because the whole thing was very stressful and traumatic for her. Their families had to pay more than 600 francs for the return flight of the three friends.
On October 13, they filed a complaint with the organizer, but to no avail. “They just don’t seem to care,” Hatton says. A spokesperson for the travel website told The Echo: “We are very sorry that Mr Hatton’s holiday did not meet our usual high standards.”
They want to investigate the error at the property and ensure something like this doesn’t happen again. “We have already apologized to Mr Hatton.” Accommodation costs were reimbursed. The travelers were also presented with a voucher worth 100 francs – probably a small consolation for the three friends. (gs)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
