Investigation into hygiene at First Choice holiday village
Law firm Irwin Mitchell has taken on the case of 11 family members who suffered serious gastric illness at the Holiday Village Aliathon resort in Cyprus.
Jason and Sadie Sanders and their extended family travelled with First Choice in May for a fortnight’s holiday to celebrate Sadie’s father’s 70th birthday.
Just days into their two-week holiday, 11 members of the party fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and a fever. Seven of the party – including three children – were taken to hospital.
Sadie is still suffering symptoms three months later, Irwin Mitchell claims.
Jatinder Paul, travel lawyer at the company, said: "The illness Jason and his family suffered completely ruined what was supposed to be a special occasion for them and we are now investigating their concerns with the hygiene standards at the hotel to help provide them with the answers they deserve."
The family claims hotel rooms were not cleaned regularly, the food at the restaurants was on several occasions not served at the correct temperature and the swimming pool was temporarily closed twice due to faecal accidents.
Jason Sanders, from Wellingborough, Northants, said: "The illness suffered by the majority of our family completely ruined our holiday which we had been looking forward to for months."
TUI said: "We are sorry to hear of the Sanders family’s experience at the Holiday Village Aliathon earlier this year.
"First Choice closely audits all resorts to which we operate to ensure that health, hygiene and comfort levels are maintained in line with industry standards.
"As this case is now subject to legal proceedings it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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