Tour operator TUI, whose brands include First Choice, RIU, Sensatori and TUI Blue, has revealed it saw a 500% increase in holiday bookings overnight after the government announced its roadmap out of lockdown.
But potential tourist hotspots such as Mexico may continue to carry various non-Covid related health risks, such as cyclospora.
Risks of Contracting Cyclospora Food Poisoning
During summer 2016, 2017 and 2018, Public Health England reported significant outbreaks of sickness caused by the gastric illness bug cyclospora among travellers returning from the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions of Mexico.
Given that the source of these illness outbreaks was never identified, there is the potential for similar food poisoning outbreaks to happen again at all-inclusive hotels in the region.
The hotels being advertised on TUI’s websites include:
- Akunal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort
- Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun
- Bahia Principe Grand Coba
- Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal
- Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an
- Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
- Barcelo Maya Riviera
- Catalonia Playa Maroma
- Catalonia Riviera Maya & Yucatan Beach Resort & Spa
- Catalonia Royal Tulum
- El Beso at Ocean Coral & Turquesa
- El Dorado Casitas Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma
- El Dorado Maroma, a Spa Resort by Karisma
- Excellence Riviera Cancun
- Family Club at Grand Riviera Princess
- Generations Riviera Maya by Karisma
- Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa
- Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa
- Grand Riviera Princess
- Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa
- Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Hacienda
- Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun
- Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya
- Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun
- Ocean Coral & Turquesa by H10
- Ocean Maya Royale by H10
- Ocean Riviera Maya Heaven
- Platinum Yucatan Princess All Suites & Spa Resort
- Royalton Riviera Cancun
- Sandos Caracol Eco Resort and Spa
- TRS Yucatan Hotel
- TUI BLUE El Dorado Seaside Suites
- TUI SENSATORI Riviera Cancun
- Unico Riviera Maya
We continue to represent hundreds of TUI/First Choice customers who became ill at hotels in Mexico and many of our clients have a confirmed diagnosis of cyclospora.
Contracting this holiday bug often causes severe symptoms, including:
- Diarrhoea,
- Vomiting, and
- Dehydration
In some cases, a person with cyclospora may need hospital treatment.
This inevitably spoils holidays and British travellers should not have been exposed to bug caused by food contaminated with human faeces. Despite this, TUI continues to defend these cases robustly despite the common factor being hotels such as the TUI Sensatori Riviera Cancun; TUI Blue El Dorado Seaside Suites; and the Royalton Riviera.
Advice to Mexico Travellers
Cyclospora isn’t passed from person to person as it’s not a viral infection. Instead, the bug is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or drink.
Travellers should exercise common sense and maintain excellent food hygiene at all times when visiting Mexico, even if staying in 4/5 star all-inclusive hotels, and always choose freshly prepared food that’s cooked and served piping hot.
You should avoid certain foods such as raspberries, unpeeled fruit, mint and salad items.
But this can be extremely difficult, given that a large percentage of buffet food will contain such items, and cocktails such as Mojitos and Daiquiris have also been implicated in the past.
First Choice customers should not be put off making a claim against their tour operator if they suffer a bout of food poisoning in Mexico.
Claims Handlers acting for TUI often claim that it’s difficult to successfully prove a link between an illness and the hotel without there being evidence of “others similarly afflicted”. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to get the justice you deserve.
More information on this parasitic infection can be found on Public Health England’s website.
How Simpson Millar Can Help You
Claiming compensation for sickness on holiday is fraught with difficulty, but our specialist Travel Lawyers are here to help you.
Collectively, our Senior Travel Lawyers have over 100 years of experience dealing with holiday illness claims for both sides, so we have a deep understanding of how tour operators work.
We have recovered millions of pounds for holidaymakers who have suffered sickness through no fault of their own and can guide you through the claims process.
Cyclospora Food Poisoning Claims
We can assist those whose holidays were affected by food poisoning caused by cyclospora or indeed any other bug, such as salmonella or E.coli, on a No Win No Fee basis.
UK travellers should not be exposed to food poisoning at luxury hotels abroad and we believe those that profit from and promote such accommodation should be held accountable.
Call one of our specialist travel lawyers today on 0808 239 1011 for free initial advice.
