Fake Food Incidents Could Hamper All-Inclusive Holidays for Brits

0
Fake Food Incidents Could Hamper All/Inclusive Holidays for Brits

BUSINESSES in Mallorca have called for holidaymakers from Blighty to be blocked from generous food and drink breaks.

And the Association of British Travel Agents has backed up their complaints.

Bogus food poisoning claims have risen 700% in a year, according to the Mirror.

Suspicions have been raised because the increase is driven by Brits making claims when they get home. The number of reports in resort has remained stable.

The Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Dorada and Benidorm have been hit with the most scams.

ABTA blames a little-known loophole that allows tourists to file a claim using just receipt for a stomach bug product from a pharmacy.

Average payouts are between £2,000 and £3,000 and holiday companies have accused “no win, no fee” law firms of cashing in on the technicality.

Hoteliers say holidaymakers should have to go to a doctor and called on chemists to stop selling medicine to Brits without a prescription.

An ABTA spokesman said: “Data from ABTA members has shown a dramatic rise in the number of gastric illness claims made since 2013, while sickness levels reported in resort have remained stable.

“ABTA has been calling for the Government to take further swift and decisive action to close legal loopholes that are being ruthlessly exploited by claims management companies.

“It seems that since PPI and whiplash has dried up, they are now after holiday sickness.”

The British Foreign Office has warned tourists against making false claims.

Its website says: “There have been reports of an increase in holidaymakers being encouraged to submit a claim for personal injury if they have experienced gastric illness during their stay.

“You should only consider pursuing a complaint or claim if you have genuinely suffered from injury or illness. If you make a false or fraudulent claim, you may face legal proceedings in the UK or Spain.”