Journal: TWUK | Section: |
Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
Author: | Page Number: 4 |
Copyright: Other |
Inconsistent tests by the FTO and Spanish authorities force operator to pull out of property
JMC finally pulls plug on Club Aguamar
Report by JEREMYSKIDMORE
Report by JEREMYSKIDMORE
TOUR operator JMC Holidays has pulled out of the Club Aguamar in Majorca after 31 confirmed and several suspected cases of gastric illness at the property in four weeks.
The operator decided to suspend holidays to the all-inclusive property after tests by the Federation of Tour Operators found traces of the gastric illness cryptosporidium in the hotel’s swimming pool. Earlier this month, tests carried out by the Cristal health organisation, on behalf of the Spanish authorities, had given the property the all clear.
JMC will not send any more customers to Club Aguamar this year and anyone booked to travel will be offered alternative accommodation or a full refund, plus compensation.
As Travel Weekly went to press, 123 people had cancelled up until the end of this month.
JMCmanaging director Simon Vincent said: “We monitored the level of sickness and initially they weren’t out of the ordinary but we saw a trend and worked with the FTOto resolve the problem. The tests from the FTO were inconsistent with those from the Spanish authorities and so we’ve taken the decision to pull out.”
Vincent denied JMC should have pulled out earlier, despite media criticism of the resort and 22 cases of the illness being reported by August 5.
“We can only act on medical evidence, we can’t let our policy be dictated by the press,” he said. “When a problem was confirmed, we acted swiftly.”
JMC had 800 clients at the Club Aguamar at the time the property was suspended on August 18. Some 120 took up the option to curtail their holiday and receive compensation, while those who stayed were advised not to use the pool.
Vincent said it was dealing with compensation cases on an individual basis.
JMChas already taken 4,000 Club Aguamar bookings for summer 2001, when the operator expects the problems to have been sorted out.
Compensation: customers going to the the Club Aguamar resort in Majorca, will be offered alternative accommodation or a full refund
Top property: Club Aguamar is still on sale for 2001