Bogus claims could end allinclusive deals

Britons could be banned from breaks because of false food poisoning claims

UK holidaymakers could be banned from all-inclusive breaks unless they stop making bogus food poisoning claims, tour operators have warned.

Travel bosses have been left “embarrassed” by the huge spike in reports of holiday sickness, which they describe as “a British problem”.

Most cases involve all-inclusive resorts as claimants say they only ate at their hotel in a bid to identify it as the cause of their supposed food poisoning.

Travel trade organisation Abta has launched a campaign urging the Government to close a “legal loophole” which it says is encouraging lawyers to sign up people to insist they were ill even if they were not.

Tens of thousands of UK holidaymakers have made claims in the past year despite reported sickness levels in resorts remaining stable.

Since spring 2016 travel firm Tui has recorded around 15 times more illness claims than in previous years.

They are typically worth around £3,000 to £5,000 – which is more than the cost of many of the holidays involved.

In cases where tour operators make a payout, they can attempt to claw the money back from the hotels themselves.

Thomas Cook’s UK managing director, Chris Mottershead, warned the scam could lead to the end of such holidays.

“It’s a very serious situation because it has the effect of stopping all-inclusive holidays for the UK market,” he said.

Picture: PA. Students from Cambridge University make their way home after celebrating the end of the academic year at the May Balls.