Brits’ weak stomachs – sickness claims
Thomas Cook Group chief executive Peter Fankhauser claimed today that British tourists have become the laughing stock of Europe due to a 500% rise in holiday sickness claims.
Fankhauser, a Swiss national, told the ABTA Travel Matters conference that there was a joke that the British have weak stomachs and the Germans have stronger constitutions.
“Europe is laughing at the Brits, but this is not a good situation,” he said. “It is starting to backfire on British holidaymakers and on the industry.”
He said that as a result of what ABTA described as a ‘steep and unprecedent’ rise in claims, many of which are bogus, the future of all-inclusive package was threatened as hoteliers are growing increasingly reluctant to take British holidaymakers and risk fake food-poisoning claims. “We are seeing this with some of our big hotel partners,” added Fankhauser. “And the Germans are laughing again because they will get the rooms.”