Euro Weekly News - Costa del Sol 13 - 19 April 2017 Issue 1658

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ISSUE NO. 1658

13 - 19 April 2017

COSTA DEL SOL

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

Airport pickme-up

FALSE CLAIMS: Are on the up.

Zero cost

Brit holiday scammers on the rise By Francesca Souter and Matt Ford Local hoteliers on the Costa del Sol have been warned of an increase in British tourists looking to score a free holiday. Some holidaymakers, mainly from the UK, are claimed to be buying over-the-counter diarrhoea medication before faking food poisoning. Once home, they claim compensation from hotels, accusing them of poor food hygiene. The legislation surrounding holiday sickness tends to support the accuser, putting the onus on the hotels to prove their innocence, according to many in legal circles. There has been a clear upward trend in false claims made to recover money spent on hotels, with many recuperating the full amount paid. In some cases, compensation even exceeds the original outlay. The business has not gone unnoticed by commission-hungry British law firms offering ‘no win, no fee’ assistance to tourists who claim holiday sickness, and there is even a specialised

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website with details of how to claim. Food poisoning leads the rankings of complaints, with the range of illnesses that would qualify for compensation including ear infections, acute nausea, or even ‘unexplained diseases.’ False allegations are beginning to take their toll on businesses along the Costa del Sol, with all-inclusive hotels bearing the brunt of complaints according to the Costa del Sol Hotel Owners’ Association (Aehcos). Many operators choose to settle immediately, anticipating the legal cost of contention to be prohibitively high since the claims are almost always submitted in the UK. Aehcos president, Luis Callejon, said: “We at least demand that the complaints be made in Spain so that we can defend ourselves.” The group have already met with British ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, and according to UK newspapers some ministers have already expressed a commitment to closing the loophole.

MALAGA airport has opened a new short-stay car park adjacent to the T3 terminal. This follows criticism over its pick-up and drop-off facilities for passengers. With 91 places, including several spots for disabled drivers, the new facility is designed to speed up collection of travellers as they exit arrivals. To further increase efficiency, it is also equipped with three easyaccess ticket machines, and users will benefit from a 15 per cent discount in some airport bars and restaurants. The new car park is located near the taxi rank, bus stops, hire car offices and train station.


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