Moevnpick Hotel, Taba

A family of 6 from Sheffield are among nearly 30 British holidaymakers taking legal action against their tour operator after their luxury holiday to Egypt was ruined when they were all struck down with severe gastric illness.

Vicky Knight (47) her husband Carl (48), their son Nicholas (15) and Vicky’s brother John Booth (48) and his wife Julie (47), and daughter Chloe (17) from Norton in Sheffield, travelled with First Choice Holidays and Flights Limited to the Moevnpick Hotel in the Egyptian resort of Taba in March 2008.

It was the first time they had all gone on holiday together as a family, and had booked the 2 week all-inclusive luxury break to celebrate Vicky's birthday.

However by the second week of their holiday they had all fallen ill with diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain and vomiting. When Mrs Knight approached the Tour Representative to complain about the two family's illnesses she reports that she was told by the rep that 80 people had complained of illness.

Mrs Knight said: "We had all been looking forward to our family holiday to Egypt as it was the first time we had all been away together on holiday. I was expecting to spend two weeks of luxury in a 5 star hotel. However because we all felt so ill we were confined to our room for most of the time we were away."

"I have continued to suffer with symptoms and was still visiting my GP up to 4 weeks after returning from holiday. I am continuing to suffer with symptoms now and have been told to return for a check up if my problems persist. This is not what I thought I would get out of a holiday."

Mrs Knight noticed that on occasions food was being left out uncovered for long periods of time; and that the food did not taste fresh. I remember eating chicken which was cold and after noticing that food was just topped up, became concerned about eating meat dishes."

Francesca Sandiford from the travel law team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who is representing the family, said, "Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. We are currently investigating Claims for over 20 holiday makers who stayed at the Moevnvpick Hotel in April/May this year. This year alone, Irwin Mitchell has been instructed to act on behalf of hundreds of other clients who have suffered illnesses whilst on holiday abroad. Tour Operators have a responsibility to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard the health and welfare of their customers. Often simple hygiene measures can make all the difference in avoiding the transmission of illness, and the often long lasting symptoms and serious effects on the quality of life of illness victims."

Until health and safety standards are improved in underperforming hotels, there will continue to be hundreds of British holidaymakers who suffer serious illness every year when travelling abroad."