‘Lessons Must Be Learned’ From Problems Linked To Hotel Riu Tikida Beach

A woman whose special 50th birthday break at a Moroccan holiday resort earlier this year was ruined by serious gastric illness has called on specialist lawyers to help her gain answers and justice regarding the ‘ordeal’.

Retail manager Jayne Cardwell, from Preston, fell ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps just days into her two-week all-inclusive stay at the Hotel Riu Tikida Beach in the Agadir region in Morocco with her husband Andrew, 52, in the middle of August this year.

The severity of the illness meant Jayne needed to seek medical treatment from both the on-site doctor and her own GP on her return to the UK. More than a month on from the holiday, she is still yet to fully recover.

Now, after instructing specialist lawyers in Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team to investigate the illness issues they faced, Jayne and Andrew have revealed their hopes that lessons will be learned from their experiences.

Jatinder Paul, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell who is acting for the couple and other holidaymakers who have fallen ill at this resort this summer, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Our clients are understandably upset by the problems that they have faced on what was meant to be a special holiday for them both.

“Following our instruction by this couple and others who have holidayed at this hotel this summer, we have launched investigations into the issues they faced and are determined to ensure that they get the answers they deserve regarding what happened.

“We are advising a growing group of holidaymakers caught up in these problems. As part of our investigations we would like to hear from other guests who may have information about conditions at the hotel this summer.

“We have seen on numerous occasions how illness problems can have a significant impact on victims and as such these issues should not be downplayed. Our clients deserve to have their voices heard on this matter.” Jatinder Paul - Partner

Jayne and Andrew’s holiday at Hotel Riu Tikida Beach, which was booked through TUI, started on August 13th. Sadly, she first showed signs of illness just three days later.

She recalled: “While I had a couple of days here and there when I didn’t feel too bad, I was unwell for essentially the entire holiday. This was meant to be a memorable trip for my birthday, but because of everything I went through we will now only remember it for the wrong reasons.

“The symptoms were awful and, while I initially went to a pharmacist for medication, I had no option but to head to the resort doctor. I paid more than £100 for treatment and medication but was still in such a bad way that I went on to need an injection. It was a complete and utter ordeal.”

Upon her return to the UK, Jayne also needed further support from her GP.

She said: “While I’m over the worst of the illness I’ve still not completely recovered. I even had to go on antibiotics due to issues which have arisen from the tablets I was taking for the illness.

“We saw issues like dirty cutlery and crockery and food was occasionally left uncovered for long periods at the resort but never thought that we were at any risk of falling ill. It has been a very difficult time and we just want to know how this could have happened. Hopefully, any answers we secure will mean that lessons can be learned for the future.”

The team at Irwin Mitchell have considerable experience of handling cases of this nature and have represented thousands of holidaymakers who have fallen ill abroad.

The team have recovered millions of pounds from tour operators including representing over 600 people who fell ill at the Holiday Village in Turkey over successive years between 2009 and 2014, and over 1,000 fell who fell ill following holidays at the Bahia Principe in the Dominican Republic in 2007.

The firm also notably acts for over 40 holidaymakers who suffered illness at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt, earlier this year.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in holiday illness cases.