Always read the small print on holiday brochures – if it’s there of course

The recent case of a British family who booked and paid for two weeks at a rather pricey holiday resort in Greece highlights a growing trend with holiday resorts in that country.

They chose their destination after being impressed by all the nice facilities they saw in the glossy brochures; great pool areas, wonderful playground facilties for their young kids. A few thousand pounds later they arrived only to discover that much of those impressive facilities were reserved only for the use of the German guests. Their children were turned away from the playground and told that only the German children could use it.

They were told to use the other less attractive, and not very well maintained, children’s enclosure. Even the toilets were divided into German Guests Only use.

Understandably they were very angry and their holiday was not just a ripoff but they did not get to use the facilities they had paid and expected to use – and they had paid the same money as those German guests. The holiday Reps, Thomas Cook, dived for cover and refused to issue them with a refund. This German Only thing was not mentioned anywhere in the brochures, nor when they paid for their holiday.

Resort owners and managers need to rethink this kind of thing. Not only is it dishonest and a misrepresentation of their resort – it is also illegal. Discrimination on basis of Nationality, anywhere in the European Union, is now totally against EU law. This is not the fault of the German guests of course; but be aware next time to want to visit a resort in Greece - or Cyprus where this has also occurred.

If the small print regarding this is not there make sure you ask!

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