‘Allergic reaction claims on the rise’ Ian Taylor


Tour operators and travel lawyers have reported an increase in allergy-related personal-injury claims by holidaymakers. Speaking at an Abta Travel Law


Seminar last month, Tui UK customer claims manager Ian Bates said: “We’re seeing more allergic reaction claims, especially in big hotels. We’ve had nothing too serious, but we see these claims gathering momentum.” Asked whether this was most


likely to be due to more incidents of allergic reaction or to people being more aware of allergies, Bates said: “I suspect the latter. Most hotels are on board with this and trying to do


the right thing. The claims we tend to see are [due to] genuine mistakes.” Bates also reported “a surge


in disability and equality claims”, suggesting this has included some from customers “with unrealistic expectations”. He cited a complaint from a customer who “didn’t get a late checkout” and another who “wanted to be first off the plane”. Travlaw partner Nick Parkinson


told the seminar: “We’re definitely seeing [more] allergies claims.” However, he said: “There is no massive sign of sickness claims. We’re not seeing a rise in these.” Travel Weekly has reported a


growing number of group action sickness claims being brought


Enable Holidays banks on trade to spur sales growth


Juliet Dennis


Enable Holidays is targeting significant growth in trade sales and aims to double its passenger numbers within two years. The accessible travel specialist


said travel agents, who account for 40% of sales, will play a “big part” in the expansion of the company, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary. Enable Holidays carried about


1,200 passengers a year pre-Covid and last year took between 800 and 900 holidaymakers away, although average booking values have increased in the period. Chief executive Ben Kirby, son of founder Lynne, said the operator


6 12 JUNE 2025


aims to boost its trade profile and return to pre-Covid passenger numbers within 18 months. He said: “We understand


it will not be easy but, realistically, within 18 months there should be no reason why we can’t get the numbers back up and grow further. Within the next couple of years we want to double the number of passengers, and the trade will play a big part in this.” Kirby said the operator is looking


to expand the range of destinations it offers and work with more agents, and hopes to increase awareness of the brand among the trade. “Even though we have been here 21 years, there are still agents who have not


We’re seeing more


allergic reaction claims, especially in big hotels – these claims are gathering momentum


by Irwin Mitchell, a law firm specialising in personal injury (Travel Weekly, April 17). Irwin Mitchell lawyers have filed


11 group action claims over gastric illness at all-inclusive resorts in Cape Verde and Mexico against Tui, plus a claim against Jet2holidays on behalf of holidaymakers to Turkey. Tui and Jet2 have declined to comment on the cases, but a Tui


spokesperson said: “We were very sorry to hear these customers were ill.” Sarah Prager KC, a barrister


at Deka Chambers, said: “We are getting group claims. We’re seeing gastric illness claims arising out of the pandemic, from hotels being mothballed and there is not a lot of documentation.” She said: “There is some discussion about whether these are [due to] claims companies. But hotels were closed for a year and now claims are coming through from when operators started sending people away again.” Prager also agreed there


has been an increase in allergy cases, saying: “More people have allergies and we’re more aware.”


Ben Kirby


heard of us,” he added. He said the company


planned to build on its


reputation in the trade with more product and sales training materials and events, and called for more agency head offices to raise awareness of accessible travel at branch level. “There is a lack of communication


from certain agents so head offices need to communicate better,” he said. The company anticipates agent


sales growth of 30% over the next two years, bringing the share of business sold via the trade to about 50%. Kirby was optimistic despite


the sector taking longer to recover


post-Covid, the continued lack of extra guaranteed accessible rooms, which restricts growth, and more competition in the market. He said: “Although it’s more


challenging with more competitors, you can take it as a compliment, being a pioneer for accessible travel. “And we are still the only ones


doing the full package out of the UK with flights and assistance, carers, accessible rooms and equipment hire.” The operator marked 21 years


of trading with an agent celebration


near its Birmingham headquarters. i Read more at travelweekly.co.uk


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