Jamie Foy, a 40-year-old plasterer from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, embarked on a surprise holiday to a five-star resort in Cape Verde with his partner, Leanne Lynch, 41, on December 12. Unfortunately, their trip took a troubling turn after Jamie began experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms following three days of dining exclusively at the hotel's main buffet restaurant.
Initially aiming to enjoy a relaxing week in the sun, Jamie claims that he started to feel sharp stomach cramps and diarrhoea after indulging in the buffet meals. As his symptoms worsened, he found himself making harrowing trips to the toilet upwards of 30 times a day, with the situation deteriorating further when he began passing blood just a day before their scheduled return flight.
Reflecting on his experience, Jamie recounted the excitement that surrounded the surprise holiday he planned after discovering the destination in November. However, he noted his concern upon researching the hotel beforehand, as he found other travellers reporting similar health issues at the same resort. "I asked my local travel provider about this, and they asked TUI, and TUI said it was a load of nonsense. Then I ended up ill and it ruined the holiday," he stated, speaking to The Oxford Times.
After his condition deteriorated, Jamie sought medical assistance from the on-site doctor, who diagnosed him with gastroenteritis and prescribed antibiotics and probiotics. However, subsequent consultations with a doctor back in the UK led Jamie to believe he might have contracted shigella, a bacterial infection of the bowel. He commented, "I definitely didn't have food poisoning; I think it was bacterial from bad hygiene."
Jamie noted observing a lack of proper hygiene practices at the restaurant, mentioning that he did not see any hand sanitising stations and that tables were readied for the next guests with minimal cleaning. He expressed concerns about the overall hygiene standards at the establishment, stating, "I noticed how many people weren't washing their hands. It could have been caused by poor food hygiene."
As they attempted to communicate their experiences to TUI after returning home, Jamie reported that the travel company did not take accountability for his illness, citing the absence of 'pathological evidence' as the reason for their stance. "What annoys me more is I raised my concerns about being ill because of other news articles I had seen, and was told by TUI it was a load of rubbish," he remarked.
Responding to the situation, a hotel spokesman insisted that guest health and safety remains a top priority at the resort, asserting that they adhere to strict health protocols and collaborate with local health authorities to maintain a safe environment for all visitors. Additionally, a spokesperson for TUI UK&I expressed regret over Jamie's experience, stating that, as the matter has escalated to a legal issue, they are unable to provide further details at this time.
Jamie’s ordeal has left him disillusioned with the travel provider and has vowed never to book with TUI again, characterising this trip as his first and last with the company after a troubling experience that overshadowed what was meant to be a celebratory birthday getaway.
Source: Noah Wire Services