A father from the Lake District has issued a warning to fellow holidaymakers to take caution after an accident during a quad biking excursion resulted in life-changing injuries. His hope is that by speaking out, others will be able to make safer choices when booking holiday excursions.
Tony Holliday, a 57-year-old property developer, travelled to Sal, Cape Verde in March 2023 with his wife and two daughters for a package holiday booked through TUI. The trip got off to a disappointing start, after the family's luggage got lost at the airport, and their allocated hotel rooms smelled strongly of sewage.
As an apology, TUI's resort staff offered a complimentary quad biking excursion, describing it as being "suitable for beginners". But only days later, the excursion turned into a traumatic ordeal for the whole family.
Lack of transparency and safeguarding measures
Believing that this was organised and endorsed by TUI, and assured of its suitability, Tony and his family accepted the free excursion.
However, the excursion was advertised elsewhere by TUI as a "four-hour adrenaline-fueled off-road adventure", and was operated by a third-party provider. The activity involved riding over steep, dusty, mountainous terrain, and the guides provided minimal instruction and practice to prepare guests to comfortably use the vehicles.
“I trusted the assurances that were given to us by the TUI representatives, that this was safe and beginner friendly. The moment we arrived, it was clear we were out of our depth. None of the guides checked that we understood how to ride the bikes, the conditions were
dangerous, and I was given a faulty vehicle with a broken display screen and no wing mirror,” Tony explains.
A warning to holidaymakers
“I still deal with the consequences of what happened that day, both physically and mentally,” Tony says. “I want people to know that just because an excursion is booked as part of a package holiday, or through a well-known travel company, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe.”
Tony is now taking legal action against TUI, supported by international injury lawyer Chris Deacon from Stewarts law firm. The claim argues that TUI failed to ensure the excursion was safe and suitable for the participating individuals, and misrepresented the level of risk involved.
Chris Deacon says, “Every single year, I see cases like Tony’s, of people sustaining serious, life-changing injuries on excursions booked through major tour operators. These sorts of activities aren’t usually covered under standard travel insurance plans, and yet they are offered with little or no real warnings about the potential risks, and who is actually responsible if something goes wrong.”
Excursions are big business for TUI
TUI’s excursions and activities arm, known as TUI Musement, is a major revenue driver for the business. In its latest financial reporting period (1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024) TUI Musement sold over 10 million excursions, tours and activities, generating 47 million euros EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes), up from 36 million euros in the previous year.
Despite, the commercial success of this area of the business, Tony Holliday’s case raises concerns over the safety standards and transparency of the excursions being sold under the TUI brand. His legal team argues that if tour operators are profiting significantly from these activities, they must take greater precautions in ensuring the welfare of the customers they are selling them to.
Staying safe when booking holiday excursions
As the summer holidays approach, Tony and his legal team are calling for greater transparency and safeguarding surrounding holiday excursions. They are urging travellers to ask key questions before booking any activities abroad:
· Is the activity run by the tour operator, or an external provider?
· What level of skill or experience is genuinely required?
· Is the activity covered by your travel insurance policy?
· Are appropriate safety measure in place, i.e. equipment, instructions and risk assessments?
· Do you have the option to pay for the excursion by credit card? If so, do this for an additional layer of protection.
There are other key guidelines to be aware of to ensure you’re taking every precaution. As an expert in international injury, Chris Deacon has written guides for holidaymakers to help give people a better understanding of how to stay safe on adventure holidays.
Tony’s story serves as a reminder that even trusted holiday providers must be held to account when safety is compromised.
All media enquiries should be directed to:
NatalieRodgers@Scala.uk.com and RebeccaFinley@Scala.uk.com
t: 0114 4070159
