Spanish hotel operators are blaming litigious lawyers and ruthless tour operators, as well as a larcenous streak in some of their guests for a 700% increase in food-poisoning claims at all-inclusive resorts.
Spanish hotel owners’ association CEHAT is fighting back with a threat that any false claimants will be immediately prosecuted for fraud. They’re also tracking where their guests are and what they’re consuming to give them a chance to refute claims, which are typically filed after the guest has gone home and cannot be examined by a local doctor.
The claims are usually filed with tour operators in the UK, but CEHAT points out that most of the operators have required the hotels to sign contracts that make them responsible for paying claims guests file with the tour operator. Unscrupulous lawyers tout for customers near the resorts in Spain.
CEHAT believes that with the huge sudden increase in claims that as much as 90% are likely false. In the past, it has been cheaper to pay claims than to fight them, since it would require appearing in British courts and hiring lawyers there. Now, however, the hotels say they will investigate, and if they believe the claim is false, they will file criminal charges in Spain.
Photo: Rafael Ortega Díaz/Wikimedia
