A SUFFOLK family is outraged today after a lack of compassion for a Gulf War Serviceman threatened to ruin their family holiday.A mix-up over dates would have left the family, from Lakenheath, more than £1000 out of pocket after the Greek tour operator, Panorama and Manos holidays, refused to budge over rescheduling fees.
A SUFFOLK family is outraged today after a lack of compassion for a Gulf War Serviceman threatened to ruin their family holiday.
A mix-up over dates would have left the family, from Lakenheath, more than £1000 out of pocket after the Greek tour operator, Panorama and Manos holidays, refused to budge over rescheduling fees.
Stephen Halls was delighted to hear the news that his son-in-law would be released early from his six-months' service in Kuwait. This meant he would be able to join them on the family holiday.
Mr Halls telephoned the travel agents, Thomas Cook in Mildenhall, to alter the fortnight's trip to Zante, so that the RAF serviceman could travel with them, and paid the extra charge.
But the plans turned sour when the aircraft technician's early release did not come through. He would now miss the flight on May 15 so could not join the family on holiday unless they paid a fortune to rebook it.
Mr Halls said: "You hear all this about people being behind the forces in the Gulf but the tour operator just didn't seem to care. That was the price, end of story. I would lose £1,100 if I cancelled it but would have to pay an extra £500 on top of this to change the dates.
"Thomas Cook were very understanding and tried to do everything they could but the travel operator, Manos, would not help us out at all considering the circumstances."
The holiday, originally costing £2,220, was meant to be a break for Mr Halls, his wife Jane, his daughter Stefanie , and his two grandchildren to relieve some of the stress they had been under since his son-in-law went away. But the price had now escalated to £3,800 causing them more anxiety.
The cost of rescheduling the holiday was finally met by the family's insurance policy
No one from Manos was available for comment.
n.What do you think? Should the company have shown more compassion for the family's plight? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or have your say on the Evening Star forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk
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