We have recently been approached by a group of 80 holidaymakers from around the world who were brought together by a dire holiday experience. Travellers from Australia, USA and Dubai, were so disappointed by their (supposed) organised trip to Europe that they have asked us to help.

The holidaymakers booked with a well respected Coach Tour company to show them the highlights of Europe over a 12 day period. The reports we have suggest that it was the European holiday from Hell. They were promised "value for money and a high standard of service", but they got nothing of the sort.

For a princely sum the holiday-makers would have expected a princely service. However, upon gathering for the first morning of the tour, it soon became clear that the tour reps present were woefully ill equipped to manage a group of that size. Corners were cut, which meant the group were forced to endure cramped conditions on just one coach. Meals were often served at the roadside during relief breaks, and they were often fed the same meal each day.

Most significantly, poor time management meant that the group were often only allowed minutes in front of Europe’s most famous sights, rather than the hours which were promised at the time of booking. Some destinations and excursions were missed altogether. This had a significant impact on the group’s enjoyment of the holiday.

Towards the end of the holiday, the group, many of whom were complete strangers and who come from across the globe, were all in agreement that they deserved some compensation for their loss of enjoyment.

As a result the holidaymakers have instructed us to pursue holiday compensation claim in the form of a group action against the tour operator, whereby the claim against the tour operator is brought by the entire group, rather than by just one individual. Usually in group actions one member of the party shall act as spokesman for the group; however, at all times the entire group is kept up to speed with the course of events.

Often in claims such as this the holiday company will try to divide the group and contact people separately and exploit their possibly weaker position. The unity of the holiday claim group should allow a much stronger bargaining position, and should produce a greater reward of compensation for each member of the tour. The group are hopeful that this action brings awareness and hope to those who have also endured tour group holidays to forget.

Nolan Mortimer, Partner at national law firm colemans-ctts solicitors said:

"It's clear from the strength of feeling in this group that something went badly wrong. Some of these people had saved for years to come to Europe and see what it has to offer. They didn't get what they paid for and many of them will be unable to come back here to try and enjoy the experiences they missed out on. It's simply not good enough for tourists coming into Europe to be treated in this way."