MP demands strict action against erring tour operators

A Gujarat MP today demanded stringent action against tour operators and travelling companies who leave their customers unattended in times of trouble, especially during foreign trips.
In a letter to Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi, BJP MP Balkrishna Shukla has urged the Centre to immediately address the issue of a city-based couple, who was left in lurch at Switzerland after one of them fell sick.
Shukla told reporters here that he has written to Chiranjeevi today in this regard and has requested him to initiate action against those travel companies who fail to live up to their promise and standards.
Vadodara's Animesh Shah, his wife Priyanka along with their two children Dhwani and Dhwanit had chosen an Ahmedabad- based tour operator for a 14-day European tour, which commenced on May 18.

After reaching a city in Switzerland, Priyanka suddenly fell sick on night of May 21. Her husband Animesh made repeated calls to the tour manager to help then as they were in distress and found it difficult to communicate in English, the MP said.
Also, the family was unaware of the medical facilities there. After the tour manager failed to provide assistance, her husband managed to get her to a hospital which advised him to shift his wife to Zurich for better treatment, Shukla said.

The manager ignored repeated pleas for help from the stranded couple and left them without informing, he claimed.

On learning about their difficulties, Shukla said he contacted the External Affairs ministry and Swiss embassy for providing medical facilities to Priyanka who was kept on ventilator in a hospital at Zurich. Her father-in-law Lalit Shah was also helped to reach Switzerlannd after getting visa.
"The company management is not bothered to attend to complaints during the tour and after its completion. The staff is ignorant and stringent action should be taken against them," Shukla demanded.
The couple, who was present at the press conference, shared their travel nightmare and alleged non-cooperation from the manager towards the customers.
"Infact, the government should cancel the licence granted to the tour operator and keep him off from the approved list of operator and travelling companies," the couple said.

Shukla said he will also take up the matter with Gujarat tourism minister Saurbh Patel.