A British tourist has been forced to isolate after contracting a bacterial infection during a high-cost holiday with travel company TUI. Tony Wallace, 59, and his wife Alison Wallace, 57, were celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary with a £6,000 trip to Jamaica when Tony fell seriously ill. His condition was later diagnosed as salmonella, leading the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to advise him to stay at home for recovery.
The couple had long anticipated their trip to Jamaica, arriving at the all-inclusive Sunset at the Palms resort on June 20, 2022. Billed as a five-star adults-only retreat, the resort offers a variety of dining options, including buffet meals and a la carte restaurants. However, Tony described the food as “awful” and “disgusting,” claiming it was often served from “silver troughs” and that reheated meals were common.
Tony recounted feeling unwell while enjoying a beach day. He stated, “On July 1, I fell ill… and I mean seriously ill – like collapsing. It was just horrendous. It ruined the whole holiday.” His symptoms included severe stomach pains, dizziness, and what he called “the most horrendous diarrhoea” imaginable.
After seeking help at the hotel, Tony found that there were no medical facilities on-site. Hotel staff provided limited assistance, offering Pepto-Bismol but advising against a taxi to the hospital due to safety concerns. He remarked, “I gained no help whatsoever, and I couldn’t even get hold of the TUI rep because the app was down.”
Despite enduring the rest of their holiday, Tony struggled during the return flight, having to inform the cabin crew about his frequent trips to the toilet. “You can imagine travelling back on a plane for 10 hours with horrendous stomach cramps,” he said.
Upon returning to Portsmouth, Tony visited the Accident and Emergency department, where medical staff requested a stool sample. He was subsequently notified by Portsmouth City Council to stop working due to the salmonella infection traced back to July 1, when he was still at the resort.
Salmonella is a serious bacterial infection typically contracted through contaminated food or water, often leading to painful symptoms and requiring urgent medical attention. Tony expressed his disgust with TUI, stating that the holiday provider refused to issue a refund and suggested he pursue legal action if he wanted to take further steps.
He was particularly frustrated by TUI’s response, which included a claim that he could have contracted the infection elsewhere. “What more can you do when you’ve got photographic evidence and an email from the UKHSA?” he said. “It’s all there in black and white. I am absolutely disgusted with TUI. We’ve holidayed with them for years, but I’ve said now, take me off your records. I want nothing to do with this company whatsoever.”
TUI has been contacted for comment regarding this incident.
