UPDATE: A man’s dream holiday with Tui turned into a shocking ordeal after he was violently attacked by a hotel staff member, leading to a substantial compensation payout. Ryan Mendelson, from Manchester, was awarded £18,000 after suffering an unprovoked assault at the Hotel RIU Touraeg just before his trip ended.
The incident unfolded on the penultimate day of Mendelson’s two-week vacation, where he was enjoying time at the hotel’s bar-pool area. Suddenly, a member of the entertainment team struck him from behind, causing his knee to buckle. “I felt my knee click, twist and go out of place, and I fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes,” Mendelson recounted. The attack left him in shock and resulted in a serious injury that required surgery.
Witnesses rushed to his aid, pouring water on him as he lay in pain, waiting for assistance. “Mum was distraught. There were no first-aiders around the pool and no hotel staff to help,” he recalled. The attacker, who repeatedly apologized, was forced to assist Mendelson to the reception, as no other personnel were available.
Mendelson was subsequently taken to a local hospital by ambulance, incurring charges of 860 Euros for his treatment. “Missing the flight was soul-destroying,” he said, as he and his family were ultimately delayed in returning home.
Upon returning to the UK, an MRI scan revealed a torn medial patellofemoral ligament, necessitating surgery. Mendelson expressed frustration with Tui’s handling of the situation, describing their response as “scatty, arrogant and dismissive.” He urged hotels to respect personal boundaries, stating, “Animation teams are always over-friendly, but this was something completely different and totally unacceptable.”
Paul Rimmer, a legal expert involved in Mendelson’s case, labeled it “an extraordinary case” of mistreatment by a major hotel chain. “Put simply, Ryan was mistreated from the outset,” Rimmer stated, criticizing Tui’s inadequate support during the crisis. He highlighted a troubling trend among tourism companies neglecting customer care during emergencies.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for RIU Hotels & Resorts expressed regret over Mendelson’s injury, attributing it to a “misguided attempt at a playful interaction” that was never meant to cause harm. They affirmed their commitment to guest safety and confirmed the matter has been settled.
As tourists continue to navigate potential dangers while abroad, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and accountability in the hospitality industry. The Mendelson family’s experience underscores the need for immediate support and the pursuit of justice when vacations take a turn for the worse.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.
