UPDATE: A man’s dream holiday with Tui has spiraled into a living nightmare following an unprovoked attack by a hotel staff member at the Hotel RIU Touraeg. Ryan Mendelson, 28, from Manchester, was awarded £18,000 in compensation after suffering serious injuries that required surgery.
The incident occurred just two days before Ryan’s holiday was set to end. He was enjoying the pool area when a member of the entertainment team unexpectedly kneed him in the back of the knee. “I felt my knee click, twist and go out of place, and I fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes,” Ryan recounted. The attack left him in shock and unable to move.
Other guests rushed to help, pouring water on him while waiting for a wheelchair. Ryan’s mother was reportedly distraught, as there were no first-aiders available. “The guy from the animation team kept apologising but was forced to take me to reception as there was no-one else around,” Ryan said.
After the attack, Ryan was taken to a local hospital by ambulance where he was charged 860 Euros for treatment. Adding to the chaos, the family was initially told they would have to pay for an additional night in the hotel due to the incident. “We told them we’d contact every newspaper in the world if we had to,” Ryan said, highlighting the urgency of their situation.
Back in the UK, an MRI scan revealed Ryan had torn a medial patellofemoral ligament, necessitating surgery. He stated, “Missing the flight was soul-destroying,” as he was forced to book two extra seats on the return journey, wearing a leg brace for support.
Ryan criticized Tui’s “scatty, arrogant and dismissive” response to the incident. He urged hotel staff to respect personal boundaries, saying, “Animation teams are always over-friendly… but this was completely unacceptable.”
Accident abroad specialist Paul Rimmer, who represented Ryan, called the case “extraordinary.” He emphasized the disgraceful treatment Ryan received from the hotel and Tui, claiming they failed to provide adequate support during the ordeal. “It was tantamount to a physical assault from an employee working at a world-renowned hotel chain,” he said.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for RIU Hotels & Resorts expressed regret over the situation, stating that the attack stemmed from a “misguided attempt at a playful interaction.” The spokesperson confirmed that the matter has been fully investigated and settled with Ryan.
As Ryan Mendelson’s case highlights the potential dangers that can arise during vacations, it serves as a reminder for travelers to seek immediate legal advice if they experience similar incidents abroad. The growing trend of inadequate customer support from tourism companies raises concerns regarding traveler safety and well-being.
This shocking incident continues to resonate among holidaymakers, and the Mendelsons’ experience may prompt a wider discussion about the responsibilities of hotel staff and the support provided by travel companies in times of crisis.
