FTI declares bankruptcy - The occurrence at the hotel was quite unexpected: Guests with disabilities were asked to leave.
A travel agency called FTI recently declared bankruptcy, leaving many vacationers stunned and their summer vacations canceled. This news is particularly devastating for those who were already on their way with FTI when the announcement was made. Contrary to the official regulations stating that the trips should be ended promptly, there have been reports of chronic incidents: hotels locking out their guests, demanding exorbitant sums, or refusing to arrive. Travel guide Matthias Suraj shares his own experience.
We departed on Monday morning at 4 a.m. with 22 people. The plan was a week-long stay at a 4-star hotel in the Turkish tourist destination of Lara. Prior to our journey, we had received no messages from the travel agency or tour operator FTI, indicating any problems with our upcoming trip. In Turkey, our arrival was a relief as the journey went so smoothly.
I had already been anxious beforehand that everyone had their passports, luggage was packed correctly, and that no one was sleeping. Traveling with people with mental disabilities, something could always go wrong. However, everything went smoothly initially: at the Antalya Airport, there was an FTI meeting point where a staff member sent us to our tour bus. The bus then transported us to the hotel. Our accommodation was one of the numerous hotel complexes that exist in Lara, almost as big as a new construction district.
Before we could even enter the hotel lobby, hotel staff took our luggage. The anticipation of a relaxing week was strong. At the hotel check-in, a young woman approached the caregivers and asked if we spoke English. When I confirmed this, she said there was a problem because the tour operator hadn't paid for the accommodation yet. Despite it being standard practice for tour operators to pay for lodging only after the trip, she was aware of the FTI bankruptcy and requested that we pay for the seven-night stay on-site. We, on the other hand, didn't know that FTI had filed for bankruptcy - the press conference occurred while we were already en route to Turkey.
We suddenly found ourselves in a predicament, getting billed for around 12,000 euros or facing the prospect of spending the night on the streets of Turkey. Since we had booked all-inclusive, we had almost no cash on hand to cover the demanded amount. I tried to negotiate at least one night in the hotel on our own - we were all exhausted from the journey, and some of our companions needed medication or a specific sleeping arrangement. Unfortunately, the hotel staff had not received any negotiation leeway from management.
Therefore, it was either pay for the entire seven-night stay or leave. This came as a surprising shock, especially when it was reported in news coverage of the FTI bankruptcy: "Trips that have already started can still take place."
While we tried to find a place to stay for the night, some of the travelers were crying and feeling anxious. Oddly enough, we were treated differently by hotel staff as opposed to other tourists who had chosen different tour operators. We were not at fault for not paying for the accommodation - we had transferred the money to FTI.
Though FTI offered no support, we were fortunate to have the assistance of an employee from the Gehlsdorf Travel Agency where we had reserved the trip. She was initially shocked at our mistreatment on-site, but quickly responded - organizing return flights for us at her own expense.
We were allowed to eat something in the hotel before we had to take taxis back to the airport and spend the night there. The first flight, with 15 passengers, took off on Tuesday morning. The rest could be accommodated on a plane to Hamburg. I returned the remaining participants to their homes on Tuesday night.
Had I been alone, I would have spent the night on the beach and arranged return transportation or find other accommodation. As a caregiver for 18 people with disabilities, the responsibility was significant. However, we managed admirably as a group and worked together to navigate this unexpected situation. Each traveler pitched in, adjusting to the circumstance. It was heartening to perceive the sentiment of gratitude from them for the caregivers' ongoing efforts to make the best of it. In addition, I am immensely grateful to the lady from the travel agency for her support, as I'm uncertain how things would have turned out without her assistance.
The future is uncertain, and it'll likely take some time for the FTI insurance plan to kick in and refunds to be issued. I genuinely hope that the participants will be able to recover their money – some of them had even used their remaining annual holidays for the Turkey trip, which will sadly not be reimbursed. And let's not forget about the employee at the travel agency dealing with this mess. At least, a handful of Turkey participants will join us on a trip to the Mecklenburg Lake District next week. This will be a different trip altogether, but they'll get the chance to unwind in some bungalows we were able to book last minute. Although, it's not the same as Turkey, it may provide a bit of respite from all the stress.
Read also:
Despite the Gehlsdorf Travel Agency managing to secure return flights for the stranded group, the tour operator FTI's financial insolvency left many passengers struggling with unpaid hotel bills. This issue was particularly concerning for those traveling with individuals with disabilities, as they were unable to afford the sudden demand for payment.
Following the FTI bankruptcy declaration, numerous tour operators have been scrutinized for their financial stability, raising concerns among travelers planning future vacations with such companies.
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