Stranded in Mexico: "Canadians, please beware"
- April 22, 2009 5:22 PM |
- By Your Voice
Submitted by Bruce McDermid
Last week Conquest Vacations shut down its tour operations effective immediately. Many Canadians were stranded abroad and presented with large hotel bills while on vacation.
Wednesday, April 23 - Bruce McDermid and his wife arrived back in Canada after receiving a massive hotel bill and being stranded in Mexico.
Watch video of Bruce as he recounts their emotional journey.
Monday, April 20 - Earlier in the week, Shane McDermid sent in a report outlining his parents' struggle, as they were stranded in Mexico, facing a bill topping $7000.
Read his account of their plight below.
"My wife and I got back from a fabulous weeks vacation in Tulum Mexico for my Brothers wedding last Friday (April 10/09) morning, aside from a delay with Conquest/Skyservice boarding the plane (it seems Skyservice had no record of our party of 6's booking) we landed safely back in Toronto.
Here is where my great memories of Mexico turn SOUR.
On Wednesday morning I got a worried call from my wife explaining Conquest has declared bankruptcy, my parents who are staying at the resort (Dreams Tulum) are still there and are supposed to stay until the 21st. Around noon I get a panicked call from my Mother and Father from the resort, it seems Thursday morning they were politely delivered a bill from the hotel for the sum of $6572.00 in U.S. funds and were told they were unable to leave the resort until their bill was taken care of, otherwise the Mexican Authorities (the ones who carry fully automatic M-16 rifles) would be involved.
After a frantic afternoon I have the money in place for them to pay to be able to leave the resort. I have since talked to the travel agent and she explained that they must pay the hotels demands and file a claim with TICO upon their return, and maybe they'll be reimbursed. This is absolutely ridiculous, our family is VERY worried about my parents safe return and VERY, VERY frustrated to say the least. I have instructed my parents to find every Canadian on the resort and band together. Not sure what else to do... and this is just the tip of the iceberg, the story goes much deeper."
Read more travel horror stories.
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Comments (45)
Nothing like being held hostage to say Happy Easter. A digusting display of another company ignorant to its operational abilities and providing great customer service which is being proved to be a dinosaur today.
Another true cremation of care.
The government better get on this quick, Peter Mackay was useless at foreign affairs, hopefully Lawrence Cannon won't be.
Good morning.
Lets not get panicky about Mexico. Mexico is a great country with different laws and you have to keep that in mind. We are in Mexico right now enjoying the land and its people.
It sounds like someone in the US has taken advantige of you. We find Mexicanos the most gracious people. This is our 4th trip to Mexico and we spend a month and half camping on the beach.
Thank you from sunny and hot Baja.Viva Mexico.
Peter Kuchar
Smithers BC
How many horror stories do we need to hear coming out of Mexico before Canadians stop going down there? The police are corrupt, the government worse. And now the resorts are strong arming customers! How about we charge the hotel with hostage-taking? Try them in international court.
One more reason to stay away from Mexico. I can't believe Canadians still go to that joke of a country for vacation. Its time to wake up!
The treatment of Canadian tourists by resort operators in Mexico is shameful. They extended credit to Conquest Tours, not the tourists. Their grievance is therefor with Conquest and its banks. Compare their action with that of Sandals resort in Jamaica following the attempted hijacking of a Canjet aircraft. This had nothing to do with Sandals, yet they offered every single tourist on that aircraft a free vacation with them. I for one have stricken Mexico off my to visit list and will now consider Jamaica. Perhaps if more of us did the same it might change the attitude of the resort operators in Mexico.
typical ....anyone who travels via mexico should receive one way tickets
I have several friends who have been treated very badly in Mexico and will never go there again.
Never.
I had a horrendous episode some years ago and will never set foot on Mexican soil again. Never.
Why not vacation in Canada ?
There is plenty of sun, if you look in the right places.
The people are friendly, and we speak the same language.
The food is great, and you won't get sick drinking the water.
Try this:
$5000 could get you a 1 week vacation for two, First Class accommodation and meals, from Toronto to Vancouver, and back... On VIA Rail.
[My parents did it a couple of years ago. ]
Although this is an unfortunate situation, I can see the resort's point on this- they don't care that some tour operator in Canada when under, they just want to get paid. Of course their methods are less than genial and the policia here are nefarious at times, but the upshot is that Dreams needs to be paid for their services. I hope compensation will be found through TICO- they did help me when Canada 3000 went under years ago, although it did take a bit of time.
Not an enviable situation I agree, but not as worrisome as it appears. Pay bill, arrange reimbursement, and in the future use a travel agent that would have told you not to go with a slipshod operation like Conquest in the first place.
Best of luck
DH from TO in PV
Where is our Foreign Affairs Dept in all of this? I understand that we should not be babysitted abroad when WE screw up but this is completely unacceptable especially in view of the fact that Tourism Mexico is constantly advertising in Canada for our tourist dollars. I also heard that this is happening in other Caribbean countries. Terrible. I certainly won't be planning a trip to Mexico. Palm Desert CA might not be as cheap but it is certainly safer.
There is always two sides to a coin, I know of a few cases of Canadian tourist trying to take advantage of the services provided and then cry and complaint. Some people think that they can outsmart the Mayan looking individuals and take advantage. Come on!
We just reurned from Mexico and were treated royally. If you listen carefully to the person being interviewed, it is not the Mexicans it is the Ower of the resort which is American. Iwill return many times.
I was in Acapulco about twenty years ago. The Canadian tour operator declared bankruptcy, and the Canadian charter airline did so too. Additionally, the Mexican hotel was in bankruptcy. The hotel wanted us turistas to pay directly, but everyone told them to @#$%$#.
The Ontario government sent an airplane to pick us up, and all was good. Plus, it was a really cheap holiday.
After having lived in Mexico for 4 years this does not surprise. Mexican laws all favor the Mexican and if you are a foreigner they can and will incarcerate you. Just pay the mordida (bribe) and do not go back. Yes those gracious Mexicans will treat you wonderfully as long as they can get some dinero from you but watch it if they think you owe them something. I have one friend trying to get her house back after hiring a Mexican caretaker for her home while she was here in Canada. She returned to find he had moved his whole family in and was claiming her home as his own. The legal fiasco that has dragged on for three years now is ludicrous. They will do anything for a dollar in that impoverished country. I now vacation in Maui as it is much safer, honest and clean. Viva Mexico till you are the next victim!
as long as you dont have any money left youre fine.
"use a travel agent that would have told you not to go with a slipshod operation like Conquest in the first place."
As a travel professional, I need to say that this comment is completely wrong. Conquest had been in business for 37 years with no evidence that there was reason to be worried. Times are tough right now, and all we can really do is hope for the best when purchasing a product from any company. There is no crystal ball to predict which businesses will stay afloat and which will go under in this economy. Yes, we hope that any company would be forthright enough to advise the public of financial difficulties, but this does not usually occur. Travel agencies sold Conquest in good faith. Please do not place blame on a travel agency for selling the Conquest product.
We used to vacation in Mexico. But haven't done so in years now. The corruption by drug lords, bad food, and now flu viruses have made it a place to stay away from. Not to mention travel agencies going bankrupt and stranding all of their paying customers! How disgraceful and rude!!!!!!!!!!
First of all, Conquest was not a slipshod tour operator. I have used them several times over the past 20 years. They have simply gone broke. It can happen to any travel agent. Secondly, the problems do not lie with the Mexicans, as the resort is American owned! Think about that for a moment. And lastly, if Candadians want an affordable, tropical vacation, why not go to Cuba? Air Canada can arrange it for you. And there are no American owned resorts in Cuba, so I can't see this happening there.
Does it make any difference to mention this: "(the ones who carry fully automatic M-16 rifles) would be involved.", what does the RCMP use?... balloons?, esponges?, I don't think so.
I am dumbfounded at the negative comments about Mexico. My wife & I have been there several times and have found the the people to be incredibly hospitable. The weather and location are fantastic! Typically the people complaining about Mexico are the ones complaining about everything in life. I would highly recommend this country as a vacation destination. As far as the conquest issue, well you pay for what you get. Choose a reputable company for your travel and do your homework on your vacation.
I think those people got bluffed into paying $8000 that they didn't have to. They should have walked out and gone to the Mexican police. The hotel could not keep them prisoner under Mexican law. Besides that, I don't expect that most of the people had that much money, so what did the resort do about that?
I can't believe how people think have the right to talk about a country. Yes, in Mexico exist drugs, yes, because countries "first world" like here, or USA buy the drugs. How we gonna stop the narcotrafic if the people here still buying?? Do you ever saw how you people treatment the Mexicans?? If you have any complain about some country, keep your comments for yourself. It's not fear only because a poor country like Mexico is living some hard time, you can split all your poison. Remember, life is fear and that can happen to you or you family. Please, if you don't have nothing good, or smart to say, try to keep your comment.
It is really sad to read such harsh comments about Mexico and make it look like it is the worst place to visit.
I wonder what would it happened if the situation would have been the opposite, tourist stranded in Canada because the travel agency from their country went bankruptcy? I do not think the hotel would just tell them "Oh I am sorry about that but do not worry no need to pay the outstanding bill"
Also, be more intelligent and do research when traveling, there is issues in all places, what about Europe and tourist getting robe, kidnapped or murdered? But as usual, because Mexico is a poor third world country is easy to blame and label like a awful place to visit.
OMG!! completly agree with Luis. You CANADIANS who are saying Shi.. about Mexico, PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT GO BACK TO MEXICO AT ALL!! They do not need cheap, stinky, drunk people like you as we can see everytime on the beautiful places in Mexico (lots of canadians get all drunk, drug, stoned, on the streets, destroy suits in the hotels etc etc)
In Mexico they have lots, belive me, lots of tourists: europeans, americans and from all over the world visiting Mexico each year more respect and educated people (plus have money)than these ones writing shi...with their comments.
HOW ABOUT HOW YOU TREAT MEXICANS,ASIANS ETC ?? please first take a look at your "1st world country"
go downtown Vancouver Hastings and Main St you can see lots of "1st world country citizens"
FORTUNATLY THERE STILL LOTS OF CANADIANS WHO ARE WONDERFUL PERSONS IM JUST WRINTING ABOUT THE OTHER KIND OF PEOPLE WHO PLEASE: DONT GO BACK TO MEXICO EVER, THEY DONT NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU!! and belive me, they will survive without you visiting them!
Some people's comments are pretty sensible, but others on here are quite absurd. This is a terrible thing to happen on any vacation and I would not wish this on anyone.
That being said, hotels are within their right to collect payment from guests individually and failure to pay for food and lodging is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions in Canada as well as in other countries. Hotels in most jurisdictions have a lien on personal property against the guest belongings and have the right to lock out a guest until payment is received.
Anyways it's a terrible situation for everyone involved, but the best thing to do in this situation is to pay the bill, and then fight it when you get home. Telling the hotel that you are not going to pay the bill is just going to escalate things to the point of where they will call the police. That's the same in all countries, and the same in Canada too.
We are currently in Mexico and vacation here every year and have since the late 70's (wish I could have come sooner!). Yes, there are some problems here but problems exist everywhere! After travelling Mexico for all these years, I highly recommend it to anyone. This was simply an unfortunate situation and I suspect you will be reimbursed via your travel insurance - good thing your agent advised you to get some - often they don't!!!
As for the flu here - apparently 15,000 people die annually in the U.S. of flu and related complications - why all the negative publicity about this flu in Mexico. Are we sure it's from Mexico - there's quite a few cases in the U.S. I'm sure people have had disputes with hotels there as well. Adios.
Mike in TO... well said. No more bad things happen to Canadians in Mexico than can and do happen to Canadians in Canada. The last Canadian I recall who got killed here about a year ago fell off a hotel balcony while in a drunken stupor. Yet some people had the audacity to suggest he may have been pushed off since there are so many bad people down there, fanning hatred and ignorance as displayed by some in these comments today. Overall, Mexicans are cordial and optimistic people, friendly and fun to be around. It must the latitude.
Over the last few years we have all heard so many of these horror stories of the travel agencies and airlines going bankrupt. I would never use one for this reason alone, they have no safe guards in place for their clients. I don't understand why they are not required to put up a bond to cover their clients for such a isuue. With the Internet today, its just so easy to book your own package for travel. I have completely stopped using travel agents and done my own research and booking. I also use a credit card that has an insurance package to cover my purchases so when I travel my tickets and reservations are covered even if I do have to rebook a flight or hotel.
Mexico is a beautiful country, and I am saddened that the swine flu will likely do to their tourist industry what SARS did to ours. That said, many of these comments make me question whether or not people actually talk to the 'locals' when they visit Mexico. Do they get off resort & experience what the country has to offer (and not just in the pre-packaged excursions)? Different does not mean bad. And it is likely that you're going to find your vacation in Maui or Palm Springs much more akin to your life here in Canada, for there is a difference in geography, but not really much in demography. Besides, in either one of those locales, they may not carry guns, but they would certainly expect you to pay your bill before you left!
Well... after read all this terrible comments about my country i don't know what to say...
In these moments we'r crossing a difficult situation for the "Swin flu"... our schools, parks, movie theaters, and more places are closed...my mom and dad are really worried becouse their works are closed too and How are they going to get some money to survive??...tell me ..would you like to be in this situation?.. I think no... so with this comments that you are doing aren't help us...please keep them for another time...not all the mexican are like you are describing us...we are hard work people who wants a different country...we are fighting to change all this bad reputation for the mexican people...thanks for your kindess of read this humble words.
Terrible situation you experience.
But stop and think.
Some travel company went broke. That happens all around the world, the outcome is not a joy ride. There should be a law to guarantee payment for the services specially when you pay upfront. Talk to your MP and suggest a posistive outcome of this. Our banking system is solid because our regulations and discipline. There are travel advisories post your comment, I will like to see a management that offers options and work with you. They loose more because you are not returning. Business is built in loyalty. Dont forget if you said is a US management company so there is great chances you will be trated like that in the states.
And when we speak to the public we have to be careful, What if they say Toronto is not a safe place to travel because of SARS. Could strike again? Mexico is a country with lots of problems but we have ours too. My first trip to TO I almost have my video camera stolen, I still go I am more carefull but I teach my family about not to fear just take precautions.
Good Luck
I have a trip to scheduled for May 20th to go to Mexico. This will be my fifth year. My experience is with the everyday people of Mexico going to school to better their personal lives and are very fun loving humble people. Their enthusiasm to share what little they have has been such an inspiration to me that is what motivates me to want to go back. If this Swine Flu issue gets blown out of porportion to the point of banning any travel to Mexico it will be a very sad day.
I have been travelling to Mexico since 1896 and now I go about three times a year.
The only problems I've had ( seriously ) are getting into arguments with ignorant Americans.
As for the safety of the place I visit...I would NEVER walk in the dark alone on ANY street in Edmonton yet in Mexico I feel completely safe doing so.
As for the so called BAD food and BAD water...guess what?
When Mexicans visit Canada and eat our GREAT food and water...THEY get sick!!! Suck back your heavily chemically treated tapwater all you lucky 1st. world Canadians, eat your greasy rotten fast food and hope that you don't get struck down with cancer ( a disease that is relatively RARE in Mexico )
As for the comment someone made about Mexican law favouring the Mexicans...what do you expect? IT'S MEXICO!!!!! Why WOULDN'T their laws favour them?
Travel insurance is all the more important after these horror stories. Sorry about the stressful time that family is having. Mexico is a beautiful country and the people we have met on our trips to the Mayan Riviera were all very courteous and friendly. The economic problems that this health crisis will bring to that country are going to be severe on top of the global recession. Mexico - there are a lot of Canadians wishing you well.
Dave Hammel and Monique.
Just a quick FYI. The Dreams Resorts which Manages the Tulum Resort is a US company, AM Resorts based in PA, USA.
The comment below from "Judy":
If you listen carefully to the person being interviewed, it is not the Mexicans it is the Ower of the resort which is American. Iwill return many times."
The gentlmen interviewed clearly stated that Dreams Tulum was taking their direction from AM Resorts based in Philadelphia in the United States of AMERICA! Q-tip???
Wow!! -- Listen Canadians... Bad or sad experiences from your part doesn't mean Mexico is a bad place to visit. You can go anywhere you want, you can also stop travelling to Mexico for ever, but Mexico won't stop being the great country it is. Is Canada the perfect place to live/visit? -- Think about it, if you can.
Well, it's too bad to read about situations like this, but definitely lack of information, or the misinformation that exists regarding traveling to any Third World country.
The very first time I came to Canada I advised the Mexican consulate that I'm here, second...
No cash, only traveler checks, this is Canada, there's, lots of Homeless people, junkies, and cultures already known because their violent behavior like middle East people that usually run with AK47's shooting the Skies, I've saw them in CNN.
My 13 year old Daughter was instructed about all the pedophile problems to be aware in Canada. She was about to use the not SO safe TTC.
The very first time she used the TTC and pays with a child ticket the operator was rude and told her she was older, and then the guy asked her to step away from the bus.
It was 10 pm, in the "safest" Canada, but I fill a complaint, nothing happened... why she was using the horrible public transportation in first place? She told me she wants to travel and walk the city the way natives do.
Bad idea, somebody, a 40 something tries to touched her days later, even invited her to have a piece of cake cos' she was pretty...
She told that to the ticket booth guy... nothing happened he never try to get out the booth and run after the guy... like in the Canadian TV series, not Canadian heroes for us right?
But, maybe because she was Mexican? Or because her Mocha color? Or just because it was not his job? Who cares...
I've been treated so well in Canada; I was paying 16,000 CAD/mo. living in the four seasons, 8 CAD for a bottle of water?
Canadians will dance for a Tip ask me about it, they will get me a car, carry my luggage, and called me Sr. that’s good they should call me Sr.
They treated me well, of course, I was hired by a Canadian IT company, they offer me a Holiday Inn stay, and anyway I've used this trip to take my family for a vacation.
One horrible brownish-towelhead-bearded cabbie guy charged me 60 CAD, and he wanted a Tip too?
I was robbed on Bloor and Dufferin TTC, it was 7 PM, I'm still waiting to get my wallet back from the "water pistol-police officers" they should carry M-16's I've heard Afro-Canadians carry uzi's in Jane and Finch area.
But, what if I never speak about the friends my daughter found, all races and Nationalities (except the stupid ignorant people asking stupid questions about nachos and potable water)
I work with wonderful Canadian people, doesn’t matter if your ignorance is giving me trouble to put my daughter at school because she is living in a hotel… First world? Sure, should I tell my friends to come here? Well, only in case they want to throw some money, there’s nothing to see, just trees, ice, plains, trees ice, some aboriginals infested the Calgary downtown that are always Drunk. So the Montreal downtown etc.
But I can keep saying stupid and nonsense things… just the way I’ve read above, I only came here for business, nothing more, and by the way, If you don’t have enough money to go on vacation you can always stay on you igloos and watch the hockey games drinking piss-like beer, and eating chicken wings I personally use that to feed my dogs)… ohh almost forgot, keep crying for your WWII veterans and all you hypocrite way of life.
Enjoy Canada EHH
Everyone needs to settle down. The racism in this sickens me. The only worthwhile note was the one from the child. I have lived in Puerto Vallarta for 6 years with my wife, I am a retired medical professional from Canada. We considered leaving when the panic on the news struck, but we are so thankful we didn't. The response by the government has been praised world wide, this flu is treatable, medical services here are fantastic, we aren't at all concerned.
Back to the racism and safety issues.
What happened to these people was deplorable. But with the millions of visitors that come here every year there are going to be incidents without a doubt.
No different than problems I have encountered traveling in Europe, Canada, or the US.
Mexico is a wonderful country and the Mexican people are amazing, warm, and a barrel of laughs. I feel safer here walking the streets than in any other major city I have been in, by far. My grandkids 10-16 run around here like the own the place and they have tons of Mexican friends they visit four times a year.
The resorts are slow, life is slow, the beer is $5 a bucket, it is sunny until 9, the beaches are beautiful, what's the problem?
See you soon.
To Luis (12 years) - Not all Canadians hate Mexicans. Some of us feel sad for what your country is going through. Not just the people who are sick, but the whole devastation on your economy.
When I heard reports that Mexico was being shut down, I felt so awful for all the millions of workers who would be worrying and struggling to put food on their table and pay their bills. To feed their children - like you. I can't imagine not being able to work for a week without being financially devastated.
Are we Canadians so blindly arrogant that we can't have the kind of compassion that Luis is begging for?
It seems that this flu is being capitalized by intolerant people as an excuse to hate all Mexicans.
Corruption is a bigger pandemic than the Swine Flu, how often has the Canadian government been in hot water for one scandal after another?
I hope the best for all the struggling workers in Mexico.
We live in Mazatlan eight months of the year. The need to panic has devastated our city as the cruise ships are cancelled for months and incoming tourists freak and change their plans. Mazatlan has no swine flu. No tourist has died from bullets either. It is a great place to live and thrive. Amazing facilities for your needs and the people want your business. Rethink your cancellations and check your facts. Anyone think it may be keeping dollars home in Canada and US and that the media might be manipulating this yet one more time? Think independently and keep with your plans. All is good. One bad apple does not damage the entire barrel.
Let's get some perspective on this whole thing. Hoping the vacationer feels safe at home and can manage to take more then a poor expereince from the trip. Hoping the Country can also find something more then one sided dialouge from his experience. Come on let's put some PERSPECTIVE on the issues we learn about in the media- that is the purpose of information is it not?
A hotel cannot hold you hostage. Just walk out. They will have to sue you, and since their contract is with a tour company, it won't fly. Also, it takes weeks to even get a claim into court, so you just walk out of the hotel.
The minute someone threatens you or touches you, you can sue the hotel.
I was born in Mexico and have been living in Canada for many years. I have been blessed that I have been able to return to Mexico at least once a year with my wife and my son and daughter.
We have a wonderful family living in Mexico City and yes, there are many problems with corruption in all sorts of aspects in that country, from politicians, police, government officials etc. etc.
Mexico is going through a very difficult time. The tourist industry was hit so hard that many tourist related businesses have closed down or may be in the way out.
I believe that swine flu epidemic was blown out of proportion and I wander if there were some hidden motives by tourists offices and perhaps Canadian and North American organizations that profited from this.
As of the many negative comments made by several readers, is easy to understand where this comments come from. These are the type of tourists that are the one week package deal to a resort on a beach that spend there day drinking beer and showing their repulsive figures to the detriment of the beautiful landscapes where they are lucky to be able to visit.
The majority of Mexicans are wonderful people, warm and very grateful to receive travelers from all over the world. Mexico has hidden treasures that obviously the people that make those negative insulting comments because of their ignorance will never be able to enjoy and experience.
No matter what the financial considerations there may be, the first worry about this case should be that these two individuals will now be a concern for the communities where they belong. When you know that a severe flu is wide spread, what the H... you were doing there at the first place?