Family cancels ‘dream trip’ to Singapore due to wrong Covid vaccine information

S Shyam Prasad | NT

Bengaluru: A travel operator has been ordered by a Consumer Commission to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to a family that had to cancel its ‘dream trip’ to Singapore after being given wrong information about a Covid vaccine.

“If the OP had acted diligently and made enquiry at the time of processing the visa the complainant would have taken proper vaccine which was recognised in Singapore at that time or they may have arranged for the trip after lifting of the ban on the vaccine. In spite of the repeated request by the complainants by sending emails on so many occasions the OP have not responded and they have not refunded the amount,” the Commission said, ordering the tour operator Thomas Cook to return the Rs 2,04,894 paid by the consumer for the tri, along with “compensation of Rs 1,00,000 towards damages and mental pain and agony suffered by the complainant and further directed to pay Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses to the complainant.”

Jyothi Basavaraju, a resident of Bengaluru and her minor daughter Aditi approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in the city against Thomas Cook, a tour operator alleging deficiency of service. The two along with other family members had planned a trip to Singapore and booked the holiday package with Thomas Cook. As per the tour plan when the family members arrived at the airport, the minor Aditi was not allowed in the flight to Singapore.

She was informed that persons who had taken Corbevax (a Covid vaccine for minors) were not allowed to travel to Singapore. Jyothi and Aditi had no option but to stay back while the other family members flew to Singapore for the holiday. Their complaint alleged deficiency of service and mismanagement by Thomas Cook. It was alleged that they were not informed about the vaccine by the operator.

The Consumer Commission accepted their contention and said, “It is clear from the evidence and the documents that the complainants have suffered mental agony and their dream to go to Singapore was suppressed by the attitude of the OP (opposite party).

The OP being a responsible tour conductor has not at all informed about the vaccine and they have informed about the technicalities till the end moment which made the complainants to depress and suppress their dreams.” The Commission also said that it was the duty of the operator to return the money for which they have not provided service for.

“When the OP has failed to arrange for the trip after receiving the entire package amount it is their duty to refund the amount. The complainants are not expected to pay the amount for the service not availed by them and it is also not provided by the OP. The second complainant (Aditi) who is a minor has underwent depression and suppressed her dreams in view of the cancellation of her trip at the end moment by informing the technicalities,” the Commission observed in its order.