Hi,
I have been following this topic for a little bit... mainly whist I have been out in Fethiye with my girlfiend.
Firstly the mandatory forum introduction... Im a 28 yr old IT and Graphics teacher from near the midlands in the UK. I have been coming to Turkey for the last few years (about 5 or 6) in the summer and easter holidays...for a bit of sun in the August, and outdoor activities in the cooler months.
I am an avid walkier, climber, and horse rider, but generally anything outdoorsy or adrenaline fuelled is what I like.
I came across C&T a few years back, myself and my sister headed out to Fethiye for a week to have our annual 'meet up and do' holiday. We tried a few companies, but being a bit of a web geek I came across C&T when trying to book a boat tour.
Over the years i have come back to them and tried (I would reckon) all the activities they have to offer. With exception to the Jeep Safari...water pistols and tours around ruins is a bit strange....
I have always found the staff online, in the offices, on the phone and face to face very helpful. I have often found them having to negotiate issues on activities, and found them reasonable. Their trips have always been good value...for me at least!
What I have also noticed is that for the majority of tourists (and Im thinking particularly the ones who want to swim with dolphins...I have seen the report) is that they tend to leave their common sense at the door of the plane when they land.
On my last trip out I too have seen Horse riding parties (Karakoy...spelling?)out and about ... horses looking thin, heavier people on their backs, stable boys pulling them. What I didnt see were the actual tourists questioning things. They seemed slightly zombiefied... as if its okay.
Reading the comments on here its clear that people have something in to 'Judith', I dont know the history between the banter of all of you on here, I dont know if you guys know each other....
The reason for posting on this topic....
and lets get back to the core of this discussion...not the name calling, not the playground he said she said...or the 'im better than you' definitions of words from the Oxford Dictionary... or even the silly jokes...
The core of this is someone/a family has taken a trip (paid for upfront) found it to be of poor standard on arrival, continued with the event in the hope that it gets better... despite realising that...
"we were not asked if we had ever rode before "
and realising that....
"my son was given a horse that was not friendly"
and ten minutes into the activity (assuming that the timer started when mounting the horse in the stables)
"after ten minutes up a steep hill tried to turn round fell and nearly crushed him"
after this the family, probably (hopefully) aware that things would probably get worse based (upon some kind of common sense) continued...
I can understand the lack of feeling safe. If a large animal like that fell on me (im of geek build) I ..and im guessing 99% of other people on here would agree... would probably have called it a day. If this had happened to my child (I dont have any yet... so Im forecasting my actions)...I would probably have stopped right there, gone to the stables and waited until the bus back.
on returning I would have gone straight to the offices (or the place where I booked the event... could have easily been another operator..as I would guess the majority of them use these places), and asked for my money back.
I dont think i would have gone along with the event...considering my son would probably be a little shocked? or at least shaken...
In short I think you make the whole argument a little bad on yourself if you take part in the activity despite having concerns about safety etc. the complaints procedure would have worked out better I would guess if you had refused to take part.
Ok. now for the company angle...
Tour Operators and Travel Agencies DO have a responsibility for the people that they have as customers. They have to ensure "to the best of their ability' that the activities are safe, comply with local law.... the key here is local law. Especially with local based businesses.
However, there is an element of personal responsibility as well. In a one day Horse trekking adventure day it is unreasonable to assume that you will learn the ins and outs of horse riding (im assuming...) Nor is it reasonable to assume that you should have the correct equipment yourself. Training and equipment should be provided. as there was little mention of this by the first post I can only assume this was given.
Standards ARE bound to be different, but not beyond reasonable common sense. I mimic Stoops comment...
"My view is if you have any doubt at all about the safety measures on a trip then walk away and ask for your money back"
By not walking away (or at least refusing to ride) you have made the complaints proceedure more difficult.
I also think that bad mouthing a company which has obviously provided you with 4 other very good excursions.... as you booked a 12 Island tour (no complaint mentioned), Midnight Cruise (no complaint mentioned), Mud Bath (no complain mentioned)... there must have been something right...
Or... (and this is the 'everyones out to get what they want jack' part of me..) perhaps by doing all these and paying out...£43pp? (From their site...very quickly copied and pasted and added up...)
£9 12 Island
£12 Midnight Cruise
£2 turkish bath (this is free if you book more than 2 activities...)
£10 Horse Riding
£10 Turkish baths
(something like that per person)
Family of 4? I dont know but Im assuming a Mum, Dad, 2 kids...(Dont know if children are cheaper...)
43 x 4 =£172
.... you could have a cheap holiday at the expense of a tour agency?
Im by no way saying THIS WAS THE REASON, but I cant honestly see why you would take part in an activity and THEN complain. I could understand if it was in the LAST ten minutes... but TEN MINUTES INTO the event....why!
Im sure I will have some responses to my rather large rambling post, and I am quite aware of the need for people on here to be harsh and sharp about stuff... Its the way every forum I have ever been on works. Big words, hard statements, name calling, put downs, and attempts at defacing reputable people.
Comments, insults... welcome.
