Mexican vacation ruined by bankrupt travel company: Beware of tours

[jazzjunkysue]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/conquest_vacations

Holidays turn into ugly ordeals for some who booked with failed travel firm


Thu Apr 16, 9:10 PM

By David Friend, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Some Canadians say the sun-splashed Mexican holidays they booked through a now-collapsed travel company turned into ugly ordeals as they faced hotel managers demanding they shell out thousands of dollars or face the police.


Canadians clashed with Mexican hotel security guards Thursday when a group of 28 people staying at the Golden Parnassus resort tried to leave the premises after disputing their bill, according to one of the travellers. He said pushing and shoving ensued.


The problems started Wednesday, when Conquest Vacations Inc. suddenly announced it was shutting its doors, blaming fierce competition and a faltering economy.


Since then, the Canadians say hotels that worked with Conquest have been demanding that customers pay for their room and board, even though the tourists had already given the travel company the money.


The situation at one Cancun resort escalated as time wore on.

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. That would be awful.

Especially since they paid for everything once. And then to have to pay again. And good luck trying to get your money back. Isn't going to happen.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. I got the full shakedown in Mexico in 1993

Upon checking out the hotel demanded payment of $1200 (original reservation was about $230) claiming they had not been paid. After an hour of bullshit and my flight looming I told them to fuck themselves, their mothers and anyone else they wish except me and walked out and went next door to call Visa and cancel my credit card.

Upon returning home the travel agent confirmed they had been paid months earlier.