17/09
Are Mexican Resorts Gouging Canadians?
The news coming out of Mexico has not been great in recent years: travel warnings in early 2009, resort murders in 2007 and the Brenda Martin jailing episode in 2008.
This past Wednesday, Conquest Vacations closed their doors and of course, there were many Canadians stranded in-destination. They are not just in Mexico, but they are in Cuba, Dominican and other countries serviced by Conquest.
Why is it then, that only Mexican Resorts are gouging Canadians for unpaid Conquest bills? We are getting reports that passports are being held at the airport, travellers are being kicked-out of hotels and police are being called in to make sure people pay their bill.
A customer of ours is currently at the Grand Riviera Princess and is being asked to pay $3500 USD for her room because ’she booked a villa… and if she could afford a villa originally, she can afford $3500 USD’. When she booked her all-inclusive holiday, her and her partner paid $3052 CDN including airfare, transfers, 7-nights accommodations and taxes.
I can understand their frustration.
Why are Mexican resorts targeting these passengers? Surely, Conquest had unpaid bills in Cuba and other countries? Are Mexicans the type to take advantage of this particular situation?
A quote from TICO says: …If passengers are forced to pay locally they need to make sure they get a receipt and they can claim on the Compensation Fund for the original travel services paid to Conquest Vacations and not received… unfortunately, we cannot pay out on the alternate travel.
Do you have more information? Would love comments & feedback.
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People have to stop blaming TICO for the demise of Conquest Vacations.
What’s weird to me about this story of people having to pay in Mexico is that a normal (working with Tour Operators) Resort would ALWAYS get paid before the customer arrives.
I do think that some customers may have been taken advantage of.
On the other hand, it is possible that some may have not been paid. Most Mexican Resorts are owned by very large successful companies and I doubt they would “double dip”. if they are, it will get known and other Canadian Tour Operators will more drop them from doing business in the future.
Bottom line, I do think that Coqnuest made some very stupid moves along the way however, the real issues was dealing with the credit card processors!!!!