0:00:02 > 0:00:06Every year, millions of us splash out on holidays abroad.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11But most of us have to save all year for our precious two weeks in the sun.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14So when things go wrong, it can be devastating.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18You can't do that sort of holiday, you know, every year.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21It's precious time. We can't get that back.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Flight delays and shabby accommodation
0:00:23 > 0:00:25can ruin your break.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Not to mention scams, tricks and cons.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30The guys doing the PR work on the beach
0:00:30 > 0:00:32have just told loads of people loads of lies.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35We're here to help you avoid the holiday from hell.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38And make sure you don't get done in the sun.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Coming up on today's show, we meet holidaymakers
0:00:51 > 0:00:54who were left with their dream breaks in tatters because
0:00:54 > 0:00:58their travel agents left a piece of vital information to the small print.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03He said, "There isn't anything we can do. You'll have to come home."
0:01:03 > 0:01:07And I'll be hitting the streets to see if we really do leave our brains
0:01:07 > 0:01:11at the airport when it comes to spending our holiday cash.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Can I interest you in going to see some dolphins?
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Those last-minute worries before you go on holiday,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23we all have them, don't we?
0:01:23 > 0:01:24Passport? Check.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Money? Check.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Tickets? Check.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33But if you're heading somewhere a little more far flung than the Costa del Sol,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37there's something else you might need to add to that checklist.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40And it's something so important that, if it's forgotten,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42you'll be back at home sooner than you'd think.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45It's a visa.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Many countries outside the EU require you to obtain a visa.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53This is a document granted for a short visit to a country
0:01:53 > 0:01:58and a way of them monitoring your arrival and departure dates.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00But, when planning a dream getaway,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03paperwork is often the last thing on your mind.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06And, surely, your travel agent would let you know if you needed one.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11We'd seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and Slumdog Millionaire and thought they were so hilarious.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18And we just really, really fancied it, didn't we,...
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- We did, yeah. - ..from those films?- Yeah.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Meet Linda and Kevin from South Wales.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26They'd saved up and had big plans
0:02:26 > 0:02:30to visit South Goa in India in a year's time.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34They went down to their local high street to find a travel agent and walked into First Choice
0:02:34 > 0:02:37to discuss their dream trip abroad.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40She said, "Are you happy with all that?" And we said, "Very happy."
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- And we looked at each other and said, "I'm really happy, are you?" - Yeah.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- And we just signed it there and then.- Yeah.
0:02:46 > 0:02:52Linda put it in her handbag and, er, off we went.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Good on them for planning ahead.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56This meant they got the best available deal.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00And with everything booked and still a year to go before they jetted off,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03the couple thought there was nothing left to do but sit back,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06relax and look forward to their trip.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09We brought the contract home and I actually looked at it
0:03:09 > 0:03:13because I was excited, I wanted to know the time and everything.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Other than that, it was put safe, and that was it.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The year flew by. And in March 2011, it was finally time
0:03:20 > 0:03:24to make the journey from Merthyr Tydfil to Gatwick.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27We arrived there, I believe, about 2:15.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31And we got to the counter and, er,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35the lady behind the desk said, "Where's your visas?"
0:03:35 > 0:03:37And I looked at Kevin and I said, "Visa?"
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I said, "Visas? We haven't got any visas."
0:03:40 > 0:03:43And she said, "Well, you can't fly without visas to Goa."
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Linda and Kevin couldn't believe their ears.
0:03:47 > 0:03:53It was like a bubble bursting. It was absolutely horrendous. Terrible.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Their dreams of Goa were vanishing before their eyes.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Having never been anywhere like this before,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02and not knowing they needed a visa, they were completely floored.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05They got straight on the phone to their local travel agent.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10"Oh," she said, "did you not know you had to have visas?"
0:04:10 > 0:04:13I said, "No." She said, "Did you read your contract?" I said,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15I was really agitated, and I said,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18"It doesn't matter about the contract," I said.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21"I want to know why we wasn't told about visas."
0:04:21 > 0:04:26"Unfortunately," she said, "there isn't anything we can do.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28"You'll have to come home."
0:04:28 > 0:04:32The couple had no choice but to retrace their steps
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and head back to Wales, while the flight to Goa departed without them.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39In the days that followed, they complained
0:04:39 > 0:04:44to the travel agents, maintaining it was never explained to them that they needed a visa.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46But First Choice simply replied
0:04:46 > 0:04:49that it was clearly printed on their booking form.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56The thing is, visas aren't necessarily the first thing people think of when they're going abroad,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00especially if they're travelling long haul for the first time.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04So, how do you know if you need a visa and who's supposed to tell you?
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Many travel agents are members of an organisation called ABTA,
0:05:11 > 0:05:15which offers customers protection if something goes wrong.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Who is responsible for the arrangement of visas?
0:05:21 > 0:05:26If you book a package holiday, there is a requirement under the Package Travel Regulations
0:05:26 > 0:05:29which states that a package tour operator must make you aware
0:05:29 > 0:05:31of the need to get a visa in many circumstances.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35But, primarily, the responsibility for actually getting that visa
0:05:35 > 0:05:37would be you as a member of the public.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43Do you, as ABTA, advise your members to tell people verbally?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Or do you not mind how they do it?
0:05:46 > 0:05:50We have a requirement in our code that members should make people aware, members of the public,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55that they do require a visa but we don't say they have to tell them verbally. I think many will do so.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59But Linda and Kevin maintain that something as important as a visa
0:05:59 > 0:06:02shouldn't have been buried in the small print.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04We hadn't been told verbally.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07But their position was that we had been told
0:06:07 > 0:06:10because we had had it in black and white.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And I think the two are totally different.
0:06:14 > 0:06:21I agree. After all, their whole holiday depended on this knowledge and they'd no idea.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Is it really too much to expect from a travel agent?
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Any travel agent worth her or his salt is going to say,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32"Oh, you're off to India. That's great.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35"But bear in mind it's actually quite
0:06:35 > 0:06:37"a complex application process for the visa
0:06:37 > 0:06:39"and you'd better start now."
0:06:39 > 0:06:43But although the visa requirement was printed in their booking conditions,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Linda and Kevin weren't told by the agent in person.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50And that meant their dream holiday was a non-starter.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53ABTA states all its members must make it very clear
0:06:53 > 0:06:56when a destination needs a visa.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59But how hard do they actually try?
0:06:59 > 0:07:03OK, so here I've got a big stack of glossy-looking holiday brochures.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07I'm going to use this to look at the most popular holiday-booking websites.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11What I want to know is, how obvious do the brochures
0:07:11 > 0:07:15and the booking websites make it that you need a visa before you go?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I'm going to start with this pile.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21The brochures I've got are from the five biggest tour operators.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24And I'm looking at long-haul destinations
0:07:24 > 0:07:27which have very different visa requirements.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31"If a visa is required, don't leave until the last minute."
0:07:31 > 0:07:34"Passport and visa regulations can change."
0:07:34 > 0:07:38There's a link here to see visa and travel advice. There's nothing here.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42"Requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy."
0:07:42 > 0:07:44"Your responsibility."
0:07:44 > 0:07:45"Visit the Foreign Office website."
0:07:45 > 0:07:48"Go to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office."
0:07:48 > 0:07:50"Contact the Egyptian consulate."
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Slightly vague.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53No.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58So if you're not a seasoned traveller,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02or you just haven't been somewhere that needs a visa before,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06there's really not a lot here to make it obvious that you need one.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Of course, these are just brochures, and the most important thing
0:08:10 > 0:08:14is that travellers are told about the need for a visa at the point of sale.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Without clear advice like this,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20more people could end up like Kevin and Linda.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Are you content, though, that the ABTA advice at the moment is enough?
0:08:23 > 0:08:28That you shouldn't be changing it to say, "You must tell people verbally
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- "they need a visa"? - Our code of conduct has been in place for many years.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35We will revise it if we feel that that revision is required.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37But if you look at the situation in terms of visas,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39we very rarely get complaints where people
0:08:39 > 0:08:41feel they haven't been informed sufficiently
0:08:41 > 0:08:44about the need to get a visa and have suffered as a consequence.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47But it is very important, though, that when you
0:08:47 > 0:08:51make your booking, read the small print in the paperwork you're given.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It seems ABTA travel agents are not going to be held responsible.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01The bottom line is, it's our responsibility to find out if we need a visa and get one arranged.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05But don't relax just yet. Later, we'll see that, even with a visa,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08there are still things that can go wrong.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10We were absolutely devastated.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Um...
0:09:13 > 0:09:15And just so upset.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22When we jet off to an exotic holiday destination,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26it often seems the perfect opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30And sometimes there's more than sun, sea and sand on offer.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- Diving trips.- Jeep rides.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Good nightlife. - Dolphin trips.- Aqua tour.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Water park.- Nice places to eat. - You name it, you can find it.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Yes, there are always plenty of trips and activities to tempt you when you're on holiday.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46But there are also plenty of con men and tricksters
0:09:46 > 0:09:48hoping to part you from your cash.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53In fact, last year, tricks and scams cost the British holidaymaker around
0:09:53 > 0:09:55£80 million.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I've researched the top-five most common tourist scams.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01And today, I'll be finding out how easy it is
0:10:01 > 0:10:06to get sold down the river on excursions that don't actually exist.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Before I see how wise holidaymaking Brits are
0:10:09 > 0:10:13to a street seller like myself, I need some insider knowledge.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19I'm on the beautiful island of Tenerife,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23where one of the main attractions is the incredible seascapes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28A daytrip on a boat is definitely on most holidaymakers' wish lists. And it's certainly on mine.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Hi, Paul. - Hi. Good morning. How are you?
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Can I come aboard? - Welcome aboard.- Thank you.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37My captain today is Paul Hilldrith
0:10:37 > 0:10:40who runs whale and dolphin tours on the island.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Wooh!
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Oh, my goodness!
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Oh! There's another one there. There's another one.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52We never guarantee 100% that you can see them
0:10:52 > 0:10:56because they're wild animals. They're living out here, they go where they want to go.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59And we have to use the skills of the captains to find them.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Yes, never take a trip if someone says
0:11:01 > 0:11:04they can 100% promise you'll see wildlife.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07The clue's in the name. It's wild life.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10But not seeing a dolphin is by no means
0:11:10 > 0:11:12the worst thing that can happen to you.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16How do you know you're booking a real excursion? What do you look out for?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20What you need to do is book through an obvious excursion shop,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23which there are lots around on the island.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28We work a lot with the hotel concierge in all the good hotels.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Those people are well trained, they know exactly who the good companies are.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The new way now is obviously through the internet,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38direct with the owners of a lot of the boats or the businesses.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41But sometimes you're walking along the beach and
0:11:41 > 0:11:44there's so much competition, or it's a last-minute thing,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46and there's people giving you, you know,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49some cheap tickets. Are they to be trusted?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Sometimes there are robberies and people can get books of tickets.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Oh, OK.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57You could be buying fresh air. Go to the official agents.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01So in a situation like that, the tickets would look real because they are real.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Yes, of course.- In effect, but they're not for that trip you're planning on buying for.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Yeah. It could be any excursion, not just boat trips.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13Just be aware. Go to the correct place, just like you would in your own country.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- It's a very good tip. Sometimes, when you're on holiday...- You forget.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Oh, they're so lovely.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25After a lovely afternoon dolphin watching, it's time to return to dry land.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- Thanks, Paul. - Brought you back safely.- Thank you.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- And thank you for a great experience. - Pleasure. Come and see us again.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- I will do. Take care. Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36But in every holiday hotspot around the globe,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39there's always someone out to make a fast buck.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44No matter how savvy you think you are, there is always a fast-talking scammer
0:12:44 > 0:12:47who will make it their business to get their hands on your cash.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Later on, I plan to find out just how they do it.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59When it's cold and gray in the UK, many of us dream of jetting off
0:12:59 > 0:13:03to an exotic location on the other side of the world.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11But if you're travelling to any far-flung destination,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15the chances are you will need one of these. A visa.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18And as we've seen, your travel agent's under no obligation
0:13:18 > 0:13:20to tell you verbally that you need one.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22And you may well find the information
0:13:22 > 0:13:25hidden deep in the small print of your contract.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29But it's our responsibility as travellers to make sure
0:13:29 > 0:13:33we have all the right documentation in place before we travel.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37And if you do that, you'll be fine, won't you?
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Meet Carol and John O'Reilly from Hemel Hempstead.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45They're seasoned globetrotters.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- We do enjoy travelling quite a lot. - Yes.- As much as possible.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- Make the most of our years while we're able to travel.- That's right.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Mainly the Far East and the Caribbean.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57You name it, we'll go there.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02Having fallen in love with the Indian state of Goa on previous trips,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Carol and John were keen to visit the rest of the country.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07And they turned to a tried and trusted agent.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11It's such a fascinating country
0:14:11 > 0:14:13from the programmes and things you see.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16So we looked around at different companies.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20And the Travelsphere brochure,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24well, we just thought this has got everything we're looking for, really.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28The itinerary was great and it included Nepal,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32which was somewhere we wanted to actually visit as well.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The trip would cost over £4,000.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And this well-travelled couple knew they'd need to arrange
0:14:38 > 0:14:42a visa to visit India, which they did in plenty of time.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47The day of our trip to India, we were already to go, excited.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51We got to the check-in desk and we were told
0:14:51 > 0:14:56that we could not travel with them because we had not
0:14:56 > 0:15:01got the correct Indian visa, that there was a new rule implemented,
0:15:01 > 0:15:06and that we needed a special stamp on top of the visa that we had.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09But surely they'd done everything right.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Can visa rules really change as quickly as this?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15What could be more maddening than booking your trip,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17fulfilling all the visa rules,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19and then the rules change?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22This is a terrible situation, which has caused an awful lot of grief
0:15:22 > 0:15:25and expense to a lot of travellers.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I'm afraid, I do have to say that India does tend
0:15:28 > 0:15:32to change its rules more often than most countries.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Of course, if you've got a good travel agent who is monitoring
0:15:35 > 0:15:38the situation at all times, keeping an eye on the world,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40then they will do that work for you.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Carol and John were confident that they had a good agent.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47And at the airport, Travelsphere's tour manager told them he had a solution.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50So he said, "The next morning,
0:15:50 > 0:15:56"you go straight up to the embassy and ask them to do the stamp for you
0:15:56 > 0:15:59"and we'll get you on a flight that evening."
0:15:59 > 0:16:02As instructed, Carol and John were up bright and early,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05with their luggage still in the boot of the car,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09ready to fly as soon as they had that all-important stamp.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13We travelled to the Indian embassy at 6 o'clock the next morning.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15And we were kept waiting two or three hours.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19And then, when we finally got to speak to an official,
0:16:19 > 0:16:24she said it was not possible to issue this stamp on the day,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27that we were misinformed,
0:16:27 > 0:16:32that it was three to four working days at their discretion.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Due to recent security alerts, India had changed its rules.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Carol and John weren't flying anywhere.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44If the visa requirements change between you booking the holiday
0:16:44 > 0:16:47and actually going on the holiday,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51whose responsibility is it to make sure that the traveller is aware?
0:16:51 > 0:16:54I could sort of see that you could draw up a contract saying,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59"OK, travel agent, I've booked this holiday and it's your responsibility
0:16:59 > 0:17:03"to inform me of any changes that could be relevant."
0:17:03 > 0:17:06I don't know a single travel agent who would sign that contract
0:17:06 > 0:17:10because, ultimately, their eyes can't be everywhere.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15And you do, as a traveller, have to take a certain amount of responsibility for yourself.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Carol and John's magical trip to India
0:17:17 > 0:17:20should have been well underway by now.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Having been given false hope by the tour manager...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26We were absolutely devastated.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Um...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30And just so upset.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Carol phoned Travelsphere to see what more they could do.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37But all they were offered was the chance to fly out to Nepal
0:17:37 > 0:17:41for the final three days of their trip for an additional charge
0:17:41 > 0:17:43of £540.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46They said there was nothing else they could do for us,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48that we'd lose the holiday.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- Which we did.- Which we did.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57How could things have gone so wrong?
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Why hadn't Carol and John known about the change in visa requirements?
0:18:01 > 0:18:04When they got home, the couple started digging.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08There was absolutely nothing on their website about this new rule
0:18:08 > 0:18:10that had, literally, come out
0:18:10 > 0:18:17in February, which was about a month before the travel time.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20All it said was that you needed a multi-entry visa.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Absolutely nothing else was mentioned.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28From my research, I've found that India is not alone in changing its visa rules.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32So what travellers need is a resource that's bang up to date
0:18:32 > 0:18:34with the immigration demands of every country.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39With thousands of consular staff in 183 countries worldwide,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43it's the job of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to do just that.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47It's absolutely essential that you research whether a visa is necessary
0:18:47 > 0:18:50because it is for some countries and it isn't for others.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56And we recommend you do that through the Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel website.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00It's also important that you discuss with the country's embassy
0:19:00 > 0:19:03here in the UK about the requirements of visas
0:19:03 > 0:19:07because they do change reasonably frequently.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10And make sure that you have an up-to-date visa that will allow you
0:19:10 > 0:19:15both access to that country and the facility to leave when you choose to do so.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18But if visa requirements can change at anytime,
0:19:18 > 0:19:22are we really expected to check the Foreign Office website every day?
0:19:22 > 0:19:26ABTA won't accept that its agents need to tell people in person.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31Things can change very quickly. Some countries are better about informing the Foreign Office,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33not necessarily telling travel companies.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35So the information doesn't always get through straightaway.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38But it will be there on the Foreign Office websites.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41In effect, the bottom line does stop with you as a member of the public.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45So, as far as ABTA's concerned, it's not up to your travel agent
0:19:45 > 0:19:48to keep you informed about rule changes.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52So whether you're booking online or you're using a good old-fashioned travel agent,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55when it comes to visas, the rules are the same.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Do your homework because, if you don't,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00you might be on a road to nowhere.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Still to come, our two couples hear from their travel agents.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Will they accept responsibility for their holiday disasters?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11"So we do hope you'll become a Travelsphere customer again."
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Hmmm. Maybe.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Holidays can leave some of us spoilt for choice.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22There are so many trips and activities available,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25it's hard not to say yes to everything.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31But scam artists operating abroad means you have to have your wits about you.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33And I'm here to tell you what you need to know to avoid
0:20:33 > 0:20:36falling foul of the holiday-tour tricksters.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Earlier, I found out that the safest way to buy tickets
0:20:40 > 0:20:44was through your hotel or a proper excursion shop.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Great advice. But, unfortunately,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48plenty of people buy tickets on the street.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52And as I'm about to show you, anyone can pose as a seller.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I am now transformed. I now am Rani Price
0:20:57 > 0:20:59who works for Canary Fish Tours.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02I need tickets to sell. OK. Tickets.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Everything you need on them.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07The name of the excursion. What we're going to see.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Whale and dolphins. The date. The time. The price.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Adults, kids go free. Also, I've got my book full of facts and receipts.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17So time for me to hit the streets.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21I'm trying to see if anyone suspects for a second
0:21:21 > 0:21:25that my tour is actually completely made up.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Have you managed to see any dolphins? - We've already seen them.- Ooh!
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- Can I interest you in going to see some dolphins?- No.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34I may be the only seller on this patch
0:21:34 > 0:21:37but real street sellers can be far more persuasive.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Try not to get too caught up with the street vendors.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Try to ignore them. Don't get drawn into buying lots of junk.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Yes, never feel pressured to part with your cash.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51But although some street sellers are peddling genuine wares
0:21:51 > 0:21:54that will make a good souvenir, some, like me,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57aren't quite so honest and will be trying to sell tickets for trips
0:21:57 > 0:21:59that simply don't exist.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04Have you managed to see some whales or dolphins on your trip to Tenerife?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- We haven't.- You haven't? 'Hooked one!'
0:22:06 > 0:22:08We're doing a deal at the moment
0:22:08 > 0:22:10for 10 euros per ticket.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15Now, it's normally around 35 euros a ticket. What we're saying is, bring your own packed lunch.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- 10 euros. 10 euros. A little dolphin. Oh, a bottlenose.- Yeah, I know.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Thanks very much for trying. - Yeah, we'll see.- Thanks very much.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25They definitely thought I was selling genuine tickets.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Time to 'fess up.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29I'm going to have to stop you again.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31We're actually from a BBC One show.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33They're not real tickets.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35SHE LAUGHS
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- But you didn't question it. - We didn't.- Didn't even think.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39The idea is, a lot of people do get scammed.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42They come along and they'll just go, "It's a bargain, 10 euros."
0:22:42 > 0:22:46And they turn up and the boat doesn't exist.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49While they believed I was selling real tickets,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53they didn't want to be committed to a day. Good for them.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56But real con artists will lean much harder on you
0:22:56 > 0:22:58to get their mitts on your money.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01The guys doing the PR work on the beach
0:23:01 > 0:23:04have just told loads of people loads of lies.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09We're doing a special offer at the moment. It's 10 euros per ticket. They're not normally that cheap.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Kids go free. We say to take a packed lunch. There is water on board,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15drinking water, but that's all we provide.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18There. I've got my ticket. I've got Tuesday and I've got Wednesday.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Well, I'm giving it a good go but this savvy British couple
0:23:22 > 0:23:26showed exactly the right attitude to buying on the spur of the moment.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- We'll have a think about it. - Oh, my goodness!
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Time to send in our speedy researcher Lydia
0:23:31 > 0:23:34to grab them and tell them what we're really up to.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Excuse me. We're filming for a BBC One programme
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- called Don't Get Done In The Sun. - We're from England.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- They're fake tickets. They're not real.- Have you thought about it?
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- We thought about it.- And?- No.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- Even if it's a really good bargain, shouldn't you just jump in and get it?- No.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55High-five, there.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57SHE LAUGHS
0:23:59 > 0:24:02OK, so I didn't manage to sell any tickets.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05But I think I managed to convince a few people I was the real deal.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07And that was with me dodgy lanyard
0:24:07 > 0:24:09and a few tickets I printed off the internet.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13If it was that easy for me, imagine how easy it is for the scammers.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26Travelling to some faraway destinations means organising a visa.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28And as we've already seen,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31if you haven't got the right travel documents in place,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33you won't be going anywhere.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Here are your travel essentials.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Never rely on your travel agent to sort this out for you.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45If you're not sure, ask. Although they're obliged to let you know
0:24:45 > 0:24:48if you're travelling somewhere that requires a visa,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51sometimes this information is buried in the small print.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54A good travel agent should tell you this verbally as well,
0:24:54 > 0:25:00but you can't rely on it, so it's vital to be proactive and find out for yourself.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Visas can be applied for online
0:25:03 > 0:25:06or at the embassy of the country you're visiting.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Sometimes you just need to fill in a document upon landing.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11But, again, don't rely on this.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Always check before you travel.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Always allow a lot of time.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Applications can be fast-tracked.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22But sometimes the checks can be rigorous and you might have to attend an interview.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Processing can take a few days to a few weeks,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29depending on the country and the time of year. So don't delay.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Visas can cost anything from a few dollars to sometimes,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36like for Russia, over £100.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39And don't forget the extra expense of new photographs
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and sending your documents by recorded post.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Some visas will only last for the duration of your trip, a few days
0:25:46 > 0:25:50or weeks. But some can be issued for multiple entry over several years.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53As usual, don't assume anything.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57It's vital to double check each time you book a new trip.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02One year on from their disappointment,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04and Linda and Kevin are still
0:26:04 > 0:26:08coming to terms with losing their once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Goa
0:26:08 > 0:26:10because they didn't know they needed a visa.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14We put Linda and Kevin's case to First Choice and they said,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Bad news. Even though they weren't told verbally,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40the visa requirements for Goa were stated in their travel documents.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42So, although it may seem unfair,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46First Choice is within its rights to refuse to help.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49But could there be a better outcome for Carol and John?
0:26:49 > 0:26:53We put their case to their travel agent Travelsphere.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56"Dear Mr and Mrs O'Reilly, On behalf of Travelsphere,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59"may I personally apologise for your disappointment at the problems
0:26:59 > 0:27:02"you encountered three years ago.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06"Today Travelsphere operates under different management
0:27:06 > 0:27:09"and we now do things differently.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13"So we do hope you'll become a Travelsphere customer again..."
0:27:13 > 0:27:14Hmmm. Maybe.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17"..and enjoy a holiday to India with us.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20"To this end, we would like to offer you an opportunity
0:27:20 > 0:27:24"to enjoy a 14-day tour to India and Nepal..."
0:27:24 > 0:27:30- Mmm.- "..which takes in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra...Khajuraho
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- "and Kathmandu." - Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Wow! I can't believe it.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43The company is, as a goodwill gesture, offering the couple
0:27:43 > 0:27:47the chance to take their holiday after all.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49That completely restores our faith in them.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51SHE LAUGHS
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Wow!
0:27:53 > 0:27:56- We're going to India. - Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59What a great result for Carol and John.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01And, better still, this time,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05all their visas will be taken care of by Travelsphere.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Join us next time for more Don't Get Done In The Sun.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd