Brit forced to spend week-long £2,500 trip to Mexico alone after girlfriend was deported
A Brit has been forced to spend a week-long £2,500 trip to Mexico alone after his girlfriend was deported.
Scott Kinghorn, 32, and partner Thallise Marciano, 29, splashed out £2,500 on the trip of a lifetime.
But their holiday plans were foiled when Thallise was sent home when they got to the airport due to a visa mix-up.
His partner, being a Brazilian national, was required to apply for a separate visa to gain entry to their holiday location.
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But Scott claimed that they weren’t notified of this requirement from their booking agent, meaning that he was stranded in their holiday destination alone whilst Thallise was deported.
The Edinburgh native said: "The whole trip was a complete nightmare from start to finish.
"Tui are responsible as she should never have been able to board that flight with a Brazilian passport and the incorrect documents."
The couple booked a last-minute package trip to Cancun with the holiday company at the start of June and flew out from Glasgow two weeks later.
They said they filled out the required visa forms on the plane in line with Mexico’s government guidelines ready for when they landed.
But upon arrival, Thallise was stopped by border control staff as they walked through immigration.
Scott continued on to the baggage claim area, unaware that Thallise was detained.
"We arrived in Cancun buzzing for our holiday, but when I arrived at baggage claim I realised I'd lost her,” Scott admitted.
"I went back to look for her, but the immigration officers refused to let me walk back through passport control.”
Airport staff ‘eventually agreed’ to look for his partner for him, but they returned with the bad news that she was being deported to Glasgow.
"When they came back, they said she was being sent home for having the wrong visa.
"They wouldn't even let me see her before she left and I had all our credit cards and our house keys.
"It was ludicrous."
Scott was then forced to continue on with his journey into Mexico on his own.
When he arrived at the resort they had booked to go to together, he rung Tui customer service - but claims they said there was nothing they could do.
He said: "I've since complained to Tui but they're aftercare has been appalling - I can't get through to speak to anyone.
"This is their fault because when Thallise filled out her advanced passenger information she should have been informed about the visa change for Brazilians.
"She should never have been allowed to board that flight with a Brazilian passport.
"We wouldn't have even been able to get her the right visa until September so would never have booked the trip in the first place had we been told.”
Whilst Thallise was travelling back to Scotland - and subsequently, had a panic attack mid-way through their flight - Scot had to stay up all night to wait for her to say she’d arrived.
He also had to book her a hotel for two nights on her return while he organised for his brother to come back from a work trip and collect her.
Scott also explained that she had no money for food, as he had all their personal belongings, so was forced to order her takeaways until his brother arrived.
He said: "All in all, I spent £2,500 on the holiday plus the extra costs of her accommodation in Scotland and takeouts I was forced to order her.”
During this time, Scott then tried for around a week to book an earlier flight home, but claimed that Tui could only offer him a flight back to Manchester for £400 more two days before he was supposed to depart anyway.
He said: "I'm trying to get the whole trip refunded but have heard nothing back from them since I got home six weeks ago.
"The whole holiday was a disaster - and I won't stop until Tui takes responsibility for it."
Tui responded to the claims, saying: "We’re very sorry to hear of Mr Kinghorn and Ms Marciano’s experience.
"We always recommend that customers check visa requirements with the consulate or embassy of the country they’re travelling to before they book and ensure they have the correct documentation prior to completing their booking.
"On this occasion, Mr Kinghorn booked his holiday online and agreed to our booking terms and conditions which outlines that customers are responsible for checking if a visa is required to enter their chosen destination."
Cancun International Airport has been approached for comment.
Topics: UK News, World News, Travel
Gabriella Ferlita