The company also had a “very positive” meeting with the Spanish police “to discuss the unprecedented levels of illness claims” last week.

The criminal Courts of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, are investigating the claims brought by hundreds of UK holidaymakers in respect of dishonest or exaggerated illness they allege was caused by the tour operator or hotel.

The investigation has centered on the activities of “claims farmers” who have encouraged holidaymakers to make claims, however the individuals who have brought fraudulent claims are also now facing prosecution in Spain.
 
Representatives of Tui met with the Financial Crimes Division of the Spanish National Police to discuss the issue and action being taken.

The travel advice for Spain has contained a warning for several months: “There have been reports of an increase in holidaymakers being encouraged to submit a claim for personal injury if they have experienced gastric illness during their stay.

“You should only consider pursuing a complaint or claim if you have genuinely suffered from injury or illness. If you make a false or fraudulent claim, you may face legal proceedings in the UK or Spain.”
 
The Spanish police, who were presented with detail about hundreds of cases of suspected fraud, have now delivered the results of their investigation to the Courts of Palma and those customers who submitted false or exaggerated claims for food poisoning against hoteliers in Majorca during the last year can expect criminal action to be taken, Tui said.  

Nick Longman, managing director Tui UK & Ireland said: “This week we have had a very positive meeting with the Spanish police to discuss the unprecedented levels of illness claims.

“We fully support the steps they are taking to expose this kind of fraud and to investigate false or exaggerated cases.

“Through the work we are doing and the awareness we are raising of this type of activity, we’ve already seen one law firm drop more than 1,800 cases against us.

“We remain committed to doing all that we can to put a stop to this activity and therefore protect honest holidaymakers.”