Booking hotels and flights via third-party apps have become a common practice now. These apps surely help you plan things more efficiently but do not rely entirely on them. It is a good practice to cross check with various other sources before making a decision. While most of our trip plans turn out to be successful, there are a few instances where tourists do have to face difficulties. Speaking of which, recently, a honeymoon couple got duped by a travel agent. The couple had used this third party app -Travel Talkies to book 'The Humsour View' Hotel in Manali.
They bought a tour package which cost them Rs 30,500. The travel firm had also shared photographs of the hotel accommodation, with a view from the balcony, through WhatsApp. These views turned out to be fake ones when they arrived at the destination. In addition to that, they were also not offered the desired room booked for them via the app.
What happened next? Did the couple take any action?
The answer is yes. Like many others, they didn't just leave the place with disappointment. They MADE SURE these guys were punished for causing such inconvenience to the couple. They lodged a complaint against the travel agent as well as the Hotel for duping tourists like that.
Chandigarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a travel firm and Manali hotel to pay ₹27,302 to the honeymoon couple from the UT for duping the couple by sharing a fake balcony view image at the time of booking. "Honeymoon holds a special place and sentimental value in the lives of newlyweds," the Chandigarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission said.
The commission further quoted: “Nowadays, it has become very common to see the newly-weds posting photographs of their hotel and places visited during their honeymoon. For them, it is a memory to cherish for life and couples get nostalgic remembering those. Here also, as is made out, the complainant had made the hotel booking and paid the consideration in advance after going through the images sent to him on his WhatsApp, whereby, he was assured the view visible from his balcony, which, turned out to be farce and all his plans turned sour immediately upon reaching the hotel. Therefore, it was but natural for the complainant (newlyweds) to be sulking and feeling cheated if the promised services were not provided. Hence, the complainant was well within his right to make alternate arrangement at his own in another hotel and OPs are bound to refund the amount paid to them as well as compensate the complainant for the inconvenience caused to him.”
Have you come across any such instances in the past and never filed a complaint? Please share your experiences in the comment section below.
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