A lesbian couple have told of their honeymoon hell during a
Thomson holiday, claiming the company failed to treat them the same
as their fellow honeymooners.
Tamsin Harper and Gemma Sharman booked an all-inclusive
holiday to the Dominican Republic following their civil partnership
in Leeds, but when the couple arrived in the Caribbean they noticed
they were not treated the same as the straight couples on their
honeymoon.
Tasmin told Real Radio: "Every other couple
got three or four complimentary, romantic candlelit meals with wine
- we didn't get one. There was supposed to be complimentary fruit
and rum in our room as honeymooners but that never
appeared."
When they tried to book a meal, it was never
arranged.
The couple claim they were treated in a homophobic manner and that
the company refused to acknowledge their marital
status.
Gemma said: "I'm so angry. Our honeymoon was ruined. We
got on the plane home and cried.
"They just did not treat us the same as everybody
else.
"It's, quite frankly, disgusting in this day and age and I
find it ridiculous that people who work for a company that is
supposedly gay-friendly can be so rude."
A spokesman for Thomson said the couple had been let down
by the company for the poor customer service received on their
holiday and said they had been offered compensation for these
problems.
But he said the problems they encountered were nothing to
do with their sexuality and were the result of a "communication
breakdown".
"Unfortunately we let them down but we let them down as
customers,"
"We got the customer service wrong and they are wrong to
believe it was anything to do with them personally.
"The holiday didn't live up to their expectations and it
didn't live up to our standards. But it could have happened to
anyone."
He said Thomson had "thousands" of gay customers going on
holiday with them every year and employed gay staff members across
the company.
The couple say they will be taking legal
action.
