SOTC Complaints & Reviews

July 4th SOTC 19 Day Magnificent Europe Group Tour Tour Manager : Miling Bhanushali and Guru Iyer The details of the group tour as provided to us in the brochure were as follows : http://www.sotc.in/holiday/new-magnificent-europe-summer-2015/ where the hotels stated were as follows : London - Hotel Holiday Inn Wembley - 2 nights Netherlands - Hotel NH Eindhoven - 2 nights Paris - Hotel Best Western CDG - 2 nights Engelberg - Hotel Terrace - 3 nights Geneva - Hotel NH Airport - 1 night Nice / Cannes - Hotel Park Inn - 2 nights Florence - Hotel Art Miro - 1 night Rome - Hotel Mercure EUR West - 1 night Venice/Padova - Hotel SB - 1 night Innsbruck Hotel Alphotel 1 night Salzburg - Hotel Mercure Central - 1 night Munich - Hotel Novotel Airport - 1 night Flights mentioned were : Eithad, Qatar and Emirates. On repeated requests, we got the itinerary a day prior to departure. The details were shocking when we compared the same to what was mentioned. Not only hotels but the location of the hotels in terms of country was also changed The same provided to us had no AC or alternate arrangements for even basic stand fans. The airlines were changed to Oman with a layover at Muscat . When asked they said it was a group booking and nothing could be done. The good points I will not take away from the tour : Good Indian lunch and Dinners. Good sightseeing Excellent tour managers Excellent drivers The REAL PAIN - TYPE and LOCATION OF HOTELS WITH NO AC Hotels which were more of motels on the National highways or Autobahns or whatever they were called. Forget three stars, the locations of hotels was also changed depriving us of opportunities to venture out and do some roamning on our own. The most painful were the following : 1) Netherlands - Hotel NH Eindhoven - 2 nights This hotel had AC rooms but were not assigend as SOTC had asked for normal rooms it seems After a lot of fighting till 2 AM and arguments the next day we got AC rooms. 2) Switzerland - Hotel Arcade in Sins (45 mins from Lucerne and 1.5 hrs from Engleberg) This hotel was bang next to a highway in a smaller town called Sins (sans night life or any attraction nearby) Doors on washrooms would not close, no AC . We were asked to open our windows to cool the rooms We did that and could not sleep thanks to the railway station right behind and trains making a lot of noise through the night. We had a visit to Mt Titlis -Englebersg and when we saw where we should have been given hotel. The whole group was furious for keeping us in Sins and the hotel was also a normal one. SOTC can get away by saying that they did mention a change could be possibble. Hotels can be changed but who gave them the right to change the location altogether ?????? In Geneva they put us up on the border in another stupid hotel in France. 3) GERMANY - HOTEL NH AM RING = NO AC NO FANS With heat and no air outside the room refused to cool down. Most o[censored]s were up walking on the street till 2-3 AM and then somehow caugt 2-3 hours of sleep UK - HOTEL THISTLE LONDON HEATHROW - Passable but surely not better than promised ibis. Netherlands - Hotel NH Eindhoven - SOTC booked nnon AC rooms where AC was available. PARIS - MERCUURE ORLY RUNGIS - Away from the city, cost us 70 Euros to get to a rail station ... SWITZERLAND - HOTEL ARCADE SINS 3 nights - WORST HOTEL OF ALL which was changed in location from ENGLEBERG (TERRACES) to SINS(ARCADE) ) GENEVA - HOTEL MERCURE ANNEMASSE - On the French border, taxis were expensive so no venturing out NICE - HOTEL MERCURE SAINT RAPHAEL - Okay but not the 3 star kind FLORENCE - PROMOTEL - Not sure how these hotels were found. Rooms started at 44Euros, more of a motel. ROME - ITALY HOTEL ROMA SUD - Again on the highway, but fortunately had AC. VENICE - ITALY HOTEL IBIS PADOVA this was chanegd to AC PADOVA a mariott property and it was worth the monney ! INNSBRUCK - AUSTRIA HOTEL OLYMPIA - More of a skiing lodge in the hills, awesome views great breakfast but basic rooms with bunk beds for extra adults. SALSBUURG - AUSTRIA AUSTRIA TREND SALZBURG MITTE - Looked like a motel, but was the last hotel with air conditionning GERMANY - HOTEL NH AM RING WORST OF THE LOT- No AC, Unhelpful Staff SOTC can say that they said hotels could be changed and try getting away but they changed the Locations also Switzerland almost everyone took a look at the brochure and agreed as the hotel and location were wery nice. The whole fun was spoilt because of that stupid hotel in Sins ! If you compare the two Terraces in Engleberg and Arcade in Sins you will know the difference. 50% were not even 3 star hotels. Like us who blocked their calendars 2 months in advance, SOTC also knew about the date 4th July months in advance. In fact after confirming that this was a confirmed departure we agreed and paid. So why did they not book the promised 3 start hotels in advance, changed locations and even cities and countries ? They know that the tour is very hectic and they said so themseleves They should have known a good night's sleep is requried for people to get ready for the nextday. Overall an Okay tour, experience of which was thoroughly spoilt by the booking of shoddy hotels and pathetic airlines. The SOTC OPERATIONS GROUP IUS AN UTTER DISASTER IN THIS CASE AND WE BLAME THEM SOLELY. Thanks to good Tour Managers and excellent drivers, the mood was somehow kept upbeat. We are raising a legal concern to the authorities and alsoo plan to involve the UK Embassy as they were also given false information by SOTC. They were shown Eithad Flights and Ibis Bookings !!

I had booked with Kuoni SOTC, Salt Lake, Kolkata Branch for Bhutan trip from 2nd May to 7th May 2015. Total amount payable was Rs 71000, out of which I paid Rs 41000 from 45 days before the tour.The representative who dealt with mailed me to pay the remaining amount.As a response to the mail I called him up & he said that the tour was cancelled due to flight cancellation of Druk Airlines.He told me to delay the date to 8th May if I wish to go on with the tour, which I didn't agree.He then assured me of complete refund of the paid amount within 45 days.After that 1 month passed by & he told me that 45 days would be calculated from the date of processing of refund.They were delaying the refund process & then one day they started the process as told to me after more than 1 month.Within a month I got a cheque of Rs 22000 & the representative who dealt with me had left Kuoni for Thomas Cook.The other representative who processed the refund told me that this much amount was only refundable to me.I called the representative who left SOTC about the matter & he told me that he will do the needful.But only later I realized that I was fooled. The representative who processed the refund was always very rude.More than 50 days have passed now but still no way in sight for me. Please do the needful & oblige.

hello, my self Shaktisinh Sarvaiya and resident in Bhavnagar, Gujarat and i am well known builder in Bhavnagar and i booked tour 11th March 2015 and tour dates is 13th May i submit document in time but passport not come in time frame. Mr. Jagdish Bulchani who is area manager handling all this matter continuous lying that your visa ready your passport ready and collect from Ahmedabad and told me collect from Bombay. As i was reach in Bombay one of my child was not get. and i lost almost two day and miss Singapore sight seeing because of not getting visa on time flight cancel and reschedule flight time is very long and i called after complete tour to Jagdish he told me that i did what i can. i suffer a lot my child is 4 and 9 year they was not happy i loss my sight seeing i lose to stay in sentosa island resort so friend i just want say if you have hard core money than think twice before go with SOTC Shaktisinh Sarvaiya [protected]

Dear sir, I booked 2 tickets for kashmir tour starting from Mumbai for 8 days tour package (06/0615 to 13/06/15) My trouble started from Mumbai air-port. I got two seats in different row . I requested air line but they told that in block tickets we cannot do any thing it is alloted by sotc if any vacant seats available than only we can adjust but today flight is booked. At srinagar we got room in houseboat with two separate single bed. I do not have any complain for food and other shikara ride. On day 3 at gulmarg I got the room next to the reception counter so during night time too much telephone disturbances. Also food was not hygienic due to counter set just near the trace can of the kitchen. In pahelgam also I got room with broken sink and without drain pipe. I complain for that but they changed my room next day. Room was dirty and carpet was smelling. I got all the photographs for the same. In srinagar also I got room next to service room so outside the door bunch of dirty towels, bedsheets etc. was lying. I got the photopraphs also for the same. They changed my room but they provide me two single bed only. First time room was on second floor and dining area on the terrace. There is no lift so at the age of 64, I have to climb staircase to reach dining area three times in a day which is very difficult. I reserve my right to file complain in consumer court surat. In the room at morning six o'clock bathroom big spider I found. I have to call staff to remove the same from the bathroom. Last day hotel management did not pay for the TV subscription and hence I was not able to watch the TV and my routine srinathji darshan on sanskar channel. I got all the photographs about all my complaint. I spend three nights in two separate bed which was not expected by me. Also in the return ticket I got two separate sheets in plane. Please look in to this matter and do the needful. I was discriminated every time and got poor quality of accommodation. Waiting for your quick response on my complaint otherwise I have to file lawsuit against your poor service as per your promise given in your cataloger.

Dear sir, I booked 2 tickets for kashmir tour starting from Mumbai for 8 days tour package (06/0615 to 13/06/15) My trouble started from Mumbai air-port. I got two seats in different row . I requested air line but they told that in block tickets we cannot do any thing it is alloted by sotc if any vacant seats available than only we can adjust but today flight is booked. At srinagar we got room in houseboat with two seperate single bed. I do not have any complain for food and other shikara ride. On day 3 at gulmarg I got the room next to the reception counter so during night time too much telephone disturbances. Also food was not hygienic due to counter set just near the trace can of the kitchen. In pahelgam also I got room with broken sink and without drain pipe. I complain for that but they changed my room next day. Room was dirty and carpet was smelling. I got all the photographs for the same. In srinagar also I got room next to service room so outside the door bunch of dirty towels, bedsheets etc. was lying. I got the photographs also for the same. They changed my room but they provide me two single bed only. First time room was on second floor and dining area on the terrace. There is no lift so at the age of 64, I have to climb staircase to reach dining area three times in a day which is very difficult. I reserve my right to file complain in consumer court surat. In the room at morning six o'clock bathroom big spider I found. I have to call staff to remove the same from the bathroom. Last day hotel management did not pay for the TV subscription and hence I was not able to watch the TV and my routine srinathji darshan on sanskar channel. I got all the photographs about all my complaint. I spend three nights in two separate bed which was not expected by me. Also in the return ticket I got two separate sheets in plane. Please look in to this matter and do the needful. I was discriminated every time and got poor quality of accommodation. Waiting for your quick response on my complaint otherwise I have to file lawsuit against your poor service as per your promise given in your catalog.

SOTC (at least Pune office) is being operated by a bunch of novices. SOTC makes all false promises and commitments to get customer to book the trip and once you book the trip you are screwed. If you are adventurous enough to book through SOTC then get prepared for a shelling out much more money and time than planned. Here is the detail of what SOTC is doing with my booking. I booked a SOTC 19 day magnificent Europe tour which had a 4 day...

I had booked a group package from sotc. Very horrible experiance.no tour manager n. All senior citizens carrying luggage.no help frm hotel confirmed by sotc. no indian Breakfast in china.poorly organized by sotc. Goodbye sotc.

Kuppuswamy Chandrsekaran, 49/50 X Avenue, Ashok nagar, Chennai 600083, Mobile number [protected], I went to Scandinavian with East Europe tour through sotc from 16/07/2014 to 01/08/2014. I paid Rs50, 000 by way of cheque number 852083 of City Union Bank, Tambaram as advance Then paid Rs53, 221 INR component by cheque number 898885 of State Bank of India, ASHOKnagar and Rs1, 70, 775 Euro component (2, 070 ) by cheque number 852085,...

Kuppuswamy Chandrsekaran, 49/50 X Avenue, Ashok nagar, Chennai 600083, Mobile number [protected], I went to Scandinavian with East Europe tour of your company from 16/07/2014 to 01/08/2014. I paid Rs50, 000 by way of cheque number 852083 of City Union Bank, Tambaram as advance Then paid Rs53, 221 INR component by cheque number 898885 of State Bank of India and Rs1, 70, 775 Euro component (2, 070 ) by cheque number 852085, Ashok...

we 4 docters booked on scandivia and east europe we had transit from cheenai to london and then helkinsi reached maa airport at 1 am and not allowed to board british airways as no transit visa got the company hadnot got the visa ywe returned and left in the evening senior citzen put to such diff now refund for 1day and cab fare they agreedto pay orally but to date no action when we have to pay they put pressure and hand over documents at last minute

Hi My name is Balaji K. I had paid a booking amount of Rs. 2, 06, 000 to SOTC that as booking for 4 passengers for Europe Trip. While, booking we were told that Rs. 1, 500 is charged additionally to cover the advance amount, in case we cancel the booking. At the time of booking, it was nearly closing time of the office and they took signatures telling as general terms and conditions. We were not provided a copy of the terms and conditions. However, I could not travel as I was transferred by my company abroad and due to the busy schedule of my daughters, I had to cancel the booking. I intimated the cancellation after 1 week of my making initial payment. I was told that they will not refund the amount as per the terms and conditions that I signed and it will be kept as advance and I can utilise whenever I require I can travel. As per my assignment, I cannot travel for next two to three years and I did not want to keep the money with them. The came up with an option of deducting 50% of the amount i.e. 1, 00, 000 as against paid amount of 2, 00, 000 and I agreed to it and they said the payment will be sent to my bank in 15 days. The reason given for deduction is that they have already made bookings and the airlines and hotels will not give refund. After 10 days, they were asking my Transfer order or appointment letter stating that the hotels in Europe is asking to refund the amount. I told them, that I cannot give any of the above letters and I can give only my visiting card with foreign address. I feel that they suspected that I am telling lie. The sad fact is that I have given my money and I have to prove that I am not lieing. These people are real cheaters. I told them, I have no option except going to court. I am really frustrated on the way I am cheated by these so called reputed companies in the name of foreign travel. I request if I can get at least 50% of the amount of refund.

I have book European splendor tour from SOTC from 31/05/2014 to 10/06/2014 family members for 4 person from Ranchi SOTC Office. They surdenly asked before start of the tour that airport surcharge has been increse so you have to pay Rs.7000.00 per person extra. They blackmailed us that if we don't pay the surcharge amount they will not handover the ticket and other booking details. We bound to pay Rs.7000.00 each for airport surcharge a NEFT to their account.

OUR COMPLAIN IS FOR REFUND OF Rs.7000.00 PER PERSON(TOTAL RS.28000.00) along with Rs.50000.00 for mentle harashment. my email id is - [protected]@gmail.com, phone no [protected]/[protected]

Myself along with family went to South Africa and Kenya tour, as a group tour from SOTC. While collecting money for the tour, they collected for Kenya Visa and a Tour manager cost. Later due to no reason they withdrew the tour manager. Cost is not reimbursed to us. They were not able to get us the Kenya visa and on arrival we bought. They have agreed to reimburse the visa fee. While we left the USD value of INR was Rs.62 per USD. All their collections in INR equivalent was much more than the market rate for buying foreign currency. Now, while claiming reimbursement for the Kenya Visa, they are giving us at Rs.56 per USD. It is absolutely a cheating. Also the tour was pathetic, the food they provided was substandard and many people have experienced food poisoning.

I'd booked 10 nights/ 11days Glimpse of Europe tour from may 2014. Yesterday i got a letter from KUONI SOTC for demanding additional amount for increase in price/ surcharge from Qatar Airways. I've already paid all INR amount well in advance. 1. Checked tickets online & found that rates are same as before. At present Kuwait airways & Gulf airways are offering tickets @Rs 20, 000 to London. 2. I always check news But never came to know such news and I searched on google also but did nt get any such news. This is highly unethical demand from such a reputed tour operator. [protected]@yahoo.com

· I, Sanjiban Banerjee along with my spouse Ms Manjusree Banerjee, had visited Europe on a holiday Group Tour organized by SOTC’s Salt Lake City office in Kolkata during May 11-22, 2013 (11N/12 D). The tour was organized properly and we enjoyed it thoroughly. · Based on the above experience, I contacted SOTC’s Salt Lake office in Kolkata (Ms Jayanti Chakraborty) during October 2013 requesting them to organize a Customized tour for me and Spouse to Malaysia and Singapore for 6N/7D starting from 16.02.2014. · SOTC, Kolkata had sent two quotations on SIC basis for the above tour viz. (1) 3-star accommodation @ Rs 91, 210/- per person and (2) 4-star accommodation @ Rs 96, 506/- per person. As I wanted to avail 4-star accommodation, SOTC had sent me their revised and final quotation of Rs 90, 008/- per person. I paid the booking amount of Rs 41, 000/- on 30.10.13 and subsequently Rs 1, 49, 289/- on 10.02.14 totaling to Rs 1, 90, 289/- i.e. @ 95, 144.50 per person, which was in excess of the earlier quote of Rs 90, 000/- per person. Air Travel · My air ticket was booked in Thai International in the Sector Kolkata-Bangkok- Kuala Lumpur. The return ticket was booked in the Sector Singapore-Bangkok-Kolkata. We had to get down in Bangkok and catch another flight of Thai International, both for our onward as well as return journey. I fail to understand when there was a direct flight from Kolkata to Kuala Lumpur and direct return flight from Singapore to Kolkata, why our tickets were booked via Bangkok thus wasting our time besides causing harassment to us. Hotel Accommodation and Food · As per quotation, I was supposed to be booked in Kuala Lumpur : Hotel Furama Bukit Bintan Genting : Hotel First World Singapore : Hotel Landmark Village But, finally my accommodation was booked as follows: Kuala Lumpur : Hotel Grand Seasons Genting : Hotel First World Singapore : Hotel Grand Chancellor · I was told by SOTC that the hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore were changed as Indian Food was available in these hotels. Although the food was satisfactory in hotel First World, the accommodation was far from satisfactory and not worthy of 4-star accommodation. In Hotel Grand Seasons in Kuala Lumpur, both food and accommodation were satisfactory. However, in Hotel Grand Chancellor, which is 3-star hotel, despite our premium room being booked, we were not sure whether a premium room was given to us. Moreover, despite Indian food being available in the hotel, our dinner was arranged in Indian restaurants outside within walking distance from the hotel. However, the food in these restaurants was second grade. I do not understand when Indian food was available in the hotel itself why our dinner was arranged outside where the food was not up to the mark. Transport and Sightseeing · Our transportation & sightseeing on SIC basis in Malaysia and Singapore was organized by Asian Famous Tours & Travels (AFTT) and Pacific Trails respectively. · On our way from Kula Lumpur airport to Genting, we reached Batu Caves at about 12 Noon local time. During this time all the temples were closed and we could not see any temple, which are the main attractions there. · We were booked by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on 19.02.14 at 9.30 a.m. However, while dropping us from the hotel to the Kuala Lumpur bus stand, the driver could not tell us anything about our programme for Singapore nor we were told anything by AFTT. · After reaching Singapore and after completing our Visa formalities, we were shocked to find nobody waiting for us. We then took a local bus from Visa Office to Jurong East by paying 12 ringgits (Rs 250/- approx) from our own pocket. Even after reaching Jurong East bus stand, we did not find anybody and we both were left stranded running here and there not knowing what to do. Both I and my spouse were puzzled and stood still on the road not knowing what to do as no one could understand our language and did not help us in any way. Ultimately, based on the SOTC voucher available with me, I took the risk of contacting a taxi driver about the location of the hotel (Grand Chancellor). Luckily he knew about the hotel and took us there and we paid 20 Singapore dollars (Rs 1, 100 approx). We were lucky enough to be allowed to check-in at the hotel based on the voucher given by SOTC. · After checking in at the hotel, we made frantic efforts to contact somebody from the Pacific Travels through telephone as we did not have any itinerary for the next three days. After making 3-4 telephone calls (Rs 150 approx.) from our room hotel we could contact one Mr. Vimal of pacific Trails in Singapore. We were shocked when he told us that the driver was waiting for us at Singapore Airport when our programme was to come by road. Even the Itinerary given to us showed that we were to be picked up from Changy Airport in Singapore. Moreover, it was surprising that no one from pacific Trails bothered to contact the hotel about our whereabouts. · It was surprising that the tour coordinators in Malaysia and Singapore did not bother to meet us nor contact us for any problems and expected us to contact them for clarifications regarding pick-up/drop off, sightseeing etc. We were handed our Itinerary, sightseeing entry tickets etc. by the drivers sent by the tour coordinators who most often did not know about the details and we had to seek clarifications from the coordinators through them. In summary, I want to mention that we seek foreign holiday tours by paying high amount through reputed tour operators like SOTC to get relief from our day-to-day tension. Moreover, I am an old man having retired from active service and therefore do not expect to be harassed and mentally stressed while holidaying. However, on this occasion we were sufficiently harassed and were always mentally stressed due to the inept handling of our programme by SOTC. In view of the above, I seek a refund of Rs 1, 500/- from SOTC paid by me from my own pocket besides an amount of Rs 20, 000/- for accommodating us in lower ranked hotels and unsatisfactory food besides mental agony undergone by us during the above tour, at the earliest. -Sanjiban Banerjee Flat-103, Executive Palace, CA-16/2A Rail Pukur Road, Baguiati, Kolkata-700059 Mob: +91 [protected]

SERVICE VOUCHER BK13013621


1. No vehicle was available to greet us on reaching port Blair, had to call all the agencies to arrange vehicles. No temp traveler was there as suggested and we were arranged in three different vehicles (On the Arrival there were 02 Vehicles 01 Xylo (Mahindra), 01 Enjoy (Chevrolet) & 01 Taxi Just for Luggage’s at the Airport along with our Airport Rep (Shiv Kumar) who was holding the ply card for the client as the client was calling up the Concerned agent from the convierge belt while collecting the luggage itself. Also I hope you are well aware that the cost of 3 vehicle is more than 1 tempo traveled but The tempo traveler was provided for transfers and sightseeing in Port Blair from day 2 onwards)

The Point here is not about the cost of 3 veicles or 4 vehicles. Its the duty of the vendor to provide the customer what has been promised before and we were hoping to travel together as a group. We were left with no choice without any tempo traveller and had to divide the people in seperate cars. The third vehicle had to be arranged to carry luggage after your Representative failed to put them in the brought up cars. I believe this is commonsense that 10 peoples would not fit in 2 vehicles with luggage.


2. Payment of Ross island entry was done by us (We admit that the cash for entry ticket @ Rs 20/- Per Head wasn’t given in the clients hand, Generally you cannot pre book these entry tickets as it in is an maintenance entry charge which the naval base charges on arrival of the client, we are ready to refund the same. Amount mentioned in the total refund amount at the end of the email.)

You are right here but we atleast expect this to be told from your reps there who were seeing up off. I dont know what else are they were there for.


3. Payment of Viper island entry was done by us (There are no Entry Charges)

My bad, You are right here. Got confused with Ross Island.


3. We did not got any tempo traveler but ill condition and ill mouth people in Neil island and Havelock. (At Neil Island we have provided 02 Vehicles to the you t for Site seeing and 01 Vehicle for the Luggage and all the committed site seeing)

You are wrong here. Only 2 Vans were provided to us and we have to adjust in that only with our luggage. Also the Drivers were ill mouth and speaking very rudely to the family members. They are taking the cars even without letting us know many times with all our luggage still in the cars. I dont think you would have taken the responsibility if we had lost any of our belongings.


5. Paid for infants in all cruise drive (Kindly note that the accommodation and meals are free for the infant and therefore we had not charged the client for the same however there is a cost for the ferry charges that needs to be paid directly since we had not collected any amount for the infant.)

That is fair but again the point is to be informed. SOTC had booked the Airtickets for the infants and was well aware of their presence. Even your rep presented there could have told us to avoid the last minute hustle.



6. No guide and help was there to assist us. people were there to literally throw us from point A to B (As there were 02 Tour Coordinators with the client to check for the tour and to inform the tour on day to day basis. We have not included any dedicated tour manager who will be with the group throughout the trip)

Could you please specify what was the job of these Tour Coordinators? the itinerary of the trip was already with us before the travel so I dont think they have informed us anything else on day to day basis. As already mentioned above, we were never informed anything expect our vehicle availability by your cordinators



7. there was a shortage of vehicles in Havelock and they had made arrangements very late. secondly the vehicle never stayed with us and always ran away after leaving us to a spot. we have to wait for hours for them to return. even these taxi drivers misbehaved when we requested them to stay with us for some time to take us back (We had provided 02 Maruti Eco for the client at Havelock & 01 Vehicle for the luggage for transferring from the Hotel to the Harbour, vehicles provided here are on point to point basis and not at disposal. The vehicles were present as per the advised time by the guest. Also note that President of India was at Havelock Island on 12/01/2014, due to VIP movement there was shortage of the vehicles however such incidences are beyond anybody`s control and the you was informed about the same. Also there was no report of vehicle reporting late or any such complain from the client you he was on tour, if they would have reported to us we would have definately looked into it to resolve the same on priority)

Again you are wrong here - Only 1 vehicle was provided to us initially. When told that we are 10 people group, 1 Wagon R (small vehicle) car was arranged and even that had to take 2 Rounds to drop us with luggage. Our group members were attending in the heat because your Coordinators dont have any clue for the number of peoples expected.

Here your representative had asked to take us to the Elephant beach and told the cost is Rs.700/person. When we reached the spot we easily got a deal of Rs.500/person without even negotiating. Your representative felt so bad as he could not cheat us for 200 Rs extra, he left the spot and we had to came back ourselves after reaching back.
I want to inform you that we were continuously reporting to the SOTC and your local vendors about the bad service, but as all of them got unnoticed, how could we expect you to have looked for the problem. We know due to President's trip, there was lot of issues, but here our concern is simple pick and drop to the hotel.



8. During our three island tour in port Blair, we requested the coordinator to take us to a place for eating, they charged us Rs. 500 for waiting half an hour for having some food (The vehicles are in Andaman are not at disposal. The vehicle provided as per predesigned itinerary and any additional use is charged directly to the client. The client used vehicle on Day 1 for having Dinner and our supplier has charged them for the same; however also note that later they have used the vehicle for shopping activities which is not a part of the itinerary for which supplier did not charge you.)

Please notice that when the driver is charging Rs.500 waiting charges, he should be expected to wait there. here in your case the driver flew away to fill his gas tank and utilize the time. Even we had waited till the time he was arrived, so should we expect any charges there. For the second part, we had not used the vehicle for shopping activities, we only asked him to get a round of the city for which we had to wait for 20 mins and make several requests from your cordinator and driver.



Other than this please notice -

9. Before leaving, when we asked your rep about the bad service, he only told us to contact them directly for better service next time and even provided his Visiting card. This only reflects that your reps are well aware about the service they provided and they dont want SOTC to be involved in the business

10. We were told that we will get free snorkelling at Radhanagar beach as part of package, only to know that there is no snorkelling activities at that beach

11. Your representatives in Lucknow told us that all that is written in the initial itinerary mail, is included in tha package. We even checked this with them again but they were very sure of their words. We learnt that when we reached there that there is all seperate cost for Scuba diving and other activities. As I was the organiser of this trip from my family side, I was let down by these wrong informations.


Package tour generally means that the traveller dont have to worry about his stay and travel and should relax in the trip. Keeping this in mind we had booked the tickets via SOTC as we had a bunch of 10 people who would have a good time staying together, but due to this mismanagement I was really let down. My previos trips with MMT and Yatra were always fulfilling and giving the chance to SOTC had really spoiled our mood.

I THINK YOU PEOPLE DONT DESERVE GOOD ACCOUNTS IN LUCKNOW AND I WILL ENSURE YOU DONT GET ANY MORE. We will do our best to keep you starving for good travel accounts in Lucknow through our all possible contacts and authorities.
TRUST ME, A BAD WORD OF MOUTH PUBLICITY WILL DEEPLY COST YOU MORE THAN A MERE 4000 REFUND.

Dear All Below is a detailed letter forwarded to customer care cell of sotc, unfortunately on telephonic conversation took place without any outcome. Dated 10/08/2013 Sir, I am from a small middle class family and want value for money.So I selected SOTC for my first international dream tour with my family .I felt as compared to other tour operater SOTC would be a better choice.I was of the opinion that SOTC is a ethical and professionally managed tour company, but after having experienced I was wrong and after going thru flow of events I feel you will agree to it. 1.Tour was booked on 17th feb 2013 at Holiday mela hosted at The Leela.The Tour name was Value Far East and date of departure was 29th may 2013and departure time was 7.50 am.The tour was booked thru your dadar branch by sales rep. Ms Harshala Jadhav, Currently she has left the job and there after Mr.Vivek was attending to us. The tour cost as negotiated was Rs.1 lac per person, Rs.98000/- for child with extra bed and Rs.75000/- for child without extra bed.The rate of dollar was considered as Rs.54/-.The cost mentioned above was inclusive of all taxes ie service tax and etc.We paid Rs 8000/- as a booking amount for 8 persons. 2.On 14/02/2013 we submitted all the documents asked for Visa alongwith RS.20000/- per person. On recurring follow up regarding status of the visa, we never received a authentic and satisfactory reply.There was even a breakdown of telephone line at dadar office, so we also tried to get information from your churchgate office but no one helped us. 3.As per regular telephonic conversation with Mr.Vivek regarding balance payment, He was not Even clear about our tour cost, he took about a day or two to collect information about our tour Cost and itenary.On 25/05/2013 ie Saturday from morning I was telling Vivek to collect my balance Payment and send my passport, visa and brief sheet but he was delaying the process, since the visas Were still not processed. 4.On 27/05/2013 he sent a person to my office to collect the cheque for INR, but till on that day the visas Were not processed. 5.On 28/05/2013 the day before departure.From morning 11.00 I was waiting for your person who was Suppose to get our passport and visa stamped alongwith our flight tickets and briefing sheet.I had To skip my office on that day.On recurring phone calls with Vivek regarding the person visiting my Residence, he only use to give my assurance he will reach within some time.At approximately at 5 pm Your person arrived at my residence with my passport and visas stamped alongwith briefing sheet But without flight tickets.While going thru the passport and visa, there was a wrong photo pasted on Malayasian visa of my wife’s passport.You just imagine the situation of a person who is supposed to Fly on 29/05/2013 7.50 am and does not have a valid visa.I returned back the passport to your Person alongwith the dollar payment .ON enquiring regarding the flight tickets, Vivek replied since Payment was balanced the tickets were not issued.I was insisting to collect the payment but no One turned up to collect the payment.At approximately 8.00 pm your person arrived at my residence With Malaysian visa rectified alongwith flight tickets. 6.We felt at last every thing is put in place.It was a biggest shock when i saw the tickets, the departure Time was 1.05 am instead of 7.50 am.You can imagine situation.I called Vivek on his cell to Understand if there was any mistake, but within 10 minutes he reverted saying the actual fact Remains the same ie 1.05 for which I need to reach the airport by 10.pm.My son was not at home And I was totally lost and could not understand how to manage the situation. 7.Without having dinner all 8 o[censored]s rushed to the airport to report at 10.pm 8.While booking we had specifically mentioned for jain food in flight but was not booked. 9.At various location we were allotted 2 single bed rooms instead of kingsize beds.On insisting we Were informed that there no other rooms available so you have to adjust.I could not understand the The fact that even after booking the tour 3 months back the basics were not provided. You are the better judge to deal With this type of dissaticfaction. Thanking you Sandeep Gala

I selected S.O.T.C. for Europe Tour during May & June 2013. I booked 3 tickets In February itself at SOTC Thane Office .As we wanted to visit our relatives in Netherlands after the tour, we told to book return tickets from Amsterdam. As our route was different, we paid Rs 10000 Per Person Extra as Deviation Charges & Rs 1500 Per Person as Hub Change Charges well in advance. S.O.T.C. brochure says " ...On arrival you will be met by SOTC tour Manager/Local Representative outside the customs area, who will welcome you and take you to the hotel for check-in. " We were verbally told by Thane Office “Please wait for 2 hours at Paris Airport, as a group of passengers will arrive by Emirates flight.” . We arrived at Paris Airport at 8 a.m. We walked for 25 minutes with our luggage to Emirates Arrival Terminal . We wore SOTC Caps on our heads so that co passengers/ SOTC personnel would recognize us. (In the Paris Airport cap was not at all required ). Even after Emirates Flight arrival we waited for about one hour, but in vain. We did not come across any co passenger/SOTC personnel. We used our International Calling Card and called Tour Manger Ms Smita Chinoy. She did NOT TAKE the call at all ! We therefore called SOTC Thane office (Thank GOD it was working day & call reached within working hours ) & told that we are stranded at Paris Airport & Tour Manager in not answering calls. After SOTC Thane office contacted Ms Chinoy, she called us & told that she WILL NOT come to Paris Airport to take us. She told us to take a cab & submit receipt to Thane Office . We incurred EURO 75.60 for the cab from Paris Airport to Hotel. At current price of Rs 85 =1 EURO, it comes to Rs 6426. ! We did not get any Breakfast in the morning. Lunch was NOT provided in the tour (It was declared beforehand, so no issues). Dinner was provided at 10.30 p.m. ! How can I call it as HOSPITALITY ? It deserves to be describes as HOSTILITY . After returning to Thane, I submitted Receipt of Euros 75.60 & obtained their acknowledgement. SOTC Thane Office forwarded it to appropriate Department of SOTC. After about a dozen phonecalls, SOTC acknowledged the same . After more follow up, SOTC Sent reply that Taxi fare cannot be reimbursed. I am not able to understand why they required 2 months for rejection ? Perhaps they think, INDIANS are not much educated, they will easily accept whatever SOTC says . They had NO COURTSEY to express apology about whatever happened, how much trouble & humiliation we faced . It is a mystery why NOBODY IN SOTC told me earlier about the rules EVEN AFTER BOOKING ?? I visited SOTC Thane office 5 times or more with my wife. I made at least 20 phonecalls to SOTC BEFORE Departure for various reasons related to our tour . EVERYBODY KEPT MUM ON ALL OCASSIONS . After 2 months SOTC wrote an essay stating why reimbursement is not possible ! They were “searching” for excuse to refuse reimbursement ! They wrote “thanks for joining USA Tour.. “, We never uttered USA With SOTC . This is 100 % proof that my complaints were neither read correctly, nor understood correctly by SOTC ! I intend to initiate Legal Action for all humiliation faced by us . I request you to avoid SOTC in order to avoid own insult & loss of money, loss of mental peace.

We were in Park Inn hotel provided by SOTC in Paris during Europe tour. While we were in hotel, our baggage was taken away from hotel which include my Diamond & Gold jewellery, mobiles, bank cards, 1300 Euros cash, cloths & shoes. No one from SOTC helped us in investigation or lodging the complaint. Even we were told that we will not get it back at all even if we lodge the complaint. Rudeness of Hotel & SOTC staff was evidently showing that they are also involved in it. We asked SOTC to have a check on this and get our money back as this is hard earned money by me and my husband but SOTC is asking 7-10 days time to investigate. I don't understand that in this century it takes 10 days to confirm that a customer had been robbed while everyone is connected through internet & phone. We have filled a police complaint in Paris. We have the copy with us. I'm not getting any responsible answer from SOTC side. I want to lodge a police complaint in Delhi against SOTC. Shilpa

We are surprised or rather shocked, even after making you aware of medical conditions before the tour and problems faced by our parents in the ON going tour, the difficulties did not stop. Fresh and different problems were a part & major parcel of their tour to USA.

You can refer to our trail mails. I would like you to be aware of your inefficiency, incapability, & Height of ignorance.

1. At New York airport, on arrival after almost 20 hrs flight they were asked to wait for more than 2 & 1/2 hrs as some other passengers were arriving by different flights at different time. You were not aware of everyone’s flight schedules or choose to ignore? If you were aware you could have booked transport according to arrivals.

2. At Washington, due to NON PAYMENT BY SOTC/Kuoni to the hotel, all the tour members did not get rooms in the said same hotel. Our parents had to go to another hotel at 12 midnight. The reason of not getting rooms was disclosed by your own tour manager Ms. Namrata.

3. Enroute to Niagara, The coach had a breakdown & all passengers had to wait for over 3 hours without food & water. At that point my father (Mahendra Vasa) Fell down & was injured on his left knee. He was bleeding. THE COACH DID HAVE FIRST AID BOX WHICH WAS EMPTY. Even an Indian tourist coaches have first aid boxes which is MANDATORY. Your very own tour manager Ms. Namrata also did not have any first aid, no antiseptic, any bandage, and not even cotton. ( Attached is the wound pic taken after they returned back to india. Almost 15 days after he was injured)

4. On reaching the hotel, our family requested Mr. Namrata to help them with some first aid. The reply they got, we don’t even wish to mention. They had to run around and keep requesting hotel staff for assistances themselves, which they got NONE. Only at the next destination at Orland the hotel staff very cordially assisted & the doctor on call attended him for 2 days for dressing. 3 days after getting hurt, he got some treatment. We guarantee you; Madam Namrata still doesn’t know he got some treatment at Orland as she was just not bothered.

5. Orlando – Epcot center: Everyday bus was 15 min to 30 min late from the decided time for pick up, which we understand. But this particular day bus was 1 and ½ hours late for pick up. After 10 hours of moving around in the theme park, all the tour members had to wait outside, where there was no waiting area, no benches or chairs to even sit. After walking around the park for whole day how can anyone STAND for 90 minutes??

6. Las Vegas – For dinner & breakfast you expect tour members to walk for 30 min ONE WAY (30 min to reach & 30 min to come back) to reach the restaurant? Can’t you just arrange for transport?? What kind of service is this?

7. San Francisco – For their return journey, there was no assistances. A coach did arrive for transfer to the airport. Even after mentioning to the driver INTERNATIONAL terminal, the coach driver dropped them at domestic terminal. All the way from domestic to international terminal they had to drag their luggage, which was almost half a mile apart

8. Food was pathetic. The whole tour members had to boycott the food. Only after that it improved A LITTLE.

9. Three Lunches’ were not provided, which was mentioned in the itenary. From which two were compensated by giving $10 each.

10. Tour Managers: Your direct contact with the tour members is through your tour managers. But all of them were pathetic. Ms. Namrata: There was just no guidance from her side. No suggestions or help of any kind. Mr. Vikas : In our personal opinion he needs a psychiatrist. He was not efficient. Half of the time he would read from his paper & give out instructions. He himself had not visited so many places. Then how can he guide the tour members. All the time he was confused. Whenever somebody would try speaking to him or ask him something he would say “wait otherwise I will forget what I was thinking and I will forget what i have to say.

For your reference details of our family travelled with you: (Tour started on 18th may 2013.)
1. Mr. Mahendra Vasa - Age: 69 yrs – Double heart valve replaced in December 2008.
2. Mrs. Indira Vasa - Age: 66 yrs – BP problem & knee problem
3. Mr. Anil Parekh - Age: 63 yrs
4. Mrs. Bharti Parekh - Age: 62 yrs

As you can see listed above, problems & inefficiency from sotc/Kuoni started from the time our parents landed at New York airport & lasted till they caught a flight back from San Francisco.

Our parents are actually relived that they reached home safely. Obviously we cannot repeat the mistake o[censored]sing services of SOTC/kuoni. But due to such bad experience in foreign land they donot wish to travel anywhere else. The whole experience has actually been traumatic for them.

Our biggest & most expensive mistake in life till date is to send our parents through SOTC/Kuoni. Our respective Dad had always dreamt to visit USA. So it was almost our mission to send them there, but now we are repenting big time.

If we don’t get a satisfactory written reply within 2 days, it means you are pushing us to use our rights as a consumer to contact the grievance cell.

Thanks
Ritesh Vasa & Bhavin Parekh
+91 [protected] – Ritesh
+91 [protected] - Bhavin