120,000 stranded Thomas Cook holidaymakers told to ‘enjoy their stay’ despite demands for payment

Customers report being threatened with eviction from hotels unless they pay for holidays again

The government has called in the Insolvency Services to look into the collapse of Thomas Cook (PA)

Thomas Cook holidaymakers currently stranded abroad after the company went bust this week have been told to “enjoy the rest of their stay”, amid increasing demands for payment from hotels.

The chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the body responsible for flying everyone home after the collapse, said a fifth of affected customers were now back in the UK.

Richard Moriarty said: “We have now operated over 130 flights in the first two days of this operation, returning almost 30,000 people to the UK.

“So far, we are flying home 95 per cent of people on their original date of departure at the end of their holiday.

“I would like those remaining on holiday to enjoy the rest of their stay because we aim to also fly you home on the day when you were originally booked to fly with Thomas Cook, or very shortly thereafter.”

However, the advice comes as holidaymakers report being pressured to settle bills by hotels that are owed money by Thomas Cook.

Tour operators typically work on 60-90 day terms, meaning resorts currently hosting Thomas Cook guests have not yet been paid.

The latest example is the Paradisus Rio de Oro hotel in Cuba, which held holidaymakers “to ransom”.

One member of Thomas Cook cabin crew, Danny Cossar, reported on video: “We were due to check out and get to the airport this afternoon. We were taken back off the bus, and we were told, as well as the passengers, we all had to pay.

“We feel completely isolated over here, no real communication at all, it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing if we can get this flight home tonight or whether we’ll be here for the night.

“We haven’t any rooms, there’s nothing put in place for us, it’s just a waiting game.”

The British Ambassador to Havana, Antony Stokes, had to negotiate with the Cuban authorities to ensure customers and crew were allowed to leave for the airport without paying again.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers were left distraught after a hotel in Tenerife reportedly demanded they pay more than £1,000 or be kicked out of their rooms.

A property in the Playa de las Americas resort slipped notes under guests’ doors telling them to contact reception immediately, where they were presented with bills, despite having pre-paid for their package holidays.

Stacey Robinson, 28, was halfway through a holiday with her partner and nine-month-old daughter when the company collapsed, reports Manchester Evening News.

Ms Robinson says she was handed a piece of paper with £1,038 – the sum thought to be owed by Thomas Cook – written on it. Staff told her to pay up within two hours or risk being turfed out of the property.

“I was in tears as we don’t have that kind of money,” she said.

“We are just sat waiting in our room because we are scared if we leave we will end up being locked out.”

Other holidaymakers appeared to be in the same position.

Package holidays are protected under the Atol scheme, meaning the CAA settles up any outstanding hotel bills rather than the guests themselves.

A UK government spokesperson said: “We understand that this is a hugely distressing situation for Thomas Cook passengers, people with holidays booked with Thomas Cook and Thomas Cook staff.

“The government have deployed teams on the ground to support those affected, and are in contact with local authorities and hotels.”