Dear Editor,

With the present unrest in Tibet and the China Olympic celebrations just a few weeks away, I think I ought to let readers have a follow-up of my recent experience, particularly those intending to visit that part of the world in the near future.

I mentioned the in-depth interview I had at Hong Kong airport and how, at the end of the return flight to London, I found my (collapsible) suitcase vandalised, a strip peeled away and a hole crudely gouged at the base. My suitcase was intact when I checked in.

My holiday was arranged through a popular tour operator/travel agency.

They chose the hotel and the airline – Hong Kong’s national carrier, an airline which was recently awarded the title “world’s best airline”. Suitcase in hand, I visited the travel agency to complain and, on their advice, sent a letter of complaint to the airline’s London Office, enclosing a picture of the damaged suitcase.

After two months without hearing from the airline about a settlement, I took my complaint to two public bodies concerned with consumer issues. They acted swiftly and, shortly after, I received a cheque to cover the cost of a replacement suitcase. I have no doubt that, without the combined ‘might’ of those two influential bodies, my complaint would still be in limbo.

I think Caribbean people travelling to China should be very careful and, if possible, have a spare key at the ready – just in case. I still feel sick when I think that a mischief-making ‘insider’ could easily have planted a prohibited substance in my vandalised suitcase, only to produce it at an opportune moment and land me in a lot of trouble!

Such a let down after a marvellous holiday in that fascinating country. I found the people courteous, friendly and super-efficient. In fact, theirs is the most efficient workforce I have come across so far in my travels worldwide. They work in a quick, quiet, orderly manner and seem to have perfect hand and eye coordination.

Yours faithfully,

G. Dennison