A press trip turned sour for journalist James Barber, who had to find almost £170 when fog meant a flight delay and an unexpected night in a hotel.

The travel PR firm running the trip won’t be picking up the bill after organising the two-day stay in the Isles of Scilly.

And sub-editor James, who works for The Argus in Brighton, is now warning other journalists to ensure they are covered in case they suffer similar problems.

He said: “The Massey Partnership invited someone from my paper to visit the Isles of Scilly, staying at two hotels which are clients of theirs.

“I took up the offer, which included my partner, and Massey organised flights from Bristol to the Isles, a night at a hotel on Bryher and a second night on the Island Hotel on Tresco.”

Back at the office

“All the organisation went well until we travelled to Bristol to find the Isles fogged in, meaning our flight could not get in that day.

“We were flown to Land’s End and then ferried to Penzance where the plane company, Skybus, organised an emergency hotel for us (and the many other private holidaymakers marooned at the end of Cornwall unexpectedly).

“It was on a bed and breakfast basis so we had to organise our own evening meal. The hotel room cost £118 and the meal £50 but I thought the bill would be covered. Massey have refused to pay, and said I should have organised my own insurance.”

James said there was no warning of the likelihood of poor weather – or the need for insurance in any details – and as guests of Kensington-based Massey he would have expected them to pay the extra expenses.

He added: “We did get to Tresco the following day and had a fantastic time at the Island Hotel, where we were very well looked after by friendly, efficient staff.

“I’m not writing anything until they make an attempt to ease this financial burden, which I can ill-afford – and I warn other journalists to take great care if they are invited on any trips.”

The Massey Partnership is one of the UK’s leading public relations agencies for privately owned hotels, travel, lifestyle and leisure products.

Company director Diane Coyne said she was sorry about the expense incurred but explained the facility offered on an individual basis to James and his partner covered the hotels and the flights, rather than an inclusive package from door to door.

She said: “The fact he encountered fog and was unable to fly is something we have no control over. It was an individual invitation to stay at the hotels rather than a press visit and we were able to invite his partner and also provide air travel.

“We represent the hotels and this was one of those terribly unfortunate incidents. I am sure they had the best possible stay when they got there.

“I don’t believe we are being unreasonable about this. We’d expect someone in this situation to have travel insurance – it is very cheap these days.”

Tresco: “Fantastic”

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