A COUPLE'S dream holiday turned into a nightmare when armed guards held them hostage in their hotel over an unpaid bill following the collapse of travel firm XL.
Matthew Bailey and girlfriend Heather Armitage found themselves surrounded by Egyptian police, armed guards and hotel security when they tried to leave their hotel at the end of a two week stay in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The couple from Park Avenue, New Lodge, were told they had to pay £3,000 or they 'would not be leaving Egypt' onboard their flight on Sunday.
"It was frightening at the time. The atmosphere was awkward and everyone was on edge," said Matthew, 28. "There were tourist police, armed guards and extra security to stop us from leaving."
Web salesman Matthew said they booked their 5-star luxury holiday online through 'Travel Republic' and had no idea the accommodation was through a sister company of XL.
But on Saturday there was a note pushed under their door, telling them to go to reception before they were due to leave at 10.30am. The pair went to check out the next morning and were told they had to pay an enormous bill for the £195-a-night resort.
"I told them we were not with XL but the hotel staff just laughed . I think they saw us as easy targets. We felt like criminals - like we had done something wrong when we hadn't. We'd already paid for our holiday." His parents eventually got through to the travel company who negotiated the fee down to £1,000 - the amount XL were contracted to pay.
"I would have loved to have gone back but not anymore. It was the worst day of my life."
