I took a group of 73 seniors to the Tutankhamun exhibition at The O₂ recently. The tickets clearly stated that the entrance price included headphones for the commentary.

On arrival at 10am, we were told that we did not need to go through together and if some wanted to get coffee first, to do so. The group then dispersed, each member having their own ticket.

On meeting at the end of the morning, it transpired that some 26 members were refused headphones without payment of a further four pound. Despite pointing out to the gate staff that the ticket stated they were included, they were still refused. Not wishing to cause a fuss, they paid up. At our monthly meeting the following day, we learned that others were issued headphones without question and some refused to pay the four pound and viewed the exhibition by vision only, despite several of them having poor eyesight.

I would just like to warn future group visitors of this incident and to make sure they are aware of what is included.

Barbara Talbot
Outings Organiser
Wilmington Active Retirement Association, Kent

GTO asked Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs to respond:

Our goal is to ensure a smooth experience for each patron who visits ‘Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs’. The exhibit has hosted more than 100,000 group visitors, and satisfaction remains high among those patrons. When a concern is brought to our attention, we make every attempt to rectify the situation and are pleased to have been able to provide a refund in this instance. The producers of the exhibition are working with the tour group to fully refund the cost of the headphones for all 26 visitors and apologise to the Wilmington Active Retirement Group for any inconvenience.

Jaclyn Pyatt
General Manager
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs