Hand washing, bottled water important

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Ron Pradinuk/Winnipeg Free Press Tipping is not required at all-inclusive resorts, yet many leave money for the chamber maids and tip porters.

While booking inquiries are fast turning to Europe and beyond, travel questions are still coming in relating to sunspot travel plans for the remainder of the season.

QUESTION: We are travelling to the Dominican Republic with my husband and two boys. People have said we could easily contract traveller's diarrhea at that destination. We are thinking of taking Dukarol prior to departure. My spouse thinks it's a waste of money. What are your thoughts?

Also, are we advised to brush our teeth with bottled water, and if so is the ice safe in such a resort?

ANSWER: While there are serious traveller's diarrhea outbreaks that take place in our most travelled to winter destinations from time to time, for the most part it should not be a problem if you take the normal precautions. Frequent hand washing and drinking bottled water is important.

To my knowledge the Dominican Republic is no more problematic than any other area.

I assume you have taken care of getting appropriate vaccinations for your trip. This preventative action is important both from the vaccinations which may be recommended to you as well as the information and education you will receive to reduce chances of contracting anything.

In regards to Dukarol, it truly is a personal decision. Because the product is only effective against less than 25 per cent of the potential known ways you can contract traveller's diarrhea, some physicians shy away from making strong recommendations for its use.

Those who have suffered from this vacation ruining affliction may feel cutting the odds down by near 25 per cent is worth the investment. These people feel they are ready to take their chances on the other 75 per cent.

In regards to your second question, I recommend using only bottled water to brush teeth including wetting and rinsing the toothbrush. At most all-inclusive water is free in your room anyway.

While you shouldn't drink tap water in most of our Mexican and Caribbean destinations, ice cubes are usually made from water that has been purified. As a result you should have no problem in using ice at any of the all-inclusive properties.

However, we all have to count on the cleanliness of the staff handing ice, glasses, and food to ensure we don't get sick.

QUESTION: I follow travel sites on Twitter and Facebook as well as a number of other travel websites that feature trip reviews of hotels, resorts and countries. There seems to be some question about their validity.

What is your view about information from these sources?

ANSWER: Well obviously any information from my Facebook, tweets or blog must be 100 per cent valid and trustworthy, this writer said.

More seriously, while in most circles social media may be exerting powerful influences, recent research relating specifically to the travel sector would suggest the influence here is not so pervasive.

While the study was British-based and we cannot automatically be assume that the results are valid for Canadians, they are interesting indeed.

In regards to travel reviews, the survey found only about 10 per cent of people would not book a hotel or trip because of negative statements.

While searching sites and using social media for information is common, most participants are not interested in price point information, but rather they seek feedback and information from those who have traveled to their contemplated destination or property beforehand.

The big two, Facebook and Twitter, did not play a huge role in the planning process of travelers.

In the tourism sector, old-fashioned word of mouth, hard-copy brochures, and advice from close friends and family far outweigh all other influences.

In a more modern vein, travellers do enjoy navigating through good easy to use websites that offer simplicity and clarity.

QUESTION: We are leaving soon for Manzanillo and staying at the Karmina Palace. We wonder, what is the tipping protocol at all-inclusive resorts? In the past we are not sure if we were doing it right,

ANSWER: From my observation at all-inclusive, there is no such thing as doing it right.

I have seen people tip with every drink and meal, and many more not tip at all.

Having just come back from an all-inclusive in Los Cabos in the big bars the servers almost seemed to expect a tip, hanging around to get one.

Many tipped but I would still say most did not.

And I noticed there were people who always tipped at meals. I do not tip at meals.

From a survey I did some time ago through this column, leaving a tip for the chamber maid seems quite common.

It is still very much a personal decision. The staffs do not seem to treat those who do not tip any less friendly than those who do.

Even though the service is included, I know the people who carry your luggage to and from your room make the least wages at many resorts. Management is aware that this is still a service that most are willing to tip for, so these porters do count on tips from the clients for whom they carry luggage.

Forward your travel questions to askjourneys@journeystravel.com Ron Pradinuk is president of Journeys Travel & Leisure SuperCentre and can be heard Sundays at noon on CJOB. Previous columns and tips can be found on www.journeystravelgear.com or read Ron's travel blog at www.thattravelguy.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 18, 2012 D7