Love the Dominican Republic and her people..but dislike corporations

Chemtrans · #1 01-08-2005, 08:36 PM

As usual we had a wonderful time vacationing in Punta Cana at the end of October,2004. The people of the D.R. are such gracious hosts..even after the hurricane that caused so much damage. A word to the wise though...corporations or resort owners do not have the same respect and or goodwill that the average Dominican has. A week in paradise was followed by a month in hell for my wife. We stayed at the Gran Paradise Bavaro...and upon our return home the very next day my wife was diagnosed with salmonella poisoning..after extensive medical test and further follow up it has been determined from our local health Unit that indeed she would have contracted this at the resort. The amhsa marina company of course is in denial and instead of an apology or even a gesture of goodwill has adamantly stated that it is impossible to have happened at their resort!! What poppycock..bull**** ...whatever!!! I would suggest to anyone going to the D.R. from Canada (at least) that you check out all the details of your tour operator...Sunwing vacations seems to have abandon us...as well we have dealt with Signature vacations before this and will now return to their capable hands....love the Dominican Republic...will vacation there this year as well..but will have nothing to do with ahmsa, Gran Paradise bavaro...or any related corporations and or owners who disrespect the paying tourist......nothing against the wonderful Dominican people obviously we would not return except for our love affair with the country and the true people of the island...unfortunately we need the entrepeneurs ...hopefu;lly some day the owners and operators will be the people!!!!! God Bless for a new year of hope!!!! And for those in canada buy free trade coffee...Amen!!1

Chris · #2 01-08-2005, 08:48 PM

So, why not leave the resorts and actually meet the people of the DR? I don't mean for this to sound so callous as an introductory sentence - I'm so sorry that your wife contracted a food related illness and had a hard time after your vacation.

There is so much more to the DR than AI's and you could have a such a wonderful vacation without going the 'corporation' route. And I'm in full agreement with what I think you mean as "fairtrade" coffee! and buy fairtrade bananas and fairtrade vegetables and fairtrade everything.....

Keith R · #3 01-08-2005, 09:49 PM

Yeah, taking responsibility for making mistakes is not big among alot of Dominican businesses, I found while living there, sorry to say. Or even if they're not sure it was their fault, at least to recognize that they should do something to defuse a situation and ensure client retention....I have dozens of stories, as I sure all on this board who have lived there do, and a search of the archives would find many.

katty · #4 01-08-2005, 10:04 PM

these people need to understand this is not us or can standards
I am an american go to DR every 6 months ffor 6 months at a ttime get a grip

Keith R · #5 01-08-2005, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katty

these people need to understand this is not us or can standards

What does that have to do with proper food hygiene and preparation? You do know what samonella is, don't you? If you stay in a hotel, any hotel, AI or not, or any restaurant for that matter, shouldn't you expect safe food?

caribbean_bride · #6 01-09-2005, 12:09 AM

Where else is one to stay if they don't stay at an AI when visiting Punta Cana? That is all that there is there.

suarezn · #7 01-09-2005, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith R

Yeah, taking responsibility for making mistakes is not big among alot of Dominican businesses, I found while living there, sorry to say. Or even if they're not sure it was their fault, at least to recognize that they should do something to defuse a situation and ensure client retention....I have dozens of stories, as I sure all on this board who have lived there do, and a search of the archives would find many.

As far as I understand it, these hotel chains are not owned by Dominicans, but by Spaniards, French, Americans, etc...

trina · #8 01-09-2005, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katty

these people need to understand this is not us or can standards
I am an american go to DR every 6 months ffor 6 months at a ttime get a grip

Are you saying there is no salmonella in Canada or US? This was a very well-written critique from the OP - I would be a little upset if I paid lots of $$$ to contract food poisoning, and then not even have my complaint acknowledged, as well. As Keith said, many Dominican companies do not take responsibility, and the law unfortunately does not do much to protect tourists from getting scammed or compensating damages from corporations such as this.

There was no need to attack the OP, luckily they understand that this is an isolated experience and will return to the DR.

Pib · #9 01-09-2005, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suarezn

As far as I understand it, these hotel chains are not owned by Dominicans, but by Spaniards, French, Americans, etc...

Before your post continue to be ignored...

One has a right to spend a vacation without getting sick of anything due to negligence on the part of these companies. If that was certainly the case, then one more reason to stay away from AIs.

FireGuy · #10 01-09-2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suarezn

As far as I understand it, these hotel chains are not owned by Dominicans, but by Spaniards, French, Americans, etc...

I think you might want to do a little investigation on this matter. While I believe what you say is generally true (with the largest foreign ownership group being Spanish) I seem to recall that AMHSA Marina is significantly, if not mostly, Dominican owned. I am not confident enough to declare this as fact but I will get back with my findings if I am able to get more info. In the mean while if anyone has info, please post.

Gregg