Honduras-barcelo -been There?

[travelgirl]

Posted by travelgirl on January 16, 2003 at 13:24:38:

This is a fairly new resort, and I' interested if anybody has been? Any reports?

[rodraad]

Posted by rodraad on January 16, 2003 at 20:09:30:

In Reply to: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by travelgirl on January 16, 2003 at 13:24:38:

travelgirl

found this report

http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/story/764466p-905724c.html

[travelgirl]

Posted by travelgirl on January 17, 2003 at 08:34:14:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by rodraad on January 16, 2003 at 20:09:30:

rodraad

Thanks Rodraad, I checked into the link you provided- in fact, that was me asking the question of Sam Ion! Sounds like he/she had a good time, so it's 1 for, 1 against. Anybody else??

[rodraad]

Posted by rodraad on January 17, 2003 at 16:46:45:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by travelgirl on January 17, 2003 at 08:34:14:

travelgirl

oh ha ha ha

what a small world

did you here something negatve??

[travelgirl]

Posted by travelgirl on January 20, 2003 at 08:52:38:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by rodraad on January 17, 2003 at 16:46:45:

rodraad

I've only read 1 report, and the traveller (and the rest of the resort, by the sounds of it) got food poisoning, complete with IV drip tied by a shoelace to the ceiling fan! It was on Fodors messageboard, under "latin america".

[rodraad]

Posted by rodraad on January 20, 2003 at 10:16:19:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by travelgirl on January 20, 2003 at 08:52:38:

travelgirl

Yes I did see that one too

At the least - I'd be very careful with food there
Especially with that other report on turq.com
Hope they can get these start-up problems fixed


I usually take six pepto bismo tablets a day (2 x 3) when I am down south - helps me

[rodraad]

Posted by rodraad on January 30, 2003 at 18:31:43:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by rodraad on January 20, 2003 at 10:16:19:

rodraad

This is a rumour

Someone told me World of Vacations cancelled this resort for the season

I am very careful what I say - as I do not want to panic anybody

But it appears logical to cancel considering the reports

[Eva]

Posted by Eva on February 03, 2003 at 13:30:43:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? RUMOUR CANCELLED posted by rodraad on January 30, 2003 at 18:31:43:

rodraad

World of Vacations officially pulled all their tourists out of both the mainland and island locations as of yesterday, Sunday, the 2nd February 2003. Travel agents were informed that tourists were being moved for their own safety because of inclement weather conditions. The guests staying at Barcelo Palma Real Resort were informed by Ralph CORVINO, a troubleshooter sent by WOV on Thursday, 30th January 2003 that there was a virus in the hotel and too many people were getting sick. Symptoms involved cramping, vomiting and diarrhea amongst others. They had an outbreak in December which he said had been dealt with but it has been reoccuring and the decision was made to pull out of Honduras.

Despite between 70-80% sickness rate among hotel guests, we were advised that buses would be waiting to take us to San Pedro Sula early the next morning, a three hour journey. No option was given of taking a local plane from La Ceiba nearby to San Pedro Sula (40 mins) for those who were sick that morning such as myself.

WOV advise that they do not know what people have been suffering from. Mr. Corvino suggested traveller's diarrhea. You do not close a resort due to traveller's diarrhea, Mr. Corvino. Speculations about possible sources are numerous (rather worryingly, there were so many options) and include the sewage system, incorrect food handling, keeping food at the wrong temperature and of course, the Norwalk virus. In any case, travellers are advised to consult their physicians on their return for a complete checkup. We may never find out what the real cause of the sickness was and even if WOV knows, they will not tell us and open themselves up to a lawsuit. Several facts remain. WOV placed all passengers at risk this week to Barcelo, knowingly; during previous outbreaks, fecal samples should have been collected from sick guests to establish whether this was just traveller's diarrhea or something more serious such as E. Coli. World of Vacations had a duty to their customers to make sure the hotel was closed and sanitised properly after the first outbreak.

I adored the resort and will of course return to Honduras at a future date. Being sick can happen anywhere. But what I was not ready for was the chaotic and incompetent manner in which this matter was dealt and the careless disregard displayed by World of Vacations for its customers.

After two further days in San Pedro Sula, we returned back to Canada via Cancun and Montreal. What a trip! I wonder if WOV should advertise a special trip with the return journey San Pedro Sula - Cancun - Montreal - Toronto. This is not how you treat people who have been sick.

We were particularly worried for a number of elderly people on the trip who really should have been advised of the risks better. Travel agents should have been sending travellers to the local Travel Clinic for advice on vaccinations and anti-malaria precautions. Honduras is a developing tourist area but it does pose certain health risks which should be minimised prior to travel.

Thanks to Air Transat staff for doing a tremendous job getting us home in one piece. We spent over 9 hours on the aircraft and some people were still being ill. Personal thanks to Explore Honduras and Lucille who took care of me on Thursday on the bus. Honduras is a beautiful, unspoilt country and we will be happy to return.

NO THANKS to World of Vacations who had no reps at the airport to meet us or at their desk even though they promised that someone would be there to help with rearranging connecting flights and hotel accomodation. To the couple from Winnipeg who were stranded at TO airport, we hope you are on your way home by now.

Dear World of Vacations, you really could have done a better job of this one. You will be hearing from us in writing. Nothing but a full refund on this one.

(Those who booked the two week vacation have already been offered a full refund after staying only 6 days; those who only had booked for 1 week were offered $500. Information may vary for each group/hotel.)

[Irene Tabora]

Posted by Irene Tabora on August 01, 2003 at 00:21:51:

In Reply to: Honduras was not ready for tourism says World of Vacations posted by Eva on February 03, 2003 at 13:30:43:

Eva

Interestingly enough, we stayed in Barcelo right before Christmas. Upon returning the US in January, I was hospitalized for 3 weeks with a serious virus that the Drs were never able to figure out what it was!
I wonder if it was something I caught during my stay at Barcelo.

[Eva]

Posted by Eva on February 03, 2003 at 13:44:29:

In Reply to: Honduras was not ready for tourism says World of Vacations posted by Eva on February 03, 2003 at 13:30:43:

Eva

Sincere apologies to Ralph Corvino, who was actually one of the people staying at the Barcelo Resort who was collecting names of people who wished to present their case to WOV. This name was given to me by mistake in the very early, bleary hours of this morning.

The name of the WOV troubleshooter sent down from Panama was Reynald VOYER. Perhaps a fellow traveller can confirm this for the benefit of the other passengers.

Sorry again, Ralph.

[Carole Bunz]

Posted by Carole Bunz on November 25, 2003 at 18:49:17:

In Reply to: Re: Honduras was not ready for tourism says World of Vacations posted by June Brygider on July 01, 2003 at 21:56:08:

June Brygider

Is anyone still having problems with their health since Honduras ?

I have an un-identifable bladder infection which has persisted for several months since Honduras.

They are now thinking it could be a parasite or some foreign infection that doesn't show up under normal testing.

I have been on antibiotics pretty well monthly since our return.

I would be interested in hearing from any one still ill to see if they have had any diagnoses.

[rodraad]

Posted by rodraad on January 18, 2003 at 19:00:24:

In Reply to: Re: HONDURAS-BARCELO -BEEN THERE? posted by rodraad on January 17, 2003 at 16:46:45:

rodraad

and try this one

http://www.turq.com/wwwboard/messages/5857.html