Guests “disgusted” with Tour Operator as “sickness bug” sweeps through Taurito Princess, Gran Canaria

Recent guests at the all-inclusive Taurito Princess hotel in Gran Canaria say that diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms have swept through the resort, with one account claiming that the outbreak was established before they arrived, and that the Tour Operator should have issued warnings.

Some TripAdvisor reviewers claim they were told that Norovirus was responsible for making guests ill, while some made observations of poor food hygiene in the restaurants.  Baldie02, staying at the hotel in December, says:

“Would have been nice if someone at Tui had let us know the norovirus was rife in the Taurito Princess hotel before we went. We were NOT told about the outbreak until we got it. DISGUSTED with Tui and hotel reps for not informing us. My partner and myself both have medical conditions.”

Wocko2018, a visitor in early December, says that his rep told him of an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting at the hotel, also stating that “In the restaurant food was not covered which allowed flies to settle. The food was always cold.”

Some more recently-posted reviews for January stays claim the problem has continued to plague holidaymakers:

“There are lots of positives, lovely hotel, great location, lovely weather. However….I had read about D & V before we went and was concerned and unfortunately my family did have severe D & V. As per other guests comments from the Rep. We were told it’s “going around the island”. I’m afraid it does seem there is an outbreak in the hotel. I was told other guests had also had to call out the doctor.” Jen21378

“Oh no, despite taking every precaution my husband had d and v on the fifth day of our holiday,very ill for several hours. No idea what caused this as I was fine, however there is obviously something going on,if so many people are falling ill…” Jaynio, January 2019

Tour Operators of course have a responsibility to work with their partner hotels to have food hygiene procedures in place to help stop customers falling victim to a food borne illness.  It’s of course more difficult to prevent the spread of highly-contagious viral illnesses that can rapidly spread between individuals.

Norovirus, for example is spread very easily, from contact between infected people or by coming into contact with food or surfaces that have been touched by an infected person.  It typically causes short-lived vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms which resolve in a few days without further complications. It’s difficult to completely eliminate the risk of people catching the virus, but several basic measures can be taken to prevent it spreading.  Alcohol-based hand gels do not kill the virus.

If episodes of illness are indeed viral rather than through guests ingesting some other food-borne pathogen, then hotels should demonstrate that the following actions were carried out when they became aware of the outbreak:

• that appropriate hygiene steps were taken to prevent a spread of the illness
• that they communicated details of the outbreak to resident guests and provided appropriate advice

What should I do?

If you and/or other members of your travelling party have been stricken by illness as a result of of inadequate hygiene practices at this hotel, we would recommend that you:

• Seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity
• Report your illness and any hygiene concerns to the Tour Representative, or if you have returned to the UK, to the Tour Operator
• Keep evidence of any expenses arising from your illness (eg medication costs, taxis to hospitals/clinics, loss of earnings)
• Document and take photographs of any hygiene problems you identify at the resort
• Stay in touch with, and keep contact details for, anyone else you talk to at the resort who has experienced similar symptoms
• Seek legal advice
• Keep hold of your booking documents, payment confirmation and ATOL certificate

What we can do to help

Our specialist solicitors could help you secure the award you deserve if your holiday was ruined at the Taurito Princess.

To speak to one of our friendly team, complete our online form or call us today on 0161 813 2131