(LEX 18) – The recent string of tourist deaths in the Dominican Republic has heightened fears about visiting that country.
Some people here in Kentucky tell LEX 18 that they’re changing their travel plans while others say they’ll take the risk.
Kentuckian Erica Cook says when she and a friend wanted to plan a girls trip this winter, booking a resort in the Dominican Republic was a no-brainer. But as their trip this June grew closer, they started to have second thoughts after hearing news of tourists being found dead in different resorts.
“We actually called and tried to change to go to another place, because we were kind of scared to come here. But they said because we didn’t get the travel insurance we couldn’t change it, and assured us we would be fine,” said Cook.
So Erica says on Saturday, she and her friend Kristie Preston hopped on a plane with positive attitudes, despite another death reported last week. She says, so far, the scenery is beautiful and at no point have they felt unsafe. They are, however, being extremely vigilant.
“Who we talk to, and you know about our surroundings, and we’ve not drank anything out of the mini bar,” said Cook.
So far, eight American tourists have died in the country this year.
