Two families from Saskatchewan recently shed light on a troubling experience at the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun resort in Mexico. Following severe gastrointestinal illnesses, they faced financial and medical hardships exacerbated by resort staff pressuring them to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in exchange for assistance, according to a report from the CBC.
Jesslyn Schigol’s husband (pictured) endured unrelenting vomiting, while Allison Field’s young son was hospitalized due to dehydration. Both families reported observing poor food handling practices, which they believe caused the illnesses. The financial burden was significant: Field had to pay for her child’s care upfront despite having insurance (she would eventually file a claim to be reimbursed at a later date).
The resort offered minimal compensation — between $500 to $1,000 — and only if the families signed NDAs.
As a result, these Canadian families were left feeling unsupported and, worse, coerced into staying quiet in order to get help. It’s a situation that’s raising broader concerns about the use of NDAs in the tourism industry.
Not the first time resorts have used coercion and unfair practices
The use of NDAs to silence dissatisfied guests is not an isolated issue. Across the globe, travellers have reported similar instances, such as being forced to sign NDAs to conceal negative experiences or misconduct.
Other troubling practices include:
- High-pressure sales tactics: Vacationers are often lured into timeshare presentations disguised as free events or special offers. Once there, aggressive tactics push them toward financial commitments that may not be in their best interests.
- Involvement in illegal activities: Some travellers have unknowingly participated in illegal acts, such as smuggling, due to deceitful offers or coercion.
- Tourist scams: In popular European destinations, scams involving “free” items like bracelets often escalate into demands for payment or theft.
- Unsafe activities: Tourists are sometimes pressured to engage in hazardous activities, such as venturing off designated paths, which can lead to accidents or legal trouble.
Statistics on vacation mishaps
Travellers are increasingly encountering health and safety risks. According to various industry reports:
- Health issues: Up to 87% of travellers became ill during or after international travel, with gastrointestinal symptoms the most frequent symptom.
- Scams: Tourist-targeted scams are prevalent, with reports of financial losses exceeding thousands of dollars annually. In the UK, scams resulted in annual losses of £11.4 billion (CDN$20 billion), with only 18% of victims managing to recover their losses. In a Global State of Scams Report 2024, analysts calculated that scammers siphoned more than USD$1.03 trillion globally in just the last year.
- Coercive tactics: Experts warn about the rising use of NDAs in the hospitality sector, often used to protect corporate reputations but at the expense of guest trust.
Read More: Get free travel insurance using a travel insurance credit card
Strategies to minimize risks while on vacation
Travellers can take proactive steps to safeguard their health, finances and overall safety while abroad:
Thorough research: Investigate resort reviews and prioritize establishments with strong health and safety practices. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.
Comprehensive travel insurance: Ensure policies cover emergencies, including upfront payments for medical care.
Read More: Find the best travel insurance for your next trip
Food safety: Avoid high-risk foods, such as improperly stored buffet items or raw produce, to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Know your rights: Refuse to sign NDAs or other documents under pressure. Seek external medical care if resort assistance is inadequate.
Emergency preparation: Maintain emergency funds and a list of local consulate contacts for urgent situations.
Read More: Learn how to create an emergency fund
Empowering travellers to stay safe
Awareness and preparation are key to avoiding unpleasant surprises while travelling. By educating themselves about potential risks and asserting their rights, vacationers can not only protect their own interests but also advocate for better practices within the tourism industry.
Travel should be a source of joy and relaxation, not a cause of distress — something these two Saskatchewan families missed out given their last experience.
Disclosure: Some of the content was created or enhanced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. While we strive to ensure accuracy and quality, all content is reviewed and approved by our editorial team before publication. For specific advice or decisions, always consult a financial professional or trusted expert.
Sources
1. CBC: Resort staff pressured ill guests to sign NDAs during Cancun vacation, say Sask. families, by Jeremy Warren (Jan 14, 2025)
2. Bored Panda: “People Who Are No Longer Bound By NDAs, What Are Some Secrets That You Can Expose?”, by Jonas Grinevičius and Dominyka (Oct 22, 2024)
3. Better Business Bureau: BBB Investigation: Vacation schemes unethical and deceptive (Apr. 26, 2023)
4. International Business Times: 28-Year-0ld Brit regrets free Mexico holiday from strangers after ‘unknowingly smuggling cocaine’ for them, by Vinay Patel (Nov. 29, 2024)
5. The U.S Sun: The jewellery trick scamming tourists out of cash across European holiday spots, by Emma Crabtree (Jun. 30, 2024)
6. The Cool Down: Yellowstone visitors spark anger after ignoring warning signs on boardwalk trail: ‘It’s a disaster waiting to happen’, by Justin Housman (Nov. 7, 2024)
7. BMC: Travelers’ health problems and behavior: prospective study with post-travel follow-up, by Katri Vilkman, Sari H. Pakkanen, Tinja Lääveri, Heli Siikamäki & Anu Kantele (Jul. 13, 2016)
8. Global Anti-Scam Alliance: Scammers steal £11.4 billion from Britons in 1 year as 71% fail to report scams – State of scams in the United Kingdom 2024, by Sam Rogers (Nov. 25, 2024)
8. Global Anti-Scam Alliance: International Scammers Steal Over $1 Trillion in 12 Months in Global State of Scams Report 2024, by Sam Rogers (Nov. 7, 2024)
This article Sickened and silenced: Saskatchewan families forced to sign NDAs — or pay out of pocket — after falling ill at Cancun resort originally appeared on Money.ca
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