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water safe to drink from the faucet or is there safe drinking water provided? Where is the nearest medical facility and decompression chamber? Does the room come with a re- frigerator, coffee maker, or microwave? Is a hair dryer and clothes iron available? What is the check-in and check-out process at the location and are early or late options available, so your group isn’t left out in the sun? For quick excursions from the resort, are there any mar- kets or restaurants within walking distance and, if not, is there local transportation or car rental that can be accessed? Do most of the people there speak your language, or will you need an interpreter? For any special occasions (such as a birthday or an an- niversary) in your group, will the destination make arrange- ments for a celebration? Will there be arrival and departure celebrations for your group? Can room upgrades be re- quested for your group, provided there is availability? For Photo/Video Dive Trips: Underwater photogra-
phers are very concerned about camera maintenance and having a safe environment where they can work on their systems. Mike Veitch, of Underwater Tribe dive center in Bali, Indonesia, said he only books destinations that have a dedicated camera room in a secure location. He said other questions he asks about a dive operation are if they have rinse tanks available that are large enough for big cameras and what the ratios of dive guides to guests and if private guides can be hired. Veitch also checks to make sure the dive operator doesn’t have short dive time limits that would inhibit photographers. The availability of Enriched Air (Nitrox) is also an important factor for added
bottom time when it comes to selecting a resort. And one final question for the trip leader to ask: “Are there perks offered (this can range from a room upgrade to a free spot on the trip) and what milestones need to be reached to earn them?”
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PAGE TWENTY-THREE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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