The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) yesterday said that while 44 percent of the nation’s international tourism hotels had inadequate safety standards at their swimming pools, all had made improvements after visits from inspectors.
Accompanied by officials from the Tourism Bureau and local government health officials, the commission carried out inspections at 18 hotels in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan cites, and Nantou, Pingtung and Taitung counties.
The officials inspected the hotel swimming pools for adequate safety signs, emergency equipment, the number of lifeguards at the pools, their qualifications, insurance, pool management and the sanitary condition of the water.
Eight of the 18 five-star hotels inspected did not meet pool safety regulations, the commission said.
The Grand Hyatt in Taipei, the Lalu and the Wen Wan Resort near Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County did not meet regulations regarding the number of lifeguards at the pool and their qualifications.
However, the commission said that the hotels promptly made improvements after officials issued warnings to the establishments.
Six hotels lacked certain emergency equipment, such as ropes and breathing equipment. Those were the Hotel Holiday Garden and the Lees Hotel in Kaohsiung, the Evergreen Hotel in Taichung, the Splendor Taichung, the Wen Wan Resort and the Hotel Royal Chihpen in Taitung.
All of the hotels passed the water-quality test.
The commission said about 50 international tourism hotels had swimming pools. It said it had asked the Tourism Bureau, the Sports Affairs Council and the Department of Health to step up efforts to counsel businesses on maintaining safe and clean pool environments.
The commission also reminded the public that even when staying at a five-star hotel, it was important to take necessary precautions at the swimming pool and to check for the presence of lifeguards.
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