Poor Buffet Hygiene Can Ruin Your Holiday

With Easter and the peak season for charter travel just around the corner, a new survey warns about the risks of poor buffet habits.

According to a YouGov poll conducted for Gjensidige, 15 percent of Danes fail to take basic hygiene measures such as washing hands or using hand sanitizer before taking food from the buffet.

“Even though it is only a minority who skip hygiene, the consequences can be significant,” says Lene Ovesen, Director of Travel Claims at Gjensidige. “Bacteria spread quickly in a buffet environment, and in the worst case, the result may be that both you and other guests have to spend several days of your holiday in the hotel room bathroom.”

A previous study also shows that nearly four in ten Danes have had holiday days ruined due to a stomach virus. According to Gjensidige, good hygiene and prompt contact with travel insurance can be crucial if something goes wrong.