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So you planned a Florida vacation, but now there's red tide? Check out this advice.

For starters, under Florida law, establishments are not required to issue refunds for prepaid reservations, the Better Business Bureau advised.
PHOTO: Sarasota County Government

CLEARWATER, Fla.—Red tide continues to plague areas of Florida’s west coast, and the toxic algae bloom has people wondering what to do with their Florida vacation plans.

Click here for complete red tide coverage from 10New

Cathy Turille works the front desk at the Beach View Hotel in Clearwater and said she is constantly fielding calls.

“I get calls from people all the time asking if Clearwater is being impacted red tide. I check the forecasts daily and tell them, its south of us and they haven’t nothing to worry about.”

With dead fish lining the shores in Manatee and Sarasota counties, hotels there have no problems giving refunds. Hotels in Pinellas County are little more reluctant if the call for a refund violates the terms and conditions of the hotels' cancellation policy.

“I had a guest who called yesterday saying he was coming in tomorrow. I did tell him that there may be a cancellation fee. I can’t guarantee that there won’t,” Turille said.

People who can’t get their money back are calling the Better Business Bureau to complain.

BBB Director of Public Relations, Bryan Oglesby said they’re also fielding calls from people who say businesses are not disclosing potential red tide issues.

Under Florida law, establishments are not required to issue refunds for prepaid reservations, the BBB advised.

Oglesby said communication with the businesses is the key. People should talk to the business’ management to help get issues solved.

Most businesses want to keep people as customers and will work with them to find a solution.

While Turille tells customers Clearwater Beach is red tide free, she said she’s willing to work with them.

“It’s an act of nature that we can’t control. We’d rather give them their money back. It’s going to hurt tourism otherwise. We want our guest to be comfortable and happy so they’ll want to come back another time,” she said.

You can keep track of those movement forecasts by clicking here.

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