Now three more all-inclusive resort brands are offering a flu free gauarantee. Karisma, Palace and Real resorts in the Riviera Maya area offer a 3 year vacation replacement if a guest contracts H1N1 while staying at the property. None of these have had any cases traced back to a stay at one of their properties.
Rates are also awesome to entice travelers to come back...as low as $89 pp/pn at Real in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. .
Friday, May 15, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Here are exerpts from I letter I just receiveved from AM Resorts regarding the situation in Mexico.
...
There has been an overwhelming amount of negative media coverage reported these past few weeks and we are sad to say that the majority of reporting is considered to be a lot of hype and misinformation.
It is very important to understand and focus on the facts under these circumstances and our goal is to help you do just that.
The Facts:
According to Mexico’s Health Minister, José Angel Córdova, of the 159 deaths reported during the flu outbreak in the country, only 16 were confirmed to be associated with the swine flu.
Only 10% of the number originally stated by the media
Population of Mexico City: 26.7 million people
Relative percentage of people infected in Mexico City: 5 ten millionths of one percent
The United States reports 38,000 deaths per year to the regular flu
According to Quintana Roo State Secretary of Tourism, no fatal cases of influenza have been reported in the main tourism destinations:
Cancún, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Huatulco
The BBC has reported the influenza is in decline, according to Mexican Health Minister, Jose Cordova.
CNN reports, the health alert drop in Mexico City is a sign that Mexico City is successfully overcoming the influenza and the preventative actions taken are producing positive results, states Mexico City Mayor, Marcelo Ebrad.
The World Health Organization is NOT recommending travel restrictions. Scientific research indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease, according to the WHO.
CNN’s travel expert, Peter Greenberg states the H1N1 reporting has been blown out of proportion and has created an unnecessary ‘abundance of fear’.
Watch the interview here.
Listen to what guests currently in Mexico are saying:
“If you watch the national media, you are misinformed.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsCL-WAdLSo
“If you're thinking about coming to Mexico, the rates are down, the airfare is cheap, so get down here before the rest of the country finds out.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sAw9ud5ZDs
Even with the negative reports, Mexico tourism remains active and all restaurants, cafes, libraries, museums, churches and archaeological sites are open.
While some airlines have reduced scheduled flights to Mexico, we would like to point out that tour operators such as Apple Vacations have maintained and will continue to maintain charter flights to Mexico. Their current $99 flight special in combination with our Spring Escape promotion - 55% savings, resort credits and kids stay free - is just something your clients can’t pass up. It’s actually the best time to travel.
Am Resorts operates Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets and Dreams Resorts & Spas. This is a public relations effort I applaud! Of course, they have a vested interest in promoting tourism in Mexico, but it is so nice to see some facts to put the numbers in perspective.
...
There has been an overwhelming amount of negative media coverage reported these past few weeks and we are sad to say that the majority of reporting is considered to be a lot of hype and misinformation.
It is very important to understand and focus on the facts under these circumstances and our goal is to help you do just that.
The Facts:
According to Mexico’s Health Minister, José Angel Córdova, of the 159 deaths reported during the flu outbreak in the country, only 16 were confirmed to be associated with the swine flu.
Only 10% of the number originally stated by the media
Population of Mexico City: 26.7 million people
Relative percentage of people infected in Mexico City: 5 ten millionths of one percent
The United States reports 38,000 deaths per year to the regular flu
According to Quintana Roo State Secretary of Tourism, no fatal cases of influenza have been reported in the main tourism destinations:
Cancún, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Huatulco
The BBC has reported the influenza is in decline, according to Mexican Health Minister, Jose Cordova.
CNN reports, the health alert drop in Mexico City is a sign that Mexico City is successfully overcoming the influenza and the preventative actions taken are producing positive results, states Mexico City Mayor, Marcelo Ebrad.
The World Health Organization is NOT recommending travel restrictions. Scientific research indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease, according to the WHO.
CNN’s travel expert, Peter Greenberg states the H1N1 reporting has been blown out of proportion and has created an unnecessary ‘abundance of fear’.
Watch the interview here.
Listen to what guests currently in Mexico are saying:
“If you watch the national media, you are misinformed.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsCL-WAdLSo
“If you're thinking about coming to Mexico, the rates are down, the airfare is cheap, so get down here before the rest of the country finds out.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sAw9ud5ZDs
Even with the negative reports, Mexico tourism remains active and all restaurants, cafes, libraries, museums, churches and archaeological sites are open.
While some airlines have reduced scheduled flights to Mexico, we would like to point out that tour operators such as Apple Vacations have maintained and will continue to maintain charter flights to Mexico. Their current $99 flight special in combination with our Spring Escape promotion - 55% savings, resort credits and kids stay free - is just something your clients can’t pass up. It’s actually the best time to travel.
Am Resorts operates Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets and Dreams Resorts & Spas. This is a public relations effort I applaud! Of course, they have a vested interest in promoting tourism in Mexico, but it is so nice to see some facts to put the numbers in perspective.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
H1N1 part 2
I had a nightmare about swine flu yesterday that made me realize just how anxious I am about all the hysteria and panic. In my dream, I was on a plane that the government had decided should crash because there was a possibility that passengers were infected. Everyone onboard gathered around the cockpit begging the pilot not to do it, but he said he had no choice. The government told him he had to crash and he already had a spot picked out. People continued to talk to him and the 'government' on speakerphone and just when they were softening up...I coughed. Of course the mob turned on me and were about to throw me out of the plane when I woke up with my heart racing and sweating like I was doing yardwork.
On the Tripadvisor message boards someone posted pictures and wrote about how odd it is to see Cancun so quiet right now. That still makes me sad that many people will potentially lose their jobs over this and an already shaky economy will get worse for even more people, in Mexico and the United States.
They also noted that people aren't walking around with masks on and freaking out like we are here. Those just returning from trips are raving about what a great time they had with resorts at only 30% capacity. The service was over the top, pools and beaches are not crowded etc. If I could go right now, I would definitely be there.
Those that have chosen to change their plans seem to choose Aruba or Punta Cana as alternates. Cruises are also a favorite summertime vacation, but with the numerous 'kids stay free' promotions all-inclusives are pricing very competitively this summer for families.
They also noted that people aren't walking around with masks on and freaking out like we are here. Those just returning from trips are raving about what a great time they had with resorts at only 30% capacity. The service was over the top, pools and beaches are not crowded etc. If I could go right now, I would definitely be there.
Those that have chosen to change their plans seem to choose Aruba or Punta Cana as alternates. Cruises are also a favorite summertime vacation, but with the numerous 'kids stay free' promotions all-inclusives are pricing very competitively this summer for families.
Thankfully the wave of panic is subsiding a little, but once you've opened the gate it's hard to get all the cows back in. Now the pork industry is out in full force setting things straight. The President and media are more commonly referring to the swine flu as H1N1 to allay the public's fears about pigs. They are finally saying the masks are silly and ineffective if you are not sick.
I am over the cold I had last week thank goodness, so I hope there will be no more witch hunt dreams. My son however, has had a chronic runny nose and cough for months so we do get a few nervous glances at the playground. We've been playing in the backyard a little more than usual. I don't want one of the panic victims to freak out and throw him in the duck pond. (On a side note, he is having his adenoids removed at the end of the month, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. It is a very minor surgery, but it's still scary to us!)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Swine Flu Fever
I have resisted posting about the swine flu all week to see how things would unfold. Now we have our first confirmed case in the area, so it's a great time to address it. Warning: This post is heavy on my opinion so please go to the links provided for up-to-date information.
I have counted my blessings that this does not affect any of my current clients' itineraries, so I have not received one call about it! Thank goodness, because I happened to be sick and could barely talk. No matter what I said I am sure it would not have sounded very convincing since Cancun was my last trip. Never mind that was almost three months ago...CNN seems to think if you have ever thought about Mexico, been in a school or public place you are possibly infected. Can you tell I am a bit irritated?
The media coverage has just been unreal surrounding this! I have always looked at the media with a critical eye by training (my former career before travel was public relations) and lately they have just made my blood boil. The facts of this virus are buried beneath alarming headlines and dire warnings. Irresponsible reporting has been the real epidemic in my opinion and it has reached epic proportions the last year. Today I read in the AJC that Cancun was the epicenter of the outbreak. Really? Thought that was Mexico City. Do they realize that there are more cases in the U.S. than Mexico now? Are we now advising travelers to avoid New York? I monitor news updates from reliable sources who are not seeking ratings to get the most accurate information and still make sure to add a little common sense to that. I have yet to see the CDC advocate face masks as an everyday precaution. (But boy, those mask manufacturers must be doing a happy dance right now) The precautions they do suggest are things we should do anyway! Namely, wash your hands frequently. Use sanitizer, stay away from other people if you are sick. These simple little things will go much further in preventing infection than panic. You would be amazed at the number of people who know they are sick, yet go on about their day because they don't want to ruin their vacation or miss out on their cruise. People with some kind of bug are always around, not just when there's a catchy name for the virus of the moment.
Now that cruise lines are altering itineraries I am getting nervous, but not about the flu. Not everyone has decided Mexico is purgatory and some do look forward to specific ports of call on their cruises. I also feel for the local communities that depend so heavily on tourism. The faltering economy, drug violence at the border (another example of sloppy reporting) and natural disaster have already done a number on tourism. Real people depend on jobs that depend on tourists. We don't travel, they don't eat. I hope this will blow over soon once the next big thing in news comes along.
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
I have counted my blessings that this does not affect any of my current clients' itineraries, so I have not received one call about it! Thank goodness, because I happened to be sick and could barely talk. No matter what I said I am sure it would not have sounded very convincing since Cancun was my last trip. Never mind that was almost three months ago...CNN seems to think if you have ever thought about Mexico, been in a school or public place you are possibly infected. Can you tell I am a bit irritated?
The media coverage has just been unreal surrounding this! I have always looked at the media with a critical eye by training (my former career before travel was public relations) and lately they have just made my blood boil. The facts of this virus are buried beneath alarming headlines and dire warnings. Irresponsible reporting has been the real epidemic in my opinion and it has reached epic proportions the last year. Today I read in the AJC that Cancun was the epicenter of the outbreak. Really? Thought that was Mexico City. Do they realize that there are more cases in the U.S. than Mexico now? Are we now advising travelers to avoid New York? I monitor news updates from reliable sources who are not seeking ratings to get the most accurate information and still make sure to add a little common sense to that. I have yet to see the CDC advocate face masks as an everyday precaution. (But boy, those mask manufacturers must be doing a happy dance right now) The precautions they do suggest are things we should do anyway! Namely, wash your hands frequently. Use sanitizer, stay away from other people if you are sick. These simple little things will go much further in preventing infection than panic. You would be amazed at the number of people who know they are sick, yet go on about their day because they don't want to ruin their vacation or miss out on their cruise. People with some kind of bug are always around, not just when there's a catchy name for the virus of the moment.
Now that cruise lines are altering itineraries I am getting nervous, but not about the flu. Not everyone has decided Mexico is purgatory and some do look forward to specific ports of call on their cruises. I also feel for the local communities that depend so heavily on tourism. The faltering economy, drug violence at the border (another example of sloppy reporting) and natural disaster have already done a number on tourism. Real people depend on jobs that depend on tourists. We don't travel, they don't eat. I hope this will blow over soon once the next big thing in news comes along.
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
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