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May 2009

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05/18/09

The Fear is Gone, Cancun Cleared for International Travel

Filed under: Cancun Casa Blog, Cancun Tourism, Is Cancun Safe, Cancun Swine Flu/AH1N1
Posted by: Dangers @ 7:30 pm

Somebody sound the all clear, the fear is gone, with a few sweeps of the pen, foreign communities across the globe are issuing the all clear for Cancun and the rest of Mexico regarding international travel. Today, Canada, still sleepy from a long weekend joined the U.S., the UK, Switzerland, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador and a host of other nations in the removal of the non essential travel warnings and advisories posted regarding Mexico. In an amazing turnabout in the swine flu craze, despite the obvious widespread world outbreak of “novel H1N1″, and the World Health Organization never recommending a non essential international travel warning, the nation states of planet Earth maddeningly issued said warnings and advisories that are now being widely rescinded. We would like to think there was some method behind the madness, other than the typical bureaucratic wag the dog mentality but we’re very hard pressed to do so.

As it is, we’ve some updating to do on Cancun and the rest of Mexican Caribbean and now seems as good a time as any to crank up the week that was and the week ahead. So please read on, follow the bouncing bullets, and we’ll try and get us all up to speed on the week ahead and the week that was. We’ll lead off with the major news updates for both travelers and locals alike;

(Courtesy of WWW.Cancun.Travel)

Canada’s Public Health Ministry announces removal of non essential travel warning to Mexico: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2009/h1n1-mexico-090518-eng.php
United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office announces removal of non essential travel warning: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/
Carnival Cruise Lines announces resumption of Mexico ports of call: http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/Travel_Advisory.aspx?icid=CC_HMPG_21
Royal Caribbean announces resumption of Mexico ports of call: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do
UK’s Thomson Travel, First Choice and Thomas Cook agencies announce resumption of flights to Mexico.
Mexico’s Health Ministry Reports there are now 24 confirmed cases of “novel H1N1 in Quintana Roo. http://www.sipse.com/nota.php?id=37114
U.S. Center for Disease Control Representative estimates upwards of 100,000 non reported cases of swine flu in U.S. currently. http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/cdc-/627186.html
W.H.O. announces swine flu is now widespread throughout the world and that we are witnessing (not to mention partaking) a likely pandemic level flu outbreak. The good news, thus far, is that for the most part the current mutation of the swine flu is similar in health concerns to what is commonly called the annual flu.
Currently all or parts of over 30 major hotels in Cancun and the rest of Quintana Roo are closed due to lack of business as a result of the swine flu scare.
Marina operators in Puerto Juarez indicate that business is off by as much as 90%.
A previously suspected homicide involving a 53 y/o female of foreign origin (Argentina) who died of drowning near Playa Delphines, is now being handled as a suicide. The woman was an Argentine Ex-Pat who had moved to a friend’s home, to seek employment in the Cancun area, in September of 2008. She had recently lost her job (in Cancun) as an assistant accountant and is reported to have been despondent, reportedly, in the past she had stated she would end her life by walking into the sea. Tragically, this appears to be what has happened, however, the Cancun police are still investigating and are in communication with family members, and the friend she was living with.
Conflicting reports continue as to whether all Cancun bars, restaurants and event areas are operating under 100% occupancy rules. Previously, establishments were required to limit occupancy to between 40 and 50% due to swine flu precautions, and it had been believed that these rules had been vacated but a report from the Quintana Roo Health office appears to indicate an intent for the 50% requirement.
All major tourist venues are open and operational including Maya sites, Eco Parks, Sports Events, Marinas, Public Transportation, Malls, Retail areas and the majority of Cancun downtown and hotel zone Hotels.
Many Cancun Hotels are offering a swine flu free travel program, simply stated, if you come to Cancun, catch the swine flu, must be confirmed, you’ll receive 3 years of free hotel stays at the resort you stayed at. If you don’t get the swine flu, you have a great time and pay the bill at checkout.
Hotel Occupancy in Cancun is 29% as of May 17, 2009 and on the increase since non essential travel warnings have been rescinded internationally.
The Cancun Beach Replenishment and Restoration is tentatively slated for a mid June start-up. Public opposition is anticipated under the guise of environmental reasons from the citizens of Cozumel. Much of the sand to be used for the restoration is slated to be removed from marine sand banks well off the coast of Cozumel that local citizens fear will be damaged permanently, threatening the islands safety during tropical storms and endangering local marine habitat.
Cancun’s “Atlante Iron Colts” along with the local Cancunense are enjoying the major league soccer team’s championship of the CONCACAF after defeating Cruz Azul. As a result of the victory, Atlante will play in the FIFA World Cup at the U.A.E. in December.
The Cancun Airport and Marinas providing transportation to the Islas continue to check, mechanically, for people that have swine flu symptoms via fever testing devices.
La Parilla Restaurant in the downtown is celebrating the annual “mole” culinary fair featuring the cuisine of various regions of Mexico, the event continues through May 31st. (and, no, it’s not that kind of mole)
The Flamingo Plaza continues its classic car exhibition in the hotel zone.
Xcaret Eco-Park will celebrate World Environment Day, June 5, 2009.
Xcaret Eco Park will also be host to the sacred Maya journey from Xcaret to Cozumel and back via canoe on May 21-23. Events, re-enactments and various festivities are being held on both Isla Cozumel, Xcaret and Playa Del Carmen.
Puerto Morelos will host its XX International Fishing Tourney May 29 through June 1st.
The 4th annual marathon international swim from Cancun to Isla Mujeres will take place on May 30,2009.
The controversial proposed development of the Pok Ta Pok Golf Course into luxury condominiums will never get off the ground as per representatives of Fonatur, the public agency that oversees tourism development among other venues.
Reports indicate that Cozumel will lose 73 of the previously scheduled 94 Cruise ships slated to make their port of call in Cozumel between May and June.

If we missed something you think is important, please feel free to pass it along and we’ll add it to the blog for this past week and the week ahead. The mood in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean appears to be on the positive side, especially with the non essential travel warnings lifted from the U.S., UK, Canada and the official announcements of the Cruise Ship operators that Cozumel and Majahual’s ports will once again be scheduled for stops.

The horizon has been defeated by the pirates of the new age….

Dangers…

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