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June 2009

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06/20/09

Cancun, All the News Fit to Blog

Filed under: Cancun Casa Blog, Cancun Tourism, Cancun Swine Flu/AH1N1, Missing: Julia Howard
Posted by: Dangers @ 7:20 pm

One of the great things about blogging Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean is that it’s rarely boring as for whatever reason, there always seems to be something on the horizon, something in the rear view window or something happening as we prepare to write. As such this week’s no different, Cancun, consistently on the rebound these days has taken Hurricanes, Swine Flu, Drug Wars and World Recession all in stride, while maintaining, and once again establishing itself, as a premier world class travel destination. In this blog we’ll try and bring you the news you may have missed, updates on news you may have read and perhaps, some news you’ll find of interest along the way, so sit back, relax a little, open a cold cerveza and listen to some music while catching up on Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean.

Beach Restoration Project: The Cancun Hotel Association is getting nervous, especially in light of continued public reports from SEMARNAT (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) representatives that have stated to the effect, first that no contractor was willing to bid the Beach Restoration Project (they were and have), secondly that the beach restoration project could be delayed due to the quickly approaching hurricane season (that one is still a ball in the air), and lastly the project’s environmental permits are still pending (approvals expected by July 15,2009). The Cancun Hotel Association wants all information regarding public statements regarding beach restoration to come via the Ministry of Tourism to obvious allay further concerns and to control potential adverse publicity should the project actually be delayed. On the other hand the Cancun Hotel Association amongst other tourist zone entrepreneurs is highly political and public in waging a campaign against increased property taxes in the hotel zone to help pay for the project. Increased taxes desperately needed by the local governing body to finance the Cancun area share of the beach restoration.
Beach Restoration Related: A SEMARNAT representative has also publicly stated that all geotubes and man made breakwaters should be removed from the Cancun shoreline prior to project start up.
Swine Flu (A-H1N1) Update: As of June 20, 2009, there is 84 confirmed cases of swine flu that have occurred in Quintana Roo, Cancun’s home state, most of them mild with no fatalities. Currently there is a very strong monitoring of developing cases in Yucatan, particularly in the city of Merida, Quintana Roo’s northern neighboring State.
Missing Scottish Tourist: Reports continue to indicate that a Scottish Tourist visiting Cancun staying at the Moon Palace is missing from the resort after leaving family members while retrieving a hat from her room this past Monday. The woman, a grandmother from Edinburgh, Scotland, age 77, named Julia Howard , was visiting Cancun with her family and had been to the resort previously in the past. The family is obviously very concerned and Cancun police are investigating along with Moon Palace Security personnel. http://video.stv.tv/?bcpid=1610699553&bctid=27124761001 / http://www.poresto.net/quintana-roo/41418-anciana-perdida-toda-una-semana
Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Course Under Siege: The Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed Golf Course at Pok-Ta-Pok just off the lagoon side of the hotel zone at kilometer 7.5 is apparently under siege by developers, considered to be local insiders, for future development into high rise condominiums. The local citizens of the area are not impressed and are seeking a halt to any attempt for future development that would reconsider the land use for anything other than a golf course, it’s original intended use. The speculation has raged from a political insiders deal to downright accusations by the locals living near the area ever since the sale of the property by the infamous Michael Kelly to local investors for $5.4 million dollars. The citizens neighboring the property have organized protests, claimed the new owners have threatened to halt maintenance of the property including mosquito control and are in violation a decades old agreement with FONATUR, the government agency involved with tourist development, to maintain the property as a golf course.
Courtesy of Por Esto
Speaking of Michael Kelly: Former legendary Cancun Hotel Developer, business owner, fledgling automaker Michael Kelly remains imprisoned in a Federal Penitentiary in Chicago, Illinois on charges of a massive real estate investment scam that may have bilked unsuspecting investors, many elderly, retired Americans, out of upwards of $500 Million Dollars. Kelly is awaiting trial, charged with 14 counts of fraud by the U.S. Government with monetary restitution mandatory for repayment to creditors making claims. Kelly has pleaded not guilty while his attorneys, various, have attempted to negotiate a plea agreement satisfactory to the courts. Kelly was and is involved with the Avalon Resorts, failed automaker Avanti, numerous local Cancun businesses including the City Nightclub and recently sold the rights to the Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Club to local investors.
Hotel Occupancy: As of June 18, 2009, hotel occupancy continues to rise, hovering now at 63.6% as Cancun recovers from the swine flu scare and benefits from the national tourist season along with widespread advertising both nationally and internationally. In addition many Hotels and Airlines have reduced rates significantly and tourists are taking advantage of widespread specials on hotels and airfare.
Lydia Cacho Speech on Freedom of Expression and Human Rights: From one of my favorite writers and journalists, a must read version of her recent speech at her blog page http://www.lydiacacho.net/10-06-2009/freedom-of-expression-a-right-for-all/. Lydia Cacho has been at the forefront of freedoms and human rights in Mexico for years, risking her own life in the pursuit of it and is one of Cancun’s most important international citizens due to her body of work and activism, I highly recommend those folks looking for the larger picture and beyond just the facade of Mexico Tourism to read her speech as it applies both Nationally in Mexico and Internationally around the world.
Maya Island Air, taking off, Ex Pat Alert: A new Belize to Cancun RT flight is in the offing from the folks at Maya Air based in Belize, Mexico’s southern Caribbean neighbor. Maya Air is reported to be Belize’s oldest commercial airline and will be starting flights daily on July 8, 2009 based on reports. http://www.reporter.bz/article/General/3559/

Upcoming Events:
Top Model Competition from June 19th through the 26th at Real Resorts…more information at http://www.topmodelinternational.com/2009/activities/index.asp
Chacah Garden Anniversary at Xel Ha: July 11th, 2009
http://cancun.travel/events/?event=248

And, thanks to our friends at Cancun.Travel, we bring you this video and testimonial of a recent visitor to Cancun…Art, we’ll make you famous.

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