06/20/09
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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Leave a Reply
June 21st, 2009 at 7:45 pm I like the addition of the background music on the blog Dangers even though sometimes I have to turn the TV off to read the newspaper. I can’t help it if I can’t walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. Keep on doing what you are doing by keeping folks informed. Okie
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm Thanks Okie for the continued visits and support, the music and me just seems to roll together, in this case JJ Grey and Mofro doing their new Gulf of Mexico/ Florida hit “Orange Blossoms”. I’m glad most folks are enjoying the music and the diversity of some of the artists, and I always like to give good music and the artists, old or new another listen. ;-)
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 am Hi - i am the grand-daughter of missing Julia Howard. I wondered if you could help me with getting the profile of my Grandmothers disappearance raised? It has now been a week since she vanished from the Moon Palace Resort and my family are feeling that the help they have recieved from the police and the hotel is simply not good enough. Thanks.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 pm Hola Gill(?)~ my thoughts and prayers to you and your family for finding your grandmother safe and sound. I’ve e-mailed you privately also, Godspeed.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:59 pm I will email resources giving the links to your story. My Dad is 85 years old and he writes, he has written his biography(he’s still alive so writing goes on),researches political views,keeps abreast of world news through internet usually and he has an opinion. My point is, He is in very sound mind, he could probably sprint, if he wouldn’t have a heart attack trying. Too many things have happened in that area, not to be suspicious of foul play. A 77 year old usually has more sense than to wander in the jungle. There should be some traces of your Grandmother if there had been an animal attack. Her hat, shoe, clothing blood, something. All due respect intended. This is a link to the RED CROSS, which is a NATIONAL Organization. The UK can also communicate with them as well as the United States , Scotland, and any other country that is tied to the RED CROSS. I don’t think they have search services, but I know they have many links and resources that can assist in this tragedy.It is worth a shot. http://www.cruzrojamexicana.org.mx/pagnacional/f.jsp?id_formulario=18;greg.abbott@oag.state.tx.us;I am emailing state depts. in U.S. so they may contact the proper people and get something going. Best regards