This is official information folks, not conjecture, speculation, third/fourth/or fifth hand so I thought it deserved it's own thread!
Pilot Fish, here are your answers, even the reefs are addressed since the reports others of us posted didn't seem to satisfy you:
Just to give credit where credit is due, I pulled this from CozumelMyCozumel as posted by Trish, the owner of Mesa 17 (my favorite restaurant on the isla
Trish writes:
"This is what is was distributed today to reporters and editors in the US, according to some of my media friends. I know Raul Marrufo and he is a sharp guy, and I think he and tourism leaders on the island are doing their best to get the message out."
COZUMEL, MEXICO, REPORTS RAPID RECOVERY
COZUMEL, Mexico (Nov. 8, 2005) - Cozumel tourism officials report rapid
progress in the post-hurricane Wilma clean up and restoration effort on
the island.
According to Raul Marrufo, director of the Cozumel Tourism Promotion
Board, "Now that the essential services have been restored to most of the
island, we have shifted our focus to prepare the island for winter
visitors. We are enthusiastic about our progress and look forward to a
busy tourist season starting in December."
General information:
- Electricity and water has been restored to 90 percent of the island
- The Cozumel Airport officially reopened on October 29, 2005. Mexicana
Airlines is currently operating daily flights to Cozumel out of Mexico
City. American Airlines will resume its Dallas-to-Cozumel flights on
December 16, 2005, operating three flights a week, and Continental has
resumed its Houston-to-Cozumel flights, operating three flights a week.
- The first cruise ship is scheduled to arrive on November 14, 2005.
- Several dive shops are open and operating
- Officials from the Cozumel National Marine Park are optimistic and
report that many reefs along Cozumel are largely undamaged. Shallow
reefs, up to 35 feet deep, were most impacted, while reefs found at greater
depths are reported to be in good condition.
- Caverns, including Chankanaab Cavern, F1 Cavern and Aerolito Cavern
did not sustain damage and are open.
- More than 30 island excursions have been available since October 31, 2005
- 95 percent of shops and restaurants will be open beginning November 14, 2005
- The Cozumel Country Club will reopen the golf course, offering 9 holes, on December 1, 2005
- The Atlantis Submarine attraction will reopen on December 15, 2005
- Fiesta Holidays is open for snorkeling tours and car rentals
According to Aurelio Joaquin, director of the Foundation of Parks and
Museums of Cozumel, "Though the island's parks have sustained some
damage, we are thankful that the ruins at San Gervasio were not harmed. We
have already begun efforts to restore the parks and will have them
ready for visitors to enjoy by the winter travel season."
- The Museum of the Island of Cozumel is now open and fully
operational.
- Punta Sur ecological park is currently open for jeep tours.
- Reconstruction has started on Chankanaab National Park, with the
tentative opening date scheduled for December 20, 2005
- The Mayan ruins at San Gervasio were not damaged and the
archaeological site will reopen on November 14, 2005.
According to Gabriela Verduzco, manager of the Cozumel Hotels
Association, "Several hotels have already returned to business as usual and many
others will reopen prior to the busy fall season." The following is a
list of scheduled reopening dates for various Cozumel hotels and
resorts. Some properties are still in the assessment stage and have not yet
reported reopening dates.
Hotel -- Scheduled Opening Date
Casa del mar -- December 15, 2005
Casa Mexicana -- Open
Coral Princess -- February 1, 2006
Cozumel Palace -- Pending
Cozumel Resort -- Open
Days Inn -- Open
El Cozumeleño -- Pending
El Cid la Ceiba -- November 15, 2005
Fiesta Americana -- February 1, 2006
Flamingo -- Open
Hacienda San Miguel -- Pending
Iberostar -- Pending
Melia Cozumel -- December 23, 2005
Occidental Allegro -- January 31, 2006
Occidental Grand -- January 31, 2006
Park Royal -- July 2006
Playa Azul -- December 15, 2005
Presidente InterContinental -- May 2006
Reef Club -- Pending
Scuba Club Cozumel -- November 15, 2005
Sol Cabañas del Caribe -- Pending
Suites Bahia -- December 15, 2005
Suites Colonial -- December 15, 2005
Villablanca -- November 15, 2005
Vista del Mar -- Open
For ongoing destination updates, travelers should visit
www.islacozumel.com.mx.
Pilot Fish, here are your answers, even the reefs are addressed since the reports others of us posted didn't seem to satisfy you:
Just to give credit where credit is due, I pulled this from CozumelMyCozumel as posted by Trish, the owner of Mesa 17 (my favorite restaurant on the isla
Trish writes:
"This is what is was distributed today to reporters and editors in the US, according to some of my media friends. I know Raul Marrufo and he is a sharp guy, and I think he and tourism leaders on the island are doing their best to get the message out."
COZUMEL, MEXICO, REPORTS RAPID RECOVERY
COZUMEL, Mexico (Nov. 8, 2005) - Cozumel tourism officials report rapid
progress in the post-hurricane Wilma clean up and restoration effort on
the island.
According to Raul Marrufo, director of the Cozumel Tourism Promotion
Board, "Now that the essential services have been restored to most of the
island, we have shifted our focus to prepare the island for winter
visitors. We are enthusiastic about our progress and look forward to a
busy tourist season starting in December."
General information:
- Electricity and water has been restored to 90 percent of the island
- The Cozumel Airport officially reopened on October 29, 2005. Mexicana
Airlines is currently operating daily flights to Cozumel out of Mexico
City. American Airlines will resume its Dallas-to-Cozumel flights on
December 16, 2005, operating three flights a week, and Continental has
resumed its Houston-to-Cozumel flights, operating three flights a week.
- The first cruise ship is scheduled to arrive on November 14, 2005.
- Several dive shops are open and operating
- Officials from the Cozumel National Marine Park are optimistic and
report that many reefs along Cozumel are largely undamaged. Shallow
reefs, up to 35 feet deep, were most impacted, while reefs found at greater
depths are reported to be in good condition.
- Caverns, including Chankanaab Cavern, F1 Cavern and Aerolito Cavern
did not sustain damage and are open.
- More than 30 island excursions have been available since October 31, 2005
- 95 percent of shops and restaurants will be open beginning November 14, 2005
- The Cozumel Country Club will reopen the golf course, offering 9 holes, on December 1, 2005
- The Atlantis Submarine attraction will reopen on December 15, 2005
- Fiesta Holidays is open for snorkeling tours and car rentals
According to Aurelio Joaquin, director of the Foundation of Parks and
Museums of Cozumel, "Though the island's parks have sustained some
damage, we are thankful that the ruins at San Gervasio were not harmed. We
have already begun efforts to restore the parks and will have them
ready for visitors to enjoy by the winter travel season."
- The Museum of the Island of Cozumel is now open and fully
operational.
- Punta Sur ecological park is currently open for jeep tours.
- Reconstruction has started on Chankanaab National Park, with the
tentative opening date scheduled for December 20, 2005
- The Mayan ruins at San Gervasio were not damaged and the
archaeological site will reopen on November 14, 2005.
According to Gabriela Verduzco, manager of the Cozumel Hotels
Association, "Several hotels have already returned to business as usual and many
others will reopen prior to the busy fall season." The following is a
list of scheduled reopening dates for various Cozumel hotels and
resorts. Some properties are still in the assessment stage and have not yet
reported reopening dates.
Hotel -- Scheduled Opening Date
Casa del mar -- December 15, 2005
Casa Mexicana -- Open
Coral Princess -- February 1, 2006
Cozumel Palace -- Pending
Cozumel Resort -- Open
Days Inn -- Open
El Cozumeleño -- Pending
El Cid la Ceiba -- November 15, 2005
Fiesta Americana -- February 1, 2006
Flamingo -- Open
Hacienda San Miguel -- Pending
Iberostar -- Pending
Melia Cozumel -- December 23, 2005
Occidental Allegro -- January 31, 2006
Occidental Grand -- January 31, 2006
Park Royal -- July 2006
Playa Azul -- December 15, 2005
Presidente InterContinental -- May 2006
Reef Club -- Pending
Scuba Club Cozumel -- November 15, 2005
Sol Cabañas del Caribe -- Pending
Suites Bahia -- December 15, 2005
Suites Colonial -- December 15, 2005
Villablanca -- November 15, 2005
Vista del Mar -- Open
For ongoing destination updates, travelers should visit
www.islacozumel.com.mx.