Texas Diver
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Just thought I'd throw this into the mix!
Top Stories & Trends
Mexico Tourism Updates Post-Storm Conditions
Published on: October 26, 2005
Hotels in Mexico's main beach resorts of Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen are seeking a $500 million loan to begin reconstruction efforts after hurricane Wilma, according to Jesus Almaguer Salazar, president of the association of Quintana Roo state hotels. "We're seeking a $500 million loan from the development bank for those hotels that have no access to credit and to begin the recovery of the hotel industry," Almaguer said. The hotels association also is asking the federal government to help it persuade banks to grant the region's hotels a six-month grace period on outstanding loans, Almaguer said. In return, the region's hotels will commit to maintain all jobs and to use staff in the reconstruction when possible, he said. Cozumel tourism officials acknowledge the island has sustained substantial damage from Hurricane Wilma, although primary services are gradually being restored. According to Raul Maruffo, director of the Cozumel Tourism Pr omotion Board: "There were no tourists injured as a result of the storm and our goal now is to facilitate both air and ferry transportation so that the remaining travelers can return home safely." Ferry service between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen began operating Monday morning and has been running continuously and free of charge since that time. Approximately 1,000 tourists currently remain on Cozumel. Tourists have been relocated to downtown hotels, which have sustained less damage from the storm and are well supplied to accommodate guests. Telephone service is operating. Hotel properties housing travelers are assisting guests with calls home to family and friends. Cozumel coastal hotels and resorts have suffered extensive damage and most are closed for damage assessment. More specific information will be provided as it becomes available. Electricity remains out on the island. Fuel is available for generators currently operating. Additional generators are being brought to the islan d to help restore basic electricity and sewage, and are expected to arrive Wednesday. Although Mexican President Vicente Fox said Monday that 80 percent of the Cancun area's hotels should be running within two months, tourism secretary Rodolfo Elizondo guessed that 30 percent of Cancun's hotels would be operating by the end of December. Full recovery could take until Easter, according to Ana Patricia Morales, vice president of the Cancun Hotels Association. On Monday, Fox and Governor Felix Gonzalez Canto toured shelters and hotel infrastructure on the Riviera Maya. All tourist shelters, according to the Riviera Maya Tourist Board, are being kept replenished with ample supplies. The Riviera Maya Tourism Board has joined efforts with the Hotel Association, the State Secretary of Tourism and the local government to evaluate the status of the hotels after the hurricane. Fourteen groups are inspecting each and every hotel along the Riviera Maya in order to evaluate the material damages i n the hotels and gather information regarding which hotels are operating. In addition, these groups are determining if any guests are staying at the hotels and the status of any shelters to make sure new supplies are being replenished. Electricity at most of Playa del Carmen's hotel has been reconnected and many of them are open for business. The Riviera Maya Tourism Board also strongly recommends that visitors with upcoming travel plans to the area contact both their hotels and airlines directly to confirm the status of their reservations. However, the tourism board has not yet announced whether the area's jazz festival, scheduled for Nov. 17 to 19, will still take place. Further, the tourism board assures anyone who has contacted them directly regarding family and friends stranded in the area that they will answer each and every query directly and as soon as possible. They also encourage family and friends as well as soon-to-be visitors with questions or concerns to contact their U .S. call center at 877-7-GO-MAYA. For more information, visit www.rivieramaya.com/eng or www.cancun.info or www.islacozumel.com.mx.
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Top Stories & Trends
Mexico Tourism Updates Post-Storm Conditions
Published on: October 26, 2005
Hotels in Mexico's main beach resorts of Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen are seeking a $500 million loan to begin reconstruction efforts after hurricane Wilma, according to Jesus Almaguer Salazar, president of the association of Quintana Roo state hotels. "We're seeking a $500 million loan from the development bank for those hotels that have no access to credit and to begin the recovery of the hotel industry," Almaguer said. The hotels association also is asking the federal government to help it persuade banks to grant the region's hotels a six-month grace period on outstanding loans, Almaguer said. In return, the region's hotels will commit to maintain all jobs and to use staff in the reconstruction when possible, he said. Cozumel tourism officials acknowledge the island has sustained substantial damage from Hurricane Wilma, although primary services are gradually being restored. According to Raul Maruffo, director of the Cozumel Tourism Pr omotion Board: "There were no tourists injured as a result of the storm and our goal now is to facilitate both air and ferry transportation so that the remaining travelers can return home safely." Ferry service between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen began operating Monday morning and has been running continuously and free of charge since that time. Approximately 1,000 tourists currently remain on Cozumel. Tourists have been relocated to downtown hotels, which have sustained less damage from the storm and are well supplied to accommodate guests. Telephone service is operating. Hotel properties housing travelers are assisting guests with calls home to family and friends. Cozumel coastal hotels and resorts have suffered extensive damage and most are closed for damage assessment. More specific information will be provided as it becomes available. Electricity remains out on the island. Fuel is available for generators currently operating. Additional generators are being brought to the islan d to help restore basic electricity and sewage, and are expected to arrive Wednesday. Although Mexican President Vicente Fox said Monday that 80 percent of the Cancun area's hotels should be running within two months, tourism secretary Rodolfo Elizondo guessed that 30 percent of Cancun's hotels would be operating by the end of December. Full recovery could take until Easter, according to Ana Patricia Morales, vice president of the Cancun Hotels Association. On Monday, Fox and Governor Felix Gonzalez Canto toured shelters and hotel infrastructure on the Riviera Maya. All tourist shelters, according to the Riviera Maya Tourist Board, are being kept replenished with ample supplies. The Riviera Maya Tourism Board has joined efforts with the Hotel Association, the State Secretary of Tourism and the local government to evaluate the status of the hotels after the hurricane. Fourteen groups are inspecting each and every hotel along the Riviera Maya in order to evaluate the material damages i n the hotels and gather information regarding which hotels are operating. In addition, these groups are determining if any guests are staying at the hotels and the status of any shelters to make sure new supplies are being replenished. Electricity at most of Playa del Carmen's hotel has been reconnected and many of them are open for business. The Riviera Maya Tourism Board also strongly recommends that visitors with upcoming travel plans to the area contact both their hotels and airlines directly to confirm the status of their reservations. However, the tourism board has not yet announced whether the area's jazz festival, scheduled for Nov. 17 to 19, will still take place. Further, the tourism board assures anyone who has contacted them directly regarding family and friends stranded in the area that they will answer each and every query directly and as soon as possible. They also encourage family and friends as well as soon-to-be visitors with questions or concerns to contact their U .S. call center at 877-7-GO-MAYA. For more information, visit www.rivieramaya.com/eng or www.cancun.info or www.islacozumel.com.mx.
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