Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its ban on nonessential travel to Mexico on May 15th, I've been wondering how the H1N1 flu virus, aka swine flu, has affected tourism to Mexico and how the country is poised to recover from the hysteria.The World Health Organization estimated that 23,000 individuals in Mexico were infected with the virus during its peak in late April. During that time and in the past few weeks, travel bookings to Mexico fell some 80 percent. The Cancun Hotel Association reports a loss of some $2.4 million in tourism revenue. Cruise ships canceled 64 port calls that would have brought 134,000 tourists to Mexico. Some hotels temporarily closed down. The flu certainly had a devastating effect, in many ways still not completely quantified, on Mexico's bottom line as tourism is the country's third largest source of legal foreign income (some 0.3 percent of its GDP).
To bounce back, the Mexican Tourism Board has launched a $90 million recovery plan to boost tourism and many hotels throughout the country are offering deals; two-for-one offers, discounts of up to 70 percent, extras like yoga classes, additional nights, nature treks, and a slew of add-ons. President Calderón says he'll invite international celebrities, including Plácido Domingo and golfer Lorena Ochoa, to visit Mexico to elevate its image as a safe and healthy travel destination. Many hotels and resorts are redoubling their cleaning efforts, installing hand sanitizer dispensers, and offering travelers refunds in the unlikely case they would fall ill after their visit.
In the New York Times, Michelle Higgins details some of the deals now available in Mexico. High-end hotel consortium Mexico Boutique Hotels is also offering many deals at it member properties. Specials are available in Cancún, the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and just about everywhere in between.
Is it now time to rally around Mexico as we overcome what some have called an "epidemic of fear" to help save our neighbor from a tourism crisis? Or, do you feel that snatching up today's prevalent deals is somehow taking advantage of the situation?
Photo: Cabo San Lucas, by Janelle Nanos
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Certainly this 'epidemic of fear' has had a dramatic impact on Mexico's travel and tourism industry and all related business have had to drastically reduce their rates while attempting to maintain same service levels. This is challenging to say the least. If you add to that the fact that the global economic situation had already forced a worldwide travel 'sale epidemic' of its own, Mexico tourism—with this extra cloud of doom over its head—has been reduced to cutting rates on already substantial discounts dictated by International competition. Initially, and superficially I think, lower rates can entice some travelers to come back but it's a fine line (and a dangerous one) when tourism products (hotels, restaurants, tours, etc..) are forced to operate with little or no profit margins and STILL live up to expected standards. Travelers may come, but what will their experience be like and what will the impact be when they return home?
There are great travel deals right now. Amazing really, in some cases. But the industry won't be able to keep this up without letting something go eventually. In Mexico, as in the rest of the world, staff must be paid, training must be given, maintenance must be on-going, and a certain level of quality is to be expected. Let's hope that those that did visit us during the last few months are able to get the word out on the real situation and we can back to what we do best; authentic, warm, unparalleled hospitality at a fair price for both traveler and supplier.
Mexico is so worth it. I would go back in a minute if I could get some time off. I hope both the travel industry and normal life can recover quickly. I'll never forget my first trip to Mexico. I lost the entry card that must be turned when departing. I was kind of panicking, but a kind official at the airport actually put her hand on my shaking hand and said "You don't need to worry. These things happen." That touched me so much.
@David:
And stories like that abound David. I've lived and traveled in Mexico since 1994 and have had so many inspiring moments. We hope you come back soon as well...
I took a Cozumel Mexico trip in early May and the hospitality workers bent over backwards to please customers everywhere I went.
Now is the time to go, and you can avoid all the typical crowds.
This is the best time to go to México, especially the Caribbean. We reserved inmediatly after the emergency was over since we are Royal Holiday Members, and had the time of our lives in Park Royal Cancún!
Tragedies are sometimes good for personal finances. At least now we can get better deals
I´m from Mexico. This country is amazing. I invite you all to come :) specially to the Caribbean!!!!
Cheers from Cancun!
I work in Mexico travel and the down economy and the swine flu scare have certainly hurt, but things are coming back and yet you can still get great value for your dollar on your Mexico vacation.