Mexican Tourism Fights Back

Tourism in Mexico was practically stopped in its tracks thanks to that ominous announcement of swine flu (H1N1) and the fact that it was believed to have started in Mexico.

Add to that the following reports of drug violence in some of the border towns the multi-million tourist industry was hit hard and anyone involved in the industry was left wondering what on earth was going to happen.

The question being is Mexico resilient enough to fight back?

Well, it sure is trying.

Once other countries started reporting their own cases of swine flu (the U.S. saw cases in each of its fifty states) and the initial hysteria began to fade then Mexico began to see a slow upswing.

Just as fast as Mexico's Ministry of Health responded to the swine flu epidemic Mexico's Tourism Board swung in to action and created a North American recovery campaign.

The recovery program aimed at bringing tourists back to Mexico was based on three core messages, "Welcome Back", "Believe It" and "Mexico - it's time to Go".

Basically the Mexico Tourist Board was putting across the message that Mexico and all that you love about it is still here. The message was specifically aimed at Canada and the U.S. as their accounts add up to 80% of Mexico's international visitors.

So how can a person get the most out of this multi-million dollar campaign?

The answer to that is great deals for everyone.

Mexico is still the same and offers all that it ever had and is still a magical place to visit.

Take a look around and you will find bargains galore be it from hotels or resorts.

There have been many lessons learned and July saw Cancun playing host to the Global Summit over Lessons Learned from influenza A (H1N1). At this summit the World Health Organization pronounced that closing borders is ineffective in preventing the propagation of a virus.

The good news for Mexico is the fact that after only 40 days of the travel warnings being lifted Cancun was a mere 10 points below the usual season numbers.

At the end of the day when traveling common sense is what should be followed and I believe that Colette Baruth, GOGO's v.p. of Mexico and Latin products sums it up best when she says, " As the world has become smaller and smaller everyday, events such as those recently seen have a more direct impact on each of us. Whether it is a hurricane, tsunami, health issue or anything else, it is important that we in the travel industry support destinations that need us."

Mexico is bouncing back and with all the great discounts and incentives being offered is even more irresistible.

Source: Recommend