Cancun Today

Mexico’s Tourism Sector Sees Tremendous Growth Despite a Lagging World Economy

MEXICO CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The number of international tourists reaching Mexico by air experienced a 35.2 percent increase in June 2010 compared with the same month last year marking an impressive first half of the year for the Mexico tourism industry.

During the same period, 818,278 tourists from different nationalities visited Mexico, versus 605,435 who visited in June 2009. Of those, some 573,016 travelers arrived by air from the United States, representing a 23.7 percent growth over June 2009. Even more impressive are the 41,184 tourists that arrived from Canada; 21,322 more than in June 2009 – a whopping increase of 107.4 percent.

“We feel these numbers are evidence of the strength and quality of Mexico’s destinations,” said Mexico Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara. “Despite all that’s going on in the world today, the traveler knows he or she can come to Mexico and find unique vacation experiences offering not only our famous sun and beach destinations, but the chance for archeological, culinary and artistic experiences as well. Mexico is the only place on the earth where you can experience all that in a single trip.”

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If you have a Mexican cell phone (Telcel, Movistar) that you activated before April 2009, it will probably stop working on April 10th unless you register it with the new national registry of mobile phone users (RENAUT). Since April 2009 new phones (actually the sim cards in them) have been registered at the time they were activated, so they’re OK. Older phones have had a one-year grace period to get registered, that year expires on 10 April 2010. It’s important to register older numbers before then if you want to continue using them.

Read the instructions at Registering a Mexican cellphone with RENAUT – San Felipe Life.

A BRITISH couple struggling to afford their dream wedding have made porn films in order to finance the venture.

Lisa Brand, 34, and Tommy Barnes, 36, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, have already earned more than $2000 from three X-rated movies.

They plan to make four more to raise cash for a beach ceremony in Cancun, Mexico, next June.

The pair, who have four children, have played a photographer and lingerie model who strip for sex, and also appeared in a threesome and spanking scene.

via Porn to pay for dream wedding Weird News – The Mercury – The Voice of Tasmania.

From “Travel” Magazine

Officials hope to convince tourists that travel there is now safe

TULUM, Mexico – The last time Bud Olson visited Mexico, he ended up in a hospital with kidney stones and missed the ancient Mayan ruins in the seaside town of Tulum. So when he heard that swine flu was sweeping through Mexico just weeks before he was to return this year, the 43-year-old Seattle resident and his friends threw all caution to the warm Caribbean breezes and went anyway.

His reward? No lines, great service, empty beaches –- and lower prices.

“There was no one at our resort,” said Olson’s friend, Penny Moeller, 44. “The service was spectacular. But it’s a shame for the economy.”

Some of the promotions being advertised:

Flu-free guarantee: Several hotel chains in Cancun are offering a free vacation a year for three consecutive years if guests come down with swine flu within 14 days of their departure and can produce the blood tests to prove it.

Free insurance: Mexico City is offering tourists free health insurance.

Package deals: Expedia Inc. says average price of vacation packages to Cancun in which a flight and hotel are booked together has dropped 26 percent compared to last summer.

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St Cloud Times by Lisa Schwarz

The rules for fishing trips to Canada, beachcombing in Cancun and cruising the Caribbean change on Monday. Starting June 1, U.S. citizens returning from any foreign nation will need passports or other secure ID — passport cards, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (which aren’t available in Minnesota) or “trusted traveler” cards — to cross back into the United States. The exceptions are few: travelers younger than 16, some cruises and some group travel.

Dallas News by Tom Parsons, BestFares.com

Travelers who want to go south of the border will find some great deals. The government has lifted its advisory against nonessential travel to Mexico, and it’s a good time for bargain hunters to visit.

We checked other Mexico air-hotel package prices, based on double occupancy, for travel in mid-July. Sample prices include $411 per person for travel to Puerto Vallarta with stays at the Fiesta Americana and $419 per person for travel to Cancún with stays at the Hilton Cancún Golf & Spa Resort. The above rates included all taxes and fees. Rates are typically cheapest for Monday through Thursday flights in both directions.

Armonia, Calle Quetzal number 4, in the hotel zone. Gabriela Ortiz opened this yoga center in October of 2004. Classes are offered mornings and evenings in exceptionally peaceful surroundings. The yoga salon looks out on Laguna Nichupté, and is situated directly behind the shops of Plaza Quetzal on Boulevard Kukulcan. Yoga classes for kids aged 5 to 9 are held on Wednesday afternoons. Armonia has an excellent supply of mats and support materials on hand. Telephone: 883 22 40.

Photograph by Anita Brown