Is it now safe to go to Cancun, considering the outbreak of swine flu? On my blog, this is now a more common question; folks want to know if and when it is safe to go to Cancun.
There are currently two camps out there, the locals who believe it is very safe (including Mexican officials), and some on the outside, who would advise caution.
So intead of venturing an opinion, here are the facts as they stand. Each tourist need to make up his or her own decision about this.
LA Times today reports on Cancun Travel Safety quoting Mexico’s Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova who has stated that 5 top beach areas — Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Zihuatanejo and Cozumel — have not registered any confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus.
“Tourist destinations are safe in Mexico,” Cordova said. “People can come back with complete peace of mind. It is being monitored very intensively.”
According to LA Times, In Quintana Roo state, home to Cancun, federal health officials have tallied 11 cases. At least one was in Cancun, according to state authorities. I believe the cases reported are from an earlier period compared with the statement about the safety of coming back. Will provide an update in the next blog post.
In the meantime the CDC advisory against non-essential travel to Mexico remains in effect.
Interestingly three hotels have offered free Cancun holidays for three years to any tourist that catches swine flu while there.
Mexico woos tourists after swine flu - He said Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Zihuatanejo and Los Cabos, popular tourists destinations on the Pacific coasts, have no swine flu cases. However, in Cancun and Acapulco, tourist destinations, seven and eight cases of swine flu …
Free holidays offered to tourists who catch swine flu in Mexico … - Officials have said that 25 hotels in and around Cancun have been forced to close due to the swine flu crisis. And the FCO is still advising against all but essential travel to Mexico. It emerged today that flight operators are …
Mexico Will Pay For Your Vacation If You Have Swine Flu - In an effort to drum up tourism, hotels in Cancún and Riviera Maya are offering complimentary vacation packages to people who can prove they have been afflicted by swine / pig / hybrid / H1N1 flu. Or whoever wins a wet t-shirt contest. …