Mexico, Your Home Away from Home!

Despite 2009 has represented a year full of contrasts, our Mexican resorts reporting the best weather in years but at the same time the least quantity of tourists, we all have been going against the current, however, IVI Destination Management (with several DMC operations in Mexico) has managed to keep tourism active through creating several campaigns in Mexico together with our clients.

Lately most of these efforts remained almost useless, touristy activity, especially in Mexico dropped down significantly, partly due to the fact that all of us were taken by surprise with the influenza outbreak and partly due to the bad coverage about a disease that is curable.

A positive effect from the shocking press about the new influenza is that we now can be sure that every single person in the planet knows the word Mexico and perhaps is able to locate it in the world atlas.

Even though Mexico’s authorities may have been slow to identify the threat of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus, we have to give them some credit: because once they did, they immediately informed International Health Organizations, began working closely with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and acted efficiently to prevent the epidemic from a rapid spread implementing strict hygiene controls and operational business restrictions. Reacting that way, with responsibility and respect to the world community, the authorities created an intricate situation and almost stopped every economic and social activity – a considerably hard decision for an entire country. 

Today the WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, official statements say: “Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community. Scientific research based on mathematical modeling shows that restricting travel would be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease. Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, validate this”.

In addition, the U.S. Department of State lifted the influenza alert against nonessential travel to Mexico. As a result of the CDC's decision, the State Department considered the 2009-H1N1 influenza outbreak to be no longer in effect.

In conclusion, many other countries such as Canada, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, Italy, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom and Switzerland have followed the US example.

Tourism has become an important common industry between North American countries with almost only positive effects and with just a little bit of curiosity and careful reading and understanding on how news are spread out, the negative effects can be beaten.
Despite the obvious cultural and language barriers, the neighborhood between the North American Countries, Canada, USA and Mexico has motivated an unlimited supply of interesting for traveling and visiting the unique destinations each country has to offer.

The United States are the number one destination for Mexican travelers representing more than a quarter of the total foreign arrivals to the country. On the other hand Mexico is the second source of international travelers to the United States right after Canada. The United States citizens visit first the neighbor to the North and then go further down looking for the warm destinations south of the border.

The big diversity of its amazing landscapes, the close distance and foremost the warmth of its people are the main reasons for it. Mexico is a country full of natural wonders and combines great tourism infrastructure with many regions full of remarkable uniqueness that give a special touch to the wide variety of destinations suitable to every taste and vacations needs.

The North, known for its extreme weather conditions, is characterized by its vast deserts, incredible nature reserves and rugged mountain ranges. Some of the regions’ mayor cities are key industrial and business centers.

The Pacific Region offers outstanding golf courses, cities and towns with rich cultural and culinary traditions, some of the best beaches for water sports including surfing and fishing, its incredible weather and not to forget some of the most amazing sunsets of the country and the possibility to witness the migration of the Gray and the Humpback Whale. Well known destinations such as Acapulco, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are part of our pacific jewels.

The Central States in Mexico represent the enduring soul of the colonial time, where folklore and traditions of Mexico are still alive and give an unforgettable experience for everyone visiting; Mexico City and its picturesque surrounding towns and colonial cities up to Guadalajara, many of whom were declared World Heritage sites, constitute this interesting zone full of life and color.

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are the main resorts of the Mexican Caribbean Region. Visitors are not only attracted by the turquoise-blue clear waters of the Caribbean and its white sandy beach-resorts. Great eco-parks and the world’s second largest coral reef, a true paradise for snorkeling and scuba-diving are worth mentionable. The region is also a gateway to the ancient Mayan World. Amazing archaeological zones and fresh water pools in submerged caverns, known as ‘cenotes’ form a touristy region that combines fun, sun and culture.

There is no doubt that the H1N1 has hit our country very hard; specially the tourism sector, an essential part of our economy. During these economic hectic times we all live in, tourism is a significant piece of what can be ‘the less stressful part’ of the much needed economy reactivation, let’s help us each other while having less worrying activities.

A famous phrase says: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Today, Mexico is ready to welcome you again. The country and its people are known for coming out of worrying situations and this will be no exception. Certainly, with all the hygienic controls and measures taken countrywide, the country is offering a much healthier environment to its visitors. In addition to the impulses given by our Government, there is an excellent support from private investors. Each destination is implementing improvements to finally offer better airport facilities, convention and meeting centers, new and refurbishing hotels, new golf courses and shopping centers.

And last but not least, Mexico is preparing one of the biggest cleaning campaigns within the entire country for May 31st. The event, initiated by the Azteca Foundation and Semarnat, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, is meant to be a signal for creating a healthier environment and invites private households as well as companies of all sizes and sorts to participate.

We, at IVI Destination Management will definitely be part of the movement doing a clean-up in each of our 8 Mexican offices and will further implement the strategies in our international destinations too.

While we are sweeping the dust, please have a look at our website at www.dmcquest.com to learn more about the destination and IVI services, in addition, let me give you a brief recap about our unique core added values that make us stand out from our DMC competition in Latin America:
   
1. Serving you with the finest Human Resources in Town
2. Operating with annual certified standards of quality by ISO 9001:2000
3. Shielding our mutual clients with 2 and 5 USMD Liability Insurance
4. Performing with an In-House Safety & Security Agency
5. Initiators of the Friends of the Maya Foundation
6. Recognized as the largest DMC network in the Americas (20 locations) and as a plus we are connected with World-Class partners such as PRA Destination Management (18 locations) and Allied Europe (6 locations)

We look forward to say BIENVENIDO to you at any of our Mexican resorts and cities. Remember, mi casa es tu casa (Mexico, your home away from home).

Your IVI CommuniQuest Team