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Weekly UpdatesMay 3, 2009
Governments around the world rushed to reduce the impact of a possible flu pandemic on Monday, as a virus that has killed 103 people in Mexico and spread to the United States and Canada also reached Europe. While the swine flu virus has so far killed no one outside Mexico, the fact that it has proved able to spread quickly between humans has raised fears that the world may be facing the flu pandemic that scientists say is long overdue. Shares and oil prices fell in Asia and Europe, as investors feared a further shock to an already fragile global economy, if trade flows are curbed and manufacturing is hit. The US government has declared a public health emergency and an official said it will also urge Americans to avoid all "non-essential" travel to Mexico, which relies heavily on tourism. Spain became the first country in Europe to confirm a case of swine flu when a man who returned from a trip to Mexico last week was found to have the virus. But his condition, like that of 20 cases identified in the United States and six in Canada, was not serious. A New Zealand teacher and around a dozen students who recently returned from Mexico were also being treated as likely mild swine flu cases. Apr 27, 2009
Belize
The Belize Tourism Board said that the government has implemented several measures in an effort to protect all residents and travelers from swine flu. While the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) have not been advised of any confirmed swine flu cases in Belize, the BTB is working closely with local health authorities to monitor any new developments. Due to Belizean officialsO understanding of the severity of this situation, and as a result of the proactive measures health authorities in Belize have taken and continue to take since the first signs of swine flu in Mexico, four cases are currently under investigation by the Ministry of Health. Based on that information, the BTB is also taking a very proactive approach with ensuring that all hotel and tour operators within the country are fully educated and prepared for any questions from tourists regarding the situation, and are armed with advice for keeping their property or business as sterile as possible. www.travelbelize.org, www.health.gov.bz/moh, www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Apr 30, 2009
Caribbean Princess
Two Princess ships will sail to the Caribbean during summer 2010, more than doubling the lineOs capacity for the season. Passengers will have the option of five itinerary choices, as well as sailings from New York and Florida. Caribbean Princess returns to offer the nine-day itinerary from New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean, while Emerald Princess will sail on seven-day roundtrip cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Together, the two ships will offer 30 departures. 800-PRINCESS or www.princess.com Apr 30, 2009
Carnival Cruise
Industry giant Carnival is reviewing its decision to go ahead with cruise ship calls in Mexico this week in the wake of the U.S. government warning that Americans should defer all non-essential travel to the country due to a potentially deadly outbreak of swine flu. Apr 28, 2009
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises will mark its 11th season sailing in South American in December 2010. The season will include visits to 30 ports in 13 countries. Celebrity opened its winter 2010-11 Panama Canal and South America cruises and cruise-tours for sale on April 30. Celebrity Infinity will sail four 14-night Panama Canal cruises between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles. The Panama Canal cruises in the 2010-11 season also include two 14-night OSouth America and CanalO voyages, two 14-night canal cruises between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, and a 16-night repositioning cruise to Seattle on April 24. www.celebritycruises.com. May 1, 2009
Funjet Vacations
Funjet Vacations revised its rebooking and cancellation policies to reflect the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionOs recommendations related to the swine influenza situation in Mexico. Funjet Vacations policy has just been updated with extended windows through May 15. Funjet VacationsO primary goals are protecting customersO vacation investments and providing a positive vacation experience. The updated policies enable customers to rebook their Mexico vacation to another date or to one of hundreds of popular Funjet destinations, including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Florida, Las Vegas, California, ski vacations and Europe. Funjet also highly recommends purchasing the Complete Coverage travel protection program to give vacationers peace of mind. www.VAXVacationAccess.com. Apr 30, 2009
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
GOGO Worldwide Vacations reports that it started getting calls on Monday from agents who booked Mexico vacations to check out their options. On Tuesday, agents started calling to change destinations. OWe are doing our best to assist to re-accommodate to alternate destinations (instead of canceling) and we are not charging any GOGO penalties,O said Kelly Segnello, GOGO's marketing director. OWe are working on getting some specials out in the market to other destinations.O www.gogowwv.com. Apr 30, 2009
Jamaica
Several Jamaican properties are offering packages both on MotherOs Day, on May 10, and FatherOs Day, on June 21. JamaicaOs Sunset Resorts will hold its MotherOs Day Jam from May 10 to 17. The program is filled with activities, contests and events. The MotherOs Day Jam includes MomOs Movie Night on the Beach; Dining under the stars on MotherOs Day evening (weather permitting); MomOs Best Dressed Competition on MotherOs Day; and MomOs Night Out at Jimmy BuffetOs Margaritaville (free transportation and admission). Rates begin at USD126 per person, per night and include all meals, cocktails, wine by the glass, non-motorized water sports, daytime and nightly activities, taxes and tips. For more information, visit www.sunsetresortsjamaica.com, www.visitjamaica.com, www.jamaicavillas.com. Apr 30, 2009
Latour
Latour, an Isramworld company specializing in travel to Latin America, is offering an educational fam trip to Peru. The event, set for June 11 to 20, visits Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Lake Titicaca. The program includes first class hotels, sightseeing, meals and air from New York (USD1,589) or Miami (USD1,409). OLatour is dedicated to educating travel professionals about our products and there is no better way to do that than to bring them to the destination.O said Eitan Silberberg, vice president of Latour. OIn todayOs market, agents that have the edge are agents that have the most knowledge and experience. Their success is our success.O Space is limited. Call 800-825-0825 or e-mail eitan@latour.com. www.latour.com. Apr 30, 2009
Mexico
Mexico began a five day shut to try and stop the spread of swine flu. Restaurants, bars, cinemas and non-essential government services will close for five days. In Europe, EU health ministers, after an emergency meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, warned against panic. Swine flu has now been confirmed in 12 countries, including six in Europe: the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. There have been 168 deaths in Mexico and one of a 23-month-old child in Texas. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved its pandemic alert level up to five, the second highest but said it had no plans to go to level six. www.iata.org www.fco.gov.uk www.who.int http://ec.europa.eu May 1, 2009
Mexico
In the United States, airlines said demand for flights to Mexico had declined but that operations were normal. "We've seen a significant drop in demand for travel to Mexico, primarily to beach destinations," said Continental Airlines spokeswoman Julie King, who declined to provide an exact figure. Major airlines were waiving fees they usually charge to change tickets for travel to Mexico. Even without the impact of swine flu, airlines have been suffering from weak demand as businesses and consumers cut travel during the recession. World airlines will lose a total USD$4.7 billion this year, IATA said last month. May 1, 2009
Mexico
The Mexico-centred swine flu outbreak may not hit airline traffic as hard as did the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic but, compared with SARS, this episode comes as carriers are already under heavy financial pressure, warns ratings agency Standard & Poor's. S&P credit analyst Philip Baggaley says: "Although swine flu has not yet caused health problems on a similar scale [to SARS], we believe airlines are at risk of suffering reduced traffic because of government-imposed quarantines and travellers' fears." S&P says that it will monitor the impact of swine flu on US and other rated airlines. May 1, 2009
Mexico
Tourism officials from the Mexican destinations of San Miguel del Allende, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Patzcuaro and Celaya announced the official launch of Del Sol al Corazon, a brand promoting travel to all four destinations and showcase the diversity of the region. The idea for the brand came about last October, after these Mexican tourism executives meet with tourism officials in Montreal and learned that Canadian travelers are willing to go to any of the four destinations, but only for three or four days because they felt there wasnOt much more to do than enjoy the sun. Del Sol al Corazon targets travelers over the age of 30, including Baby Boomers, who are looking for culture, tradition and relaxation and tend to travel as couples or with their families. Currently, they are working with tour operators in the U.S. to package the region to American travelers. A website, www.delsolalcorazon.com, is still under construction, although visitors to the site can now find links to the four destinations. www.delsolalcorazon.com. Apr 30, 2009
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