Beach recovery projects at the forefront of Cancun's recovery

The New Year heralds a new beginning for Mexico’s number one tourist destination, and Funjet Vacations is happy to report that as of January 16th, 2006, Cancun’s beach renewal and restoration project has been at full swing.

While many of the beaches are open and accessible to all, there has been a loss of sand in some areas; so, the beach recovery project is dedicated to restoring these areas through a process that will dredge sand from approximately 600-feet out to sea and deposit it onto the areas of shoreline where erosion occurred.

“We are excited to see the beach restoration underway, but most importantly, we are thrilled to see Cancun returning to its old self – sparkling, vibrant and energized,” said Artemio Santos Santos, executive director of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “We will soon move from restoration and renovation work back to ongoing projects of expansion and enhancement that will make Cancun more alluring than ever.”

To the relief of all who know and love Cancun, this project is just one more step Cancun, Mexico has taken to restore their home back to its legendary beauty, and to ensure that each and every visitor has an unforgettable vacation filled with long and relaxing beach walks.

Playa Delfines

(Photos taken Wednesday, January 25, 2006, courtesy of Cancun’s Conventions and Visitors Bureau)

Photo Update of Cancun's Riu Caribe

The following pictures were taken at Riu Caribe on Sunday, January 22nd, 2006.

Photo Update of Cancun's Gran Caribe Real Resort & Spa

The following pictures were taken at Gran Caribe Real Resort & Spa on Friday, January 20th, 2006.

Lobby

Lobby Bar

Albatros Restaurant

Gaviotas Restaurant

Beach

Cozumel Update

This past week, Funjet Vacations was thrilled to host several representatives from Cozumel in our Milwaukee offices. Here is an update from their presentation:

“We’ve made incredible progress since last October,” said Raul Marrufo, Director of Cozumel Tourism Promotion Boards. “The celebratory atmosphere on the island has been reinvigorated with the return of tourists and the cruise ship passengers, and we are looking forward to a brisk new travel year.”

Updates from the island:

*Cruise ships returned to Cozumel on November 14th, 2005 and continue to arrive daily.

*All Cozumel roads are completely open

* The Cozumel Country Club is open and ready for golf enthusiasts!

* More than 60 of the 70 island excursions are currently available including horseback riding tours, jeep excursions through the Punta Sur ecological park , all-terrain vehicle tours, fishing, ect…

* 90 percent of Cozumel shops and restaurants have reopened at this time including Coconuts, Rastas, Carlos & Charlie's, and Mezcalitos on the eastern side of the island. Senior Frogs is set to reopen this weekend!

* The Mayan ruins at San Gervasio are in good condition and are open.

* The Museum of the Island of Cozumel is open.

* The beaches are great; in fact, some parts are even better than ever and have much more sand.

Updates for divers from the officials at Cozumel’s National Park:

*All certified dive operators and snorkeling tours have resumed operation, and Cozumel has been chosen to host the Mexico’s 2006 Underwater Dive Show (Check back to this blog for updates and pictures from this exciting event!)

*Visitors can expect to encounter excellent water clarity with optimum visibility.

*New diving opportunities are being discovered in the wake of the storm, and the shifting sand has actually revealed new sites for exploration (including newly-revealed caves at Palancar) and some new marine wildlife as well.

Cancun Travel Mart- The Cancun Travel Industry Summit

This week, representatives from Funjet Vacations traveled to Cancun to take part in the annual Cancun Travel Industry Summit. Originally slated for October, 2005, the summit was rescheduled due to Hurricane Wilma; however, we are thrilled to report that like most things in the destination, the summit has persevered.

Providing the latest specific updates on post-Wilma Mexico, the summit educates Tour Operators (like Funjet Vacations) with detailed presentations by Mexican federal, state of Quintanta Roo, and Cancun area senior 0fficials.

As a result, we anticipate many new updates for you in the upcoming weeks; and, we hope that you will keep checking back here for new pictures and information regarding all of the positive progress occurring throughout Cancun and Cozumel.

Mexico Blog mentioned in yesterday's Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Travel Watch, By Loretta Chao

“Funjet Vacations began a new blog this month with post-hurricane tourism updates from Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico at http://mexicoupdates.blogspot.com."

Photo update of Cancun's Riu Palace Las Americas

The following pictures were taken at Riu Palace Las Americas on Thursday, January 5th, 2006.

Golf update from Cancun's Convention and Visitors Bureau

Known throughout the world for its exciting activities, friendly people and non-stop nightlife, Cancun has always been a popular destination for travelers seeking fun in the sun; however, for the past ten years, it has steadily emerged as a hot spot for golf-enthusiasts as well.

As a result, Funjet Vacations is happy to report that post-Wilma, the majority of Cancun's golf courses have reopened and are ready for your business.

HERE in an update from Cancun's Convention and Visitor's Bureau regarding the operational status of the area's popular golf courses.

We hope you will keep checking back here for updates on Cancun, including photo updates about area golf courses from our Funjet Vacations representative located in the area.

Photo update of Cancun's Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa

The following pictures were taken at the beach in front of Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa on Thursday, January 5th, 2006.

Photo Update of Cancun's Crown Paradise Club

The following pictures were taken at Cancun's Crown Paradise Club on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006.



(Crown Paradise Club's view from the pool bar.)

(The movie theatre)

(The teen club)

(The infinity pool)

(The children's activities pool)

(The beautiful beach front location)

New videos of post-Wilma Cancun

Check out the official Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau's website for post-Wilma coverage of the beaches in Cancun and interviews with people who have recently vacationed in the area.