Pullmantour reports smooth sailing

Pullmantour, which last winter began operating cruises originating in Mexican ports, reports that it sold 87 percent of its available tickets during the season. Big attraction is that passengers do not need U.S. visas. The ships sail from Cozumel to other Caribbean islands or along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Primary language on board is Spanish. Pullmantour is a Spanish corporation with ships registered in Malta. The company is a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Quintana Roo on top

Quintana Roo, the only Mexican state with a Caribbean shoreline, this year attracted 4.78 million visitors, far more than did the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas or Jamaica. The figures include domestic as well as foreign arrivals, but outside of Mexico these are negligible.

Quintana Roo includes Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and more. Prior to 1972 it was an almost-forgotten federal territory inhabited primarily by Maya villagers. Cozumel was its only international travel destination. The development of Cancun changed things.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Yellowstone offers $49 rooms

Yellowstone National Park Lodges is offering a special rate of $49 for rooms with shared bathrooms in the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Jan. 4 through March 6 with the exception of Feb. 18-21. Rates are normally $87 per night for single or double occupancy.

Yellowstone’s winter season began Dec. 18, with the opening of Old Faithful Snow Lodge. The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel opens today, Dec. 21. The lodges provide the only wintertime accommodations within the park. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel will close for the season, March 7, and Old Faithful Snow Lodge will close March 6.

To qualify for the special rate rooms must be reserved before Jan. 14, using the promotional code “WOB49.” Reservations can be made by calling (307) 344-7311 or toll-free (866) 439-7375 or online at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com using the promo code box. This rate cannot be combined with other specials or packages.

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is located five miles inside the park’s northern entrance and is convenient for visitors who want to drive to the Lamar Valley to view wolves, bison, elk and other wildlife. The road from Gardiner, Mont. to Mammoth Village and on to Cooke City, Mont. is the only road plowed all winter. Just outside Mammoth Village are groomed cross country ski trails and access to the park’s interior via snowcoach and snowmobile.

Complete details about accommodations, restaurants and activities in Yellowstone can be made by calling (307) 344-7311 or toll-free 866-GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375), or visiting the Website at www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com.

Banner year forecast

Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara is predicting that 2011 will be the best year ever for Mexican tourism. She is talking about 26 million international visitors coming to Mexico and spending $12.6 billion. The minister outlined a seven-point program to reach these goals. These include consolidating the Mexico brand, emphasizing on-line marketing, strengthening competitive segments, converting the Tourism Board into the “ideal partner” for state tourism offices, improving lift. Tourism this year increased by 15 percent compared to 2009.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Aviation changes

Aeroméxico has announced that it will be investing about $1 billion to expand its fleet with 25 additional jets. Management credited new labor agreements for allowing this. The agreements, while relaxing some restrictions, will lead to the creation of many more jobs. Meanwhile, rapidly expanding Interjet has rented 34 check-in counters previously used by Mexicana. Financially troubled Mexicana still promises to start flying in January, but its services will be greatly reduced. Interjet, which began by flying out of Toluca — near Mexico City — has shifted two-thirds of its area operations to Mexico City, much to the distress of Toluca authorities and business people who had invested there. While the Toluca airport is more convenient for many travelers, it lacks the departure options and connecting flights found at Mexico City International.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Tequila and mariachis

Plaza Garibaldi, where swains in Mexico City seek out mariachi bands to serenade their sweethearts, now has a Tequila and Mezcal Museum, an agave garden (tequila and mezcal are made from agave) and more. This is the newest tourist attraction in the capital. Garibaldi had become a somewhat rough neighborhood. City authorities promise police patrols will keep it safe.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Cancun conference ends

The U.N. Conference on Climate Change has ended in Cancun, leaving the resort destination weary but richer. Delegates from nearly 200 countries attended, along with protestors, filling up almost all available rooms. Early estimates indicate Cancun took in some $85 million from the event.

More was accomplished than had been expected. Last year the conference venue was Copenhagen, where global warming is difficult to comprehend in December. This year, although the beaches beckoned, delegates worked until 4 a.m. the final night before agreeing on the Cancun Accord. The protestors outside complained that too much was left undone. Vegetarians, for example, were disheartened that the delegates did not condemn the eating of meat.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers