‘Mexico’ brand nixed

Resorts and destinations are making a point these days of neglecting to mention that they are in Mexico. Pablo Azcárraga, a top executive with Posadas (Fiesta Americana, etc.), largest chain in the country, says that in light of the country’s image problems, it is better to simply say that a hotel is in Los Cabos or Cancun. Sara Latife, tourism director for Quintana Roo (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, etc.) is asking Congress to distribute tourism promotion money directly to the states rather than through the Mexico Tourism Board. The board has invested large sums in developing Mexico as a brand and a logo, but now nobody appears to want it.

Asked about this, Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara said that the Tourism Board’s promotion resulted in 19 percent more visitors arriving by air this year compared to 2009. Also, she noted that the brand and logo have won prizes for their design.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Medical tourism

Nearly 50,000 foreigners have checked into Mexican hospitals this year, a 25 percent increase over 2009, according to a spokesperson for Digital Health Care. The spokesperson added that medical care in Mexico costs about 50 percent less than it does in the United States, although many physicians and surgeons have trained in the USA. And while Mexico may cost less, the average expenditure by these foreign patients was $31,000.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Finally, a brat

On the eighth day he shall find what he seeks. I don’t know who said it, but it has taken me eight days in Leipzig, Dresden and Leipzig again to finally eat my first bratwurst. I found a pushcart in Leipzig’s main shopping district and ordered a brat with horseradish mustard. Heaven!

I have been fed overcooked pork and beef, excellent fish and a variety of potatoes, but it wasn’t until today I had my first brat and first pretzel. I can’t say I had my first beer because that would be a big lie. The Germans can do a lot of things well and one of those things is brewing beer (bier).

One more day here in Leipzig, formerly a part of the German Democratic Republic. The city just celebrated the 21st anniversary of reunification.

Wednesday, I am off to Bavaria where I know I will have the opportunity to eat at least a brat a day and drink been from major-sized steins.

Wreckage

Two months have passed since bankrupt Mexicana Airlines stopped flying. Collateral damage appears to have been extensive. At the Mexico City airport, 70 shops, stores and restaurants have closed, 1,500 ground personnel, 300 sky kitchen employees and 147 private security workers along with pilots, flight attendants and such are out of work. Hard hit, too, has been the meetings and convention business throughout the country.

Investors who bought the airline from the government earlier in the decade lost everything. Creditors, including unionized former employees, are demanding compensation while leasing companies want their jets back. Although there had been talk about getting Mexicana flying again by December, that probably will happen only if some other company buys its name.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Green Angels turn 50

The motorist assistance patrol popularly known as the Green Angels recently celebrated its Golden Anniversary. Small trucks staffed by two mechanics and furnished with tools patrol most highways in Mexico, ready to help with flat tires, broken fan belts, empty gas tanks and more. Service is free, although tips are appreciated and there is a charge if fuel is provided.

When created, Mexican highways could be desolate, with service stations often far apart from one another. Times have changed, but the Angels remain one of the most popular services offered by the government. They are operated by the Tourism Ministry, and absorb most the largest chunk of the Ministry’s budget.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Aeroméxico Premier

The airline that now claims to be Mexico’s only intercontinental carrier has signed an agreement with Canada’s Group Aeroplan, which will now operate Aeroméxico’s Club Premier loyalty program. Club Premier has some 2.5 million members. One advantage for passengers, according to early announcements, is that mileage points now will count for purchasing any seats available, rather than only a limited few. Whether this will require more miles in account was not mentioned.

As for Mexicana, many are promising that it will be flying again by December. Meanwhile, the fight goes on not only for the slots left vacant but also for more check-in space. Interjet reports that passengers sometimes must wait 90 minutes for a boarding pass simply because the airline cannot get space for more counters.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

$20 billion in new investment promised

Pablo Azcárraga, president of the National Hospitality Industry Council, promised that $20 billion will be invested in various tourism-related projects during the next five years. Azcárraga also is president of Posadas de México (Fiesta Americana, etc.), the country’s largest hotel group.

To start things off, Azcárraga announced that the Questro Group will be investing $220 million to build three hotels in Los Cabos while AM Resorts has plans to invest $320 million in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Huatulco.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting from Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers