Cancun, Quintana Roo MEXICO  - As the result on an unprecedented federal and local response to Hurricane Wilma, the Cancun Convention & Visitor Bureau reports that recovery efforts are advancing steadily, and that normal resort operation is resuming in the coming days and weeks.

Visitor Evacuations: of the estimated 35,000 tourists that were in Cancun and the surrounding resorts when Wilma struck on October 21-22, only approximately 2,600 still remain in the area. Nearly all of these guests will have safely returned home by Saturday, October 29. 
Cancun Airport Operations: The Cancun International Airport resumed operations on Tuesday, October 25. It will operate until October 30 under a recovery/evacuation status, with preferential operations for inbound supplies and passenger departures. On October 31, normal operations will resume, with carriers such as Mexicana Airlines, US Air 3000 (Apple Vacations) and others reestablishing normal service.
Cancun Hotel Zone: The majority of Cancun�s 140 hotels and resorts are recovering from varying degrees of wind and water damage. 

Of Cancun�s 27,500 lodging units, the Cancun CVB projects the following re-opening schedule:
 

As for beaches conditions, a detailed inventory is being prepared. At present, the area between the Riu Cancun toward the downtown/mainland (facing the Bahía de Mujeres) has actually had its beaches expanded (Presidente Inter-Continental, Oasis Viva, Ambiance Villas, Villas Tacul, Barcelo las Perlas, Blue Bay, Riu Caribe, etc) 

Mexican President Vicente Fox has announced federal recovery funds totally US$20 million for beach recovery and US$10 million for hotel zone infrastructure restorations. In order to assist small businesses (shops, restaurants, others) with recovery, NAFINSA (Mexico�s government loan corporation) is providing loans totaling US$340 million.

In an effort to streamline hotel recovery, the Inter-American Development Bank has announced US$500 million in reconstruction and recovery loans. This move will greatly facilitate needed repairs and upgrades. 

The Cancun Center convention facility will resume normal operations by November 8, 2005. 

Regarding Cancun area�s golf facilities, the Cancun CVB reports the following re-openings:
 

As of today 20 tourist quality restaurants are open and many others will open whit in next week.

Cancun City: clean-up efforts are underway to remove debris, open streets, reestablish telephone and electric service, and allow the city�s inhabitants to continue clean-up and recovery efforts. Dozens of business are open, including banks, stores, and hospitals, with additional openings each day. Police and security services have restored order and are assisting with citizen and visitor relief efforts.

Additional updates will be provided daily, with postings at www.cancun.info or www.cancun-cti.com, the official web site of the Cancun Tourism Institute travel agent training program.

Cancun Cranks up Beach Recovery Process, 

Just one week after Hurricane Wilma struck the eastern Yucatan, the city of Cancun is mobilized and determined to restore, recover and open for business. 

 �We have received unprecedented federal and local response and plan to continue making remarkable headway in the coming days and weeks,� stated Artemio Santos Santos, executive director of the Cancun Convention and Visitor�s Bureau (CVB).  We want the world to know that Cancun is open for business and that when visitors come back they will see an even better, stronger Cancun.�

Following is an update of the city�s progress to date:

• Cancun Beach Recovery Project:  On Tuesday the October 25, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) launched the initial research and analysis phase of Cancun�s Beach Recovery Project. Among the work undertaken by the team of UNAM geologists, engineers and oceanographers involved in the project are bathymetric and morphological studies, an assessment of sand bank conditions and determining the location of beach sand carried away by the storm. 

• Although some hotels lost precious beach, there were also those hotels (located between the Riu Cancun and downtown -- facing �Bahia Mujeres�) that not only did not lose beach, but actually gained beach. Among these hotels are: Presidente Inter-Continental, Oasis Viva, Ambiance Villas, Villas Tacul, Barcelo las Perlas, Blue Bay, Riu Caribe. Hotels: The majority of Cancun�s 140 hotels and resorts are recovering from varying degrees of wind and water damage.

• Le Meridien Cancun Resort and Spa:  According to a corporate report, the property sustained no serious structural damage and expects to start welcoming guests on November 15.  At that time, most guest rooms, the main restaurant, ballroom and meeting room will be available; there will be limited room- and pool-service.  For further information and reservations contact 1-800-543-4300 or visit www.lemeridien.com

• Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa resort:  The open areas were the most affected.  The hotel is still assessing damage and is not accepting future reservations at this time. For groups currently booked at the Hilton Cancun inquiring about the hotel, please call 1-866-973-8030.

• Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts:  The five hotels in the affected areas, Gran Meliá Cancún, Meliá Turquesa, Paradisus Riviera Cancún, Meliá Cozumel and Sol Cabañas del Caribe, all suffered damage, the extent of which is currently being assessed.  Sol Meliá will work with guests who have reservations in Cancun or Cozumel.  Groups and conventions which are scheduled to travel to Cancun in the next few months should contact their sales person who will assist in finding alternate sites such as the Mexican Pacific or the Caribbean Hotels. 

• As previously reported, the Cancun International Airport resumed operations on Tuesday, October 25.  It will continue to operate on recovery/evacuation status with preferential operations for inbound supplies and passenger departures until October 30.  On Monday, October, 31, Cancun�s International Airport will resume normal operations and will receive scheduled flights from Mexicana, US Air 3000 (Apple Vacations charter) and Aviacsa, as well as charter flights from GoGo Tours among others. 

• 12 local gas stations opened today

On Thursday, October 27, Mexican President Vicente Fox announced the following support:

• US$20 million to go towards beach recovery efforts

• US$10 million to go to towards restoration of the hotel zone�s infrastructure

• NAFINSA (Mexico�s government loan corporation) is assisting small businesses (shops, restaurants, others) with loans totaling US$340 million.

• In an effort to streamline hotel recovery, the Inter-American Development Bank has announced US$500 million in reconstruction and recovery loans. 

Cancun CVB
http://www.cancun.info/