CAMINO REAL Hotels and Resorts said it would
temporarily suspend penalty fees on cancellations of corporate
group reservations made in the U.S. on bookings made by April 30
for stays at its Mexico hotels until Dec. 15. A number of hotel
companies have adopted new cancellation policies in an effort to
ease travel concerns; Camino Real is the first Mexican chain to do
so. "The fragile situation in the travel industry with the threat
of war looming in the Middle East pushed us to adopt this measure,"
said Eduardo Ymay, vp-sales and marketing.
202,930 AND COUNTING. That's the number of
margaritas served at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun during the last 10
years, give or take a spilled drink or two. In celebration of its
10th anniversary in April, the resort will pay homage to its top
libation all month long in the Lobby Lounge, serving varieties
ranging from the No. 1 favorite Margarita Clasica, made with orange
liquor, to the Mayan Wave, a mix of vodka, peach liquor, pineapple
and orange juice, and grenadine. The hotel also will prepare
dinners featuring meals prepared by five Ritz-Carlton chefs from
five of the company's top restaurants on April 11 and 12.
Reservations are necessary. In addition, the resort will offer a
$299 Winter Leisure Rate through the end of April. For information
or reservations, call (800) 241-3333 or visit the Web at www.ritzcarlton.com.
CLASSIC CUSTOM VACATIONS teamed with Presidente
Inter-Continental hotels in Mexico on an early booking promotion.
Three-night packages start at $304 per person, double, at the
Presidente Inter-Continental Cancun. Some properties include food
and beverage credits, and taxes and gratuities. The offer is valid
for travel through April 12, except for the Presidente
Inter-Continental Cozumel, where the offer is good through June 30.
Visit www.classiccustomvacations.com for details.
AEROMEXICO VACATIONS, too, is promoting an
early booking discount. The operator is offering savings of up to
$270 per couple for a minimum of three nights when bookings are
made by April 30 for travel through Aug. 31. Packages include
roundtrip air on AeroMexico, accommodations, airport transfers,
taxes and 24-hour traveler assistance. Vacations to Mazatlan, for
example, start at $324 per person, double, for a three-night stay.
AeroMexico Vacations can be purchased through the major GDSs,
through VAXvacationaccess.com, or by calling (800)
245-8585.