Mexico’s Minister of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo Welcomes back cruises a the Port of Cozumel

• On Wednesday, May 27, “Enchantment of the Seas” arrived at Cozumel with more than 2,446 passengers on board and was received by a special committee organized by Minister of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo; Governor Felix Gonzalez Canton; Mayor Juan Carlos Gonzalez and the CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board, Oscar Fitch.

• On Friday, May 29, “Freedom of the Seas” will arrive to the island with 3,300 passengers on board and on Saturday, “Holiday” with 1,452, marking the beginning of the economic reactivation of this tourist destination, considered one of the main cruise ship ports in the world. • Minister of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo emphasized that after three months without arrivals, a recuperation of the destination is predicted as well as an economic stimulus of 580,000 dollars from these three ships. Mexico City, Mexico;- May 27th, 2009- The Island of Cozumel, in the state of Quintana Roo, initiated its economic reactivation this Wednesday with the arrival of the cruise ship “Enchantment of the Seas” with 2,446 passengers onboard following the health scare in Mexico. This Royal Caribbean International ship was received by a special welcome committee organized by Mexico’s Minister of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo; Governor Felix Gonzalez Canton; Mayor Juan Carlos Gonzalez and the CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), Oscar Fitch, among other government officials. In addition, next Friday the ship “Freedom of the Seas” will arrive to the island with 3,300 passengers on board and on Saturday, “Holiday” with 1,452, marking the beginning of the economic reactivation of this tourist destination, considered one of the main cruise ship ports in the world. Elizondo emphasized that after three months without arrivals, a recuperation of the destination is predicted as well as an economic stimulus of 580,000 dollars from these three ships. “The reinstatement of activities in this port is a clear sign of the recuperation that the tourism sector in Cozumel is experiencing, as well as the rest of the country, which will allow us to show travelers what President Felipe Calderon has already mentioned, that Mexico is not only a beautiful country, but is also a strong country capable of facing the toughest adversaries, and Mexicans are prepared to give the best welcomes,” commented Elizondo. In addition, he emphasized that in the next 30 days they will be expecting a total of 39 cruise ship arrivals to Mexican ports, with Cozumel receiving the majority of them at 26. On the other hand, the arrival of “Freedom of the Seas,” considered the largest cruise ship in the world, coincides with the launch of the promotional campaign “Vive Mexico,” an initiative developed by the federal government with the goal of reactivating the tourism sector of the country.

The CEO of the MTB, Oscar Fitch Gomez, emphasized that the arrival of the "Enchantment of the Seas," "Freedom of the Seas" and "Holiday," not only shows that the sector has been reactivated, but also demonstrates the trust that tourists and international businesses, like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival, are placing on the tourist industry, its first class services and the hospitality that Mexicans offer to all their international visitors. The Island of Cozumel, known internationally for its tourism infrastructure, cliffs and snorkeling locations, is one of the first five cities certified by the Minister of Health as being “free of the H1N1 influenza virus,” and it is hoped that all activities in this destination will return to normalcy no later than June 15th. Photos by Mexico tourism Board About the Mexico Tourism Board The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America. For more information on destinations and online trip bookings please go to www.visitmexico.com