Mexico Tourism Board Q&A

 Q. Are you saying everything’s business as usual in Mexico, nothing’s going on and therefore tourists should keep on with their plans to travel to Mexico? Isn’t that irresponsible?

The Mexico Tourism Board’s mission is to ensure that tourists have an extraordinary experience in Mexico so they want to come back. Therefore, our tourists’ well-being is a top priority. I’d like to point out that both, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the U.S. State Department, have said that there was no need for U.S. travelers to change, restrict or alter their plans to travel to Mexico. In addition, these organizations have not issued any special precautionary measures; they’ve only issued reminders of their habitual flu-prevention precautions.

 Q. Are you recommending to tourists to skip the capital city and go directly to tourism destinations outside Mexico City?

We are following health recommendations of the Mexican health authorities as well as those of the WHO and CDC. At this point, they have said that there’s no need for travelers to change, restrict or alter their plans to travel to Mexico. We are recommending though, following health authorities’ guidelines, that all visitors follow habitual flu-prevention precautions, such as:

o Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing… Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way

These recommendations have been made available at customs and immigration points, and have been distributed to tour operators, travel agencies and hotels.


 Q. What specific health clinics/facilities/resources do tourists have with respect to the flu outbreak? Are health facilities in tourist areas prepared to handle such an outbreak or pandemic?

Mexican health authorities are working hand-in-hand with the WHO to assure early detection and warning, and respond proactively quickly. They are well-equipped to handle the outbreak, and this includes having the facilities, equipment and contingency plans in place, to confront this issue.

 Q. Can you guarantee that there’s no risk for tourists to contract swine flu in Mexico?

We can guarantee that Mexican health authorities are working hand-in-hand with the WHO to assure early detection and warning, and respond proactively quickly. They are well-equipped to handle the outbreak, and this includes having the facilities, equipment and contingency plans in place, to confront this issue. The WHO, CDC and U.S. State Dept have said that there’s no need for travelers to change, restrict or alter their plans to travel to Mexico. The CPTM is conducting a wide-reaching awareness effort to ensure that all visitors follow habitual flu-prevention precautions.

 Q. Are we talking about a “Pandemic” situation?

The current “Swine Flu” outbreak is NOT a “Pandemic,” as the outbreak is confined mainly to Mexico. A Pandemic means a new flu virus infecting people in several areas of the world at the same time; like the 1958 Blue Death that killed over 50 million people worldwide. A Pandemic like this is far likely to happen because of modern public health measures and because we have been exposed to several parts of this virus before and have an immune memory to it.

 Q. What is the expected impact of the swine flu outbreak on Mexican tourism? Which areas will be most affected?

At this point, we have not seen any alarming patterns or sudden drop in bookings, although we might expect a short-term drop as a result of early media reports. However, what’s important here is that .both the WHO and the CDC, as well as the U.S. State Department, have said that there was no need for U.S. travelers to change, restrict or alter their plans to travel to Mexico. In addition, these organizations have not issued any special precautionary measures; they’ve only issued reminders of their habitual flu-prevention precautions. We do expect a short-term drop in bookings.

 Q. How many group travel/hotel cancellations have you had so far? Expectations?

So far, we have not received any information about it. But as the CDC, there are no travel restrictions to Mexico

 Q. When do you think this virus will go away, so tourists feel safe to visit Mexico again?

It is hard to foresee exactly when the virus will go away, but we should be comforted by the time of the year. This is the end of the flu season, not the beginning. Flu viruses thrive in the low humidity of winter, not summer, so it is very likely that this outbreak will die automatically as the summer comes. Tourists should feel safe to visit Mexico; always taking the necessary precautions to have a pleasant time in the country.

 Q. Why people should visit Mexico when the country is asking its own citizens not to go to school, museums are closed and public fairs and events are cancelled?

Closing schools and public events are just a way to prevent spread; being that schoolchildren are notorious flu spreaders. These measures should not send the wrong message that a massive pandemic is in the offing. Most tourism destinations such as Los Cabos, Cancún, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, etc., have not been affected by the virus.