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GLOBAL HEALTH SUMMIT IN CANCUN AIMS TO PUT MEDIA FLU FEARS TO REST
 Mexico's tourism industry is hoping high-profile conferences, advertising, promotions and other world events are making H1N1 swine flu fears a distant memory.
Indeed, as the Mexico Tourism Board's advertising campaign in major U.S. markets goes into high gear and other world events dominate news coverage, the H1N1 flu is already looking like old news.
This month, health ministers from all over the world will gather in Cancun for a conference titled "Global Summit Over Lessons Learned From Influenza A (H1N1)." Cancun officials are expected to highlight that only 57 cases of H1N1 -- and no deaths -- were confirmed in Quintana Roo, home to Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
"After a month and nine days of having lifted the warning in countries such as the United States and Canada, Cancun has 65% hotel occupancy, only 10 points below what we consider normal for this season," said Quintana Roo Gov. Felix Gonzalez in announcing the health summit, which is expected to draw health ministers and leaders from major world health organizations.
"The Global Summit will not only position Mexico and Quintana Roo as a safe place for tourist activity, but also will serve as a platform to exchange knowledge and information regarding [H1N1]," he said. |
MIE IN THE NEWS: CRAFTING A CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
MIE's president, Adam Lawhorne, was interviewed recently on a topic that concerns all meeting planners, how to deal with a crisis.
Over the last eight years, the meeting, travel and tourism industry has experienced a number of global incidents that have put crisis management plans to the test. From crises such as 9/11 and the current influenza A subtype H1N1 outbreak ("swine flu"), meeting planners have learned how to enact last-minute contingency plans. These unexpected events also have proven the importance of outlining a response system during the planning process and examining contracts to make sure liability issues are addressed.
"When 9/11 occurred, I was the CEO of a travel management company and we had people stranded all over the world - without a crisis management plan," says Adam Lawhorne, now president of Meeting Incentive Experts. "I took classes with Meeting Professionals International in Chicago and drew up a contingency plan for future emergencies."
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OBAMA WILL STAR IN MEXICO'S RECOVERY CAMPAIGN
 U.S. President Barack Obama and other political leaders are among those participating in the first part of Mexico's three-phase campaign to get North Americans traveling back to Mexico.
The first part of the campaign, entitled "Believe It," is running during the last half of June in major TV markets in the U.S and in Canada. In the U.S., ads will run in Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco.
The campaign features "strong, impacting" statements from President Obama and other leaders, said the Mexico Tourism Board.
Phase two of the campaign is entitled "Welcome Back" and is designed to remind Americans of the "magical moments that bond them to Mexico," according to the board.
Phase three will be a co-op campaign entitled "Mexico -- It's Time to Go" and feature deals and packages. The campaign will run through the winter season.
"Mexico is letting the world know that we are ready to welcome back travelers and continue to offer the beauty, culture, history, gastronomy, and pristine beaches our country is known for -- and of course, all within great proximity and at a great value," said Oscar Fitch, the Mexico Tourism Board's CEO.
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