Mexican Resorts Raise the Stakes

It's no surprise that the H1N1 flu virus (swine flu) has taken an incredible toll on Mexico's tourist industry. As a result, some resorts in Mexico are going to great lengths to restore tourists' confidence.

The PR strategies began simply, with several destinations in Mexico touting their own lack of fatal swine flu cases. Now resorts are taking a similar approach to American automakers who assuage consumer fears by promising to cover payments in the event of a job loss... with an obvious medical twist:

Real Resorts is offering any guest who contracts the H1N1 flu virus within 14 days of visiting any of its resorts in Cancun or Playa del Carmen up to one free return trip a year for the next three years (same dates, length of stay and accommodation).

The guest must have it confirmed as H1N1 and must provide a positive blood result for the flu by a state-certified laboratory within 14 days of checkout, Real Resorts said. The "flu-free" guarantee applies to travel between May and October.

The deal was released less than a week after AMResorts launched an almost identical offer of three free vacations to any guest who books in Mexico between May 8 and June 30 and contracts the flu while staying at an affiliated property anytime through Dec. 20.

For more information on these incredible deals and resorts, call your travel agent or visit www.professionaltravelguide.com.