Destination Update: Mexico, Martinique, Saint Lucia & More

The Quintana Roo Tourism Board offered an update on the efforts underway to support the tourism industry and it also unveiled details on the united strategy and integrated plan to support the industry’s rapid recovery.

The destination includes Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, and Bacalar and the Mexican Caribbean’s tourism industry continues to closely support the Quintana Roo State government in its proactive actions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

This includes the latest creative advertising under the campaign name “Paradise Can Wait/Please Stay Home,” which features the diverse attractions across the region, all showcased as they are today, with the state’s residents and visitors remaining at home.

This effort coincides with the beginning of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cancun, an occasion that has been promoted through social media channels as well.

Dario Flota, CEO of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board, indicated that these actions are part of a coordinated program across the state government to show solidary during this difficult time and ensure that the industry’s united voice is heard internationally.

Said Flota: “Our communications during this time focuses on ensuring we fully embrace the proactive decisions by the State government to take every measure possible to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our state. This will ultimately result in our ability to recover more quickly as the global travel sector begins to rebound later this year.”

The state’s tourism industry continues to adapt its promotional strategy while planning for a period of recovery. The Mexican Caribbean region has experienced a multi-year period of continued growth in terms of tourist arrivals, investments in hotels and new products, and the opening of new destinations across the region. While traditional promotional campaigns are paused during the pandemic, the Quintana Roo Tourism Board and the entire industry are working hand-in-hand to prepare for a multiphase recovery.

Integrated marketing campaigns are necessary to ensure the destination’s readiness and promote the incredible diversity of tourist offerings to the right audiences at the appropriate time.

Ongoing discussions with airlines, hotel groups, tour operators, travel agents, meeting planners, online travel booking engines, associations, and other members of the international and local industry during the past month reveal a high degree of enthusiasm for collaboration on a united recovery promotional campaign.

And all stakeholders have expressed confidence that both international and domestic tourists will see the Mexican Caribbean as an attractive and safe region to visit once travel restrictions are lifted.

The recovery strategy will first focus on ensuring the swift return of direct air connectivity to the state’s three international airports in Cancun, Cozumel and Chetumal.

In parallel to this effort, all members of the industry will be made aware of the destination’s readiness to receive visitors and the enhanced health and hygiene protocols in place across the state and the locations frequented by tourists.

Finally, consumers will be engaged with creative materials and targeted messaging using advertising, public relations, digital and social media as well as co-marketing campaigns with industry partners.

In addition to the domestic travel market in Mexico, key international markets included in the campaign will include the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe.

The campaign will be rolled out in several phases, closely aligned with the lifting of travel restrictions and resumption of direct flights and the exact timing will remain flexible in order to adapt to the changing environment for recovery in the coming months. Working together with both the domestic and international tourism industry, the Quintana Roo Tourism Board is committed to investing in the critical recovery period to come.

Tianguis Set For March 2021 In Merida

It’s Merida in March 2021 for the 45th edition of Mexico’s annual Tianguis Turístico.

Additionally, the trade show will also be showcased on a new stage with the launch of the first Digital Tianguis Turístico, which will take place this September.

“In an unprecedented and historical way, the 45 Tourist Tianguis evolves into a better showcase meeting the needs of the new reality imposed on us by the global crisis of COVID-19,” said Michelle Fridman, minister of tourism for the State of Yucatan.

And the minister continued: “The renewed Tianguis 360 will be a hybrid multi-event with a digital component and a face-to-face component, which will allow us to face the current needs for efficiency, innovation, reactivation and preservation of the great institution called Tianguis Turístico that represents us. Yucatan is ready.”

Mexican tourism secretary Miguel Torruco Marques emphasized that due to Covid-19 the country has faced an unprecedented situation in modern history that affects everyone and has had serious repercussions in various areas. Beyond the health sector, the crisis has impacted all productive sectors, including tourism, a solid engine for development and prosperity.

“As a result of a long and careful process of analysis by the Organizing Committee and of a consensus with leaders and key actors from the tourism industry, today we announce that the 45th edition of  Tianguis Turístico has evolved into a new format in response to the new reality imposed by the global crisis of Covid-19. It has transformed into an innovative event with both a digital component and a live, in-person version that will be held on different dates,” he said.

The head of Sectur added that for the first time in its history, the most important tourism event in Mexico will update its format to meet six objectives:

• Protect the health of all Mexicans and participants of Tianguis Turístico.
• Promptly reactivate tourism in the country.
• Empathize and support an industry that has been financially affected.
• Further evolve and innovate Tianguis Turistico, in alignment with the latest trends in the meetings segment.
• To be an edition of Tianguis Turístico that is inclusive, a first for the show.
• The continuation of an event that belongs to all of us, one that we should preserve as an important institution that represents us all.

“These are the objectives we will seek to meet, therefore, we introduce the first Digital Tianguis Turístico in September, which will culminate at the 45th edition of the Tianguis Turístico in the state of Yucatán, from March 21 to 24, 2021” he said.

Torruco Marques informed that the details of this renewed Tianguis Turístico and the changes it implies will be announced in a timely manner in the coming months, once the critical phase of this health crisis has concluded.

Martinique Prepares To Emerge From Lockdown

Following announcements out of France on the stage-by-stage lifting of its lockdown, the Martinique Tourism Authority advises that the French Caribbean island has been classified as a ‘green’ area, meaning that it is an area where thevirus is not spreading

That classification has paved the way for the lifting of the lockdown and resumption of activities – a process that began on May 11.

While the reopening of the island is currently underway, the state of health emergency is still in force in Martinique until at least June 1. That allows the Prefecture of Martinique to supervise the lockdown lifting measures suggested for the island, in agreement with the Regional Health Agency of Martinique.

Social distancing, adaptation of working hours, reopening of businesses except theatres and other meeting places with more than 10 people are among other things in the agenda.

Restaurants will remain closed until further notice, as will beaches unless a prefectoral degree with effective control of social distancing is issued.

The wearing of masks is highly recommended (especially in businesses) and the respect of barrier and hygiene measures are still imperative.

As for the resumption of tourism in Martinique, according to the instructions presented by the French government, external borders of the French territory will remain closed until further notice.

Regional flights between Martinique and Guadeloupe will resume on May 12 and the creation of a common health area will enable travellers from the islands of Guadeloupe and northern territories (Saint Martin and Saint Barth) not to be quarantined when arriving in Martinique. Visitors coming from any other destination will still have to undergo a 14-days quarantine, which will be mandatory at least until June 1 in one of the reception centres requisitioned by the Prefecture of Martinique. For the moment, there is still no official information about the opening of the hotels, and while the end of July has been talked about, François Baltus-Languedoc, CEO of the Martinique Tourism Authority advised that:

“For the time being, we still don’t know when hotels will be able to reopen and we still have no visibility on the opening of restaurants; nevertheless, the Martinique Tourism Authority is very active along with the other overseas French departments because together, obviously, we are stronger.”

Baltus-Languedoc continued: “Hence the idea of the promotional campaign French Caribbean, led by Karine Mousseau, the president of the Martinique Tourism Authority. We are not giving up and we continue our lobbying work with the French government. Because if we wait for vaccines to resume the flights, we are still here for one more year.”

Inspiring Saint Lucia 

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has put together a new blog series called “Saint Lucia Inspires” that lets readers and viewers experience what the island has to offer through its website — www.stlucia.org — and Facebook platform — @travelSaintLucia.

With world staying home, armchair travel has become the norm and research reveals that consumers are searching online now for travel ideas for once the travel bans are lifted.

And they’re looking for destinations for inspiration to travel again as they navigate the challenges of COVID-19.

Commenting on the series, Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee said; “The virtual demand for Saint Lucia at this time is amazing and our team is more than happy to share the stories of our hidden treasures and authentic experiences that when our international gateways are open again, Saint Lucia would be top top-of-mind.”

Saint Lucia Inspires will continue with a bi-monthly Monday-blog that will highlight on the island’s villages, heroes, health & wellness offerings, culinary delights, romantic settings, and culture.

In addition to the “Saint Lucia Inspires” blog series, the SLTA continues to showcase “7 Minutes in Saint Lucia” series, a Live Instagram virtual experience on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 11 a.m. ECT on @travelSaintLucia

For some more inspiration to visit Saint Lucia later, visit Instagram @TravelSaintLucia, Facebook/TravelSaintLucia and Twitter @TravelStLucia.

For more on how Saint Lucia is handling the COVID-19 crisis, go to https://www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19 .

Tahiti Comes To You

The Islands of Tahiti is inviting travellers to explore its islands through a virtual series of inspirational content.

Tahiti Comes To You brings stories of life in the bucket-list paradise to visitors from a virtual lens.

As the world continues to practice social distancing and adapt to changes brought on by COVID-19, the start of travel is uncertain.

The Islands of Tahiti is a place for Canadians to not only dream about, but to embrace its local culture and humanity.

Visual stories engage online audiences, ranging from Tahitian sharing traditional dance to modern takes on traditional recipes. The campaign inspires feelings of joy and hope that the world can recover from this global crisis and ensure a love of exploration continues.

With Tahiti coming directly to Canadians via desktop or mobile phone, it shares the message that there are “Sunnier Days Ahead,” an uplifting quote widely used in the campaign content.

Tahiti Comes To You is available for Canadians to visit online and become inspired as they stay at home:

• English: www.tahititourisme.ca/en-ca/tahiti-comes-to-you/
• French: www.tahititourisme.ca/fr-ca/tahiti-comes-to-you/

Canadians can sign up for Tahiti Comes To You newsletters on the landing page, to learn more about the campaign and receive inspirational content for future travel planning.

Travel professionals and influencers are encouraged to utilize campaign assets, which are available here: https://bit.ly/3evEVJc.

Go to www.TahititTourisme.ca for more.