There was a report hotiliers in Mexico felt there was a decline in tourism of 5% due to the State dept. Travel Warnings.<BR><BR>We disagree. We think that it is due to the massive development of tourist resorts in the Dominican Republic and Cuba that account for some decline.<BR><BR>Packages to D.R. in Cdn Dollars for two week stay now $2300-$2700 on average for Puerta Plata and Punta Cana.<BR><BR>Packages to Cuba are $2400 CDn. to $3000 for two week stay. All inclusive.

I think it is the decline in US Tourism due to the economy and 9/11. Also Mexico has raised prices and Jamaica has decreased them.

I agree I think the decline has been because of the terrible shape of the economy and the job losses and finished stock market and no end in sight of the down turn. <BR>The threat of war. I will not travel if there is a war. We are waiting to see if there is a war.<BR><BR>The prices in Mexico are getting out of hand. They only pay those people $3 to $5 dollars a day then ask American prices for everything. In fact the prices are higher than in America. <BR>I have noticed an increase in the prices on many of the hotels in Cancun and Maya therefore am shopping a lot more carefully and looking at all options and other countries to see how what I can get for my dime.

I really think it depends where you go. I go to Oaxaca City twice a year. I ask people if they think tourism is down? What folks tell me is there are less Americans and more Eurpoeans. Also on prices, it depends where you go. If you don't go to resort areas you can easily find good food and lodging for less tham $30.00. That's still a travel bargain to me.

Here is my theory. In the last ten years every third world country with a beach has got in on the big hotel chain all inclusive game. They are building them everwhere. There is a glut on the market. <BR>In fact if you are not in the all inclusive game you are out of business.<BR><BR>Mexico compensates by raising prices and others compensate by reducing prices.<BR><BR>thus lower tourism.

we recently (october/november) spent 3 weeks in Yucatan, Campeche, Tabasco,Chiapas,Quintana Roo...prices ARE american...services are still Mexican....sights are SPECTACULAR!!!...people are GREAT...but, prices are 1st world...service..accommodations are still3rd...

We've only been to Cancun (twice)and Cabo San Lucas (twice) as far as Mexican vacations. The hotels (resorts) are first class. Prices are definitely AMERICAN!!! With the slowing US economy, Americans are looking for more values for our dollars.

Although in earlier years we had been twice to P.V., Cabo, Cancun, Cozumel and Manzanillo, last October we went to the Yucatan and I never felt so ripped off.. The Dominican Republic has it head and heels over Mexico in value. The price in off-season in Mexico at a hotel I hated more than anyplace (Iberostar Paraiso) in the D.R. we have gone. Heard other guests saying they thought the D.R. was a better value..Worts, I agree entirely..Two weeks from today we will be going back to the D.R. (for the second time Punta Cana) for the eighth time. Have read that there is a huge resort complex in the works for Punta Cana which will rival any other major resort (that big I'll avoid) and a new cruise port is being built at La Romana near Casa de Campo. In this U.S. economy the name of the game is value, service and price and we are choosing the D.R.

For Jen's comments above... You can't go to Cancun and Cabo and then complain that prices in &quot;Mexico&quot; are at an American level!! Those are two notoriously expensive resort destinations and not representative of the country at large.<BR><BR>Plus think apples=apples... you *can* compare AI vacations in different locations, but you can't compare a Cancun packaged holiday with independent travel to less developed destinations in Mexico (because that is still inexpensive~ traveling by bus, staying in 2/3-star Mexican hotels, etc.).