IBEROSTAR UPDATE - 7:17 CST

[George]

I just received this email from one of our board members.
Thanks to sbruno!

I will verify this info with Iberostar tomorrow.

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From: JOHN LONG
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 1:28 AM
Subject: IBEROSTAR UPDATE

Dear Travel Partners,

I am pleased to inform you that all of your passengers made it through Hurricane Wilma and were able to return to their rooms on Sunday afternoon. Our Resorts in the Riviera Maya had electricity throughout the whole time of the Hurricane and we continue to have power in all of our Resorts, but this is coming from our generators and not from an external power source. We are still trying to find out when we will have power again, but it is still too soon to get a definitive answer. We also have plenty of water and food which should last us until this Friday. As you can imagine all supplies are being rationed out. In regards to the Iberostar Cozumel, we still have not received word as to how severe the damages are and the Resort was evacuated completely during the Hurricane. 

As a result of Hurricane Wilma’s impact, our Hotels have sustained extensive damages that are causing us to not be able to accept any new passengers for at least a month at all Iberostar Paraiso Resorts and a minimum of 3 weeks at the Iberostar Tucan / Quetzal. At this time we cannot give specific information as to the exact damages, but we are in the process of assessing the damages and will send you a detailed report as soon as we receive this information from our Hotels. We currently have no phone communication with the Iberostar Paraiso resorts, but the Iberostar Tucan / Quetzal continues to have phone service.

As we are assessing the damage, please ensure that effective immediately you place all of our Hotels on stop sale until further notice. All passengers traveling during this time are allowed to cancel with no penalty.

Myself along with our Owner, our CEO, our Executive VP and our Chief Architect will be traveling to Cancun within the next few days to determine exactly what it will take to get our Resorts back up and running and our strategy throughout the coming months.

Thank you for your continued cooperation during these trying times and for all your support, thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
JOHN LONG
V.P. Sales & Marketing
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

[MikeOKC]

That sounds encouraging.  I hope John continues to be forthcoming as they have been less than conversant in the past.

MikeOKC

[kurtfortworth]

Thanks for the update, George.  I wish there was no damage, but it is good news that we will be able to cancel without penalty as my fiance and I were planning on getting married on Nov 12 at the Tucan along with 25 guests.  Good luck getting the place back up to par so we can come visit at a later date.

[Mark]

as i have stated before Iberostar is a top notch company and will do right, if you are to go there in the next 4 to 6 weeks go ahead and change your reservations after that time frame i believe all will be well. but keep checking back for updates.

Mark

 

[JK]

George, thank you so much for the update.  At least we know that they will be closed for at least a month.  Now people can make plans or other arrangements. Thanks again.

[Jim]

Relax JK - that's not exactly what it said.  Don't forget that Cancun airport is only open on a limited basis.  We don't know how these guys from Barcelona are coming in.  If they can't  fly into Cancun, then what?  Mexico City and drive in?  (glad it's them not me)  Doesn't seem to me that any professionals have gotten in there yet to assess damages.  But  yes, if I were taking a family or a wedding party, I'd seriously think about going elsewhere for awhile.
Jim

[George]

I just received an email from Mr. John Long -V.P. Sales & Marketing Iberostar Hotels & Resorts.

Here's what he said in this email:

"The update is legitimate and I do not have any further information at this time."

I have removed his email address from every post with "IBEROSTAR UPDATE".

George

 

[schmerl]

The Apple Vacations site says IB resorts on the RM are closed through December 1st.
  http://www.applevacations.com/static/promotions/hurricane/wilma/riv.htm

[krazy4playa]

Hi George,

I have a freind that is a supervisor at Ibostar Paridiso just north of Play del Carmen. Can you tell me if he is safe? His name is Rodrigo Martinez. His cell phone has not been working. Please let him know his freinds Tim and Casey (Kecee) are concerned for him. I believe I saw a report that the hotel suffered quite a bit of damage but that the guests and staff are safe. Do you have an estamate on when the Paridiso will re-open? I have a freind here in the States that is getting marred there next month. I know you are busy so I will wait with patience. Thank you.

[George]

Please read this update and contact Iberostar directly.

George

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http://www.iberostar-board.com/boards/index.php?topic=1801.msg7614#msg7614

IBEROSTAR HOTELS & RESORTS
2655 LEJEUNE ROAD
SUITE 916 CORAL GABLES FL 33134
TEL. 305-774-9225
TOLL FREE 1888 923 2722
FAX 305 774 4810
e-mail sales@iberostar-hotels.com

IB PARAISO LINDO
Riviera Maya, Chetumal - Puerto Juarez, km.309
77710 - Playa Paraíso
Quintana Roo - Mexico
Tel: 52-984-8772800
Fax: 52-984-8772810
reservas.paraiso@iberostar.com.mx
rpparaiso@iberostar.com.mx

IB PARAISO MAYA
Riviera Maya, km. 309
77710 - Playa Paraíso
Quintana Roo - Mexico
Tel: 52-984-8772800
Fax: 52-984-8772811
rpparaiso@iberostar.com.mx

IB PARAISO del MAR - BEACH
Chetumal - Puerto Juarez, km.309
77710 - Playa Paraíso
Quintana Roo - Mexico
Tel: 52 984 8772800
Fax: 52 984 8772810
rpparaiso@iberostar.com.mx
rvaspo@iberostar.com.mx

[MikeOKC]

Cancun Airport will experience lower than normal activity because of the damage.  However airports are available at Merida and Chetumal.  Both cities are a long drive but a whole lot closer than Mexico City.

MikeOKC

[krazy4playa]

Sun Country Airlines is using the International Airport in Chitza-Itza until October 31st. It is only 90 minutes from Cancun. 


www.suncountry.com

[JK]

Jim, I'm not sure what I said in the post that warrents me to "relax."  I was just thanking George for the update and at least those that have reservations in the near future have an idea of what they need to do.  I was referring to the following on George's post:

"As a result of Hurricane Wilma’s impact, our Hotels have sustained extensive damages that are causing us to not be able to accept any new passengers for at least a month at all Iberostar Paraiso Resorts and a minimum of 3 weeks at the Iberostar Tucan / Quetzal. "

[Jim]

Sorry JK, that was two days ago.  I just didn't want to get to excited yet.  With the news of today, I can now get a little more excited.  Sorry if you were offended, the printed word sometimes does not convey the sentiment.
Jim

[JK]

No offense taken, just needed a clarification.  I understand that email is hard to convey the real message and can sometimes be taken out of context.   Thanks for responding.