Apple Vacations Press Release

[George]

While Cancun Rebuilds, Riviera Maya is Open and Waiting

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Repairs to Cancun are
underway and progressing quickly. Electricity, drinking water, drainage and
phone service are now completely restored, and the city's repairs to the hotel
zone include replanting gardens, repaving streets, repairing sidewalks and
bike paths, replacing trees and installing new lighting and signs.
    In the meantime, the Riviera Maya, largely unaffected by the recent
hurricane, is ready for vacationers.  Apple Vacations -- the world's leading
tour operator to Cancun and the Rivera Maya -- has resumed daily flights to
the area, hotels are 90 percent operational and stores, restaurants, bars and
shops are open and ready for business. Most excursions are up-and-running, and
Playa del Carmen is as vibrant as ever.
    "Stores are open.  Restaurants are open.  The beaches are great.  The sun
is shining.  And we want visitors to come and join us for the party," said
Gabriela Rodriguez, State Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo.
    In fact, recent visitors to the Riviera Maya are surprised by the rapid
completion of cosmetic repairs made to hotels and resorts.  "I expected to see
a lot more damage.  I have a lot of groups coming down here in the next few
months, and I'll be able to go back and tell them there are no problems," said
Marva Donovan, owner of Dolphin Travel in Grand Rapids, MI.
    The Mexico Tourism Board estimates that 12,000 rooms in Cancun and 17,400
in the Riviera Maya will be able to receive visitors by December 15.
     For the time being, though, the Riviera Maya remains Quintana Roo's best-
kept secret.  "The hospitality has been fantastic, and the condition of the
hotels are great.  I'm a little surprised there aren't more people here," Al
Valente of Valente Travel in Windsor, Ontario.

    About Apple Vacations
For more than 35 years, Apple Vacations has grown to become one of the
largest vacation companies/tour operators in North America. In 2005, Apple
will operate over 200 winter and 100 summer charters each week on a national
basis to more than 50 beach destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Apple
has recently been honored with awards for its contribution to tourism
including Travel Weekly's Reader's Choice Award for "Best Tour Operator to
Mexico" and Recommend Magazine's Reader's Choice Award for "Best Tour Operator
to the Caribbean." Apple Vacations are sold exclusively through retail travel
agents.