I imagine it is very exciting visiting a resort for the first time especially of the place has just been opened and there is a media buzz surrounding it. Must be great to have to test all the food and activities such as the fitness centers and spa treatments not to mention how comfy the beds are!

Also thanks for the tips on how to become a successful travel writer, I will look forward to your next article.

I loved reading your thoughts about the trip and I too felt like royalty the whole time we were there! They definitely know how to take care of their guests!!!

Actually we weren’t as brave as it seems – the media has really blown the whole swine flu story way out of proportion, and given it way more air time than it deserves. All of the cases in Mexico were limited to Mexico City, which we were never anywhere near (Mexico City in one of the largest cities in the world with around 25 million in population, and suffers from systems that are far below our standards here in the US – I’m referring to sanitation, water and sewage, health care, and public hygiene).

The reason that some people in Mexico City died from the flu is primarily because many people there do not have any health insurance, and little access to health care regardless. People there tend to just tough it out, where we here in the US tend to call our doctor at the first sign of a cough or sniffle. Having quick and easy access to first-rate health care can mean all the difference in the world.

And while I do like your idea of a “road trip” media trip (that could be fun!) I feel I should point out that you can pick up a cold or flu just as easily here at home as you can while abroad.

Besides, we didn’t even hear about the whole issue until we were flying home – you know what they say….”ignorance is bliss”!!

To be honest we didn’t really hear anything about it until the day we left (last Sunday) and it was (and still is) pretty much limited to just Mexico City (it has not spread to the tourist areas)….so there really wasn’t any sense of panic at all. I really think it’s just over-hyping by the media that is causing so much concern.

I have been at resorts around the Caribbean and Mexico when there were other issues – severe weather, power outages, etc. – and in all cases the staff at the resorts did a terrific job of maintaining a sense of calm and safety, communicating what is happening clearly and frequently, and making sure guests had plenty of bottled water, food, and blankets. I’ve heard from others who went through hurricanes that the resorts did a great job of taking care of them even for days afterward until they could get home (at no extra cost). Employees stayed on to take care of guests even when their own homes and families were in danger.

My take is that, with few exceptions, the hospitality industry does a good job of training employees to make sure that even when something bad happens, guests will still leave with a good experience of the place and it’s people, making them want to return.

I can’t wait for the post on Dos and Dont’s of Media Trips.