Mexico’s tourism officials tackle flu buzz head on

Agencies launch info campaign, while airlines and hotels ease cancellation policies

Even without the earthquake, Mexico had one tough week.

Because of the H1N1 (swine) flu, it looks like the country is going to have several more to follow.

Tourism is a main source of income for the country. Now many tour operators and hotel owners are reeling from the flu — and from the buzz about it. Both the Mexican Board of Tourism and Mexicana Airlines are making official responses through their Web sites, but U.S. residents are hesitant about hopping on a plane heading south of the border.

For now, it only looks like time and a new vaccine can help the situation.

“Mexican tourism is in a very tough spot right not,” Linda Kundell, of Kundell Communications, which handles PR for the U.S. Tour Operators Association and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association. “The reality is that you have to wait it out. No matter how much money you pour into your advertising campaigns, there’s a fear factor there right now.”