Cancun's big comeback

[TexasStooge]

By ANGELA KOCHERGA / WFAA ABC 8

CANCUN, Mexico — Cancun is making a comeback, four months after Hurricane Wilma crashed ashore.

Several hotels and tourist spots are open in the spring break hotspot, but the reconstruction is far from complete.

Crews have been working around the clock spreading fresh sand on Cancun's beaches. Miles of the famous shoreline were washed away by Wilma.

"We had to come up to the next hotel to find a beach, because ours is under construction," said tourist Louise Atterbury. "But it's going really fast."

In the rush to make repairs, many hotels remain closed. About one-third are operating, but many more are expected to welcome tourists again in the coming weeks.

With the current shortage of rooms, prices are steep, although there are some bargains to be found online.

Many of the hotels are using the rebuilding phase to remodel. They are upgrading facilities and adding amenities like wireless Internet.

The message: Cancun is on the way back—better than ever.

Dean and Dori Hagstrom from Phoenix couldn't wait for the new and improved Cancun. "We both turned 50, so this is our celebration," Dori said.

"It's been a great time," Dean added.

With a small army of construction workers on the scene, Cancun tourism officials expect to soon celebrate the rebirth of Mexico's top resort.

Officials predict more than half of all the city's hotels will reopen by the end of March. The resort is expected to be back to normal in time for the summer vacation season.

[ROCK]

Officials predict more than half of all the city's hotels will reopen by the end of March. The resort is expected to be back to normal in time for the summer vacation season.


Just in time for hurricane season...

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

Exactly what I was thinking. How many hits and/or near hits, has the area taken in the last five years? I'd say about 5 or 6. Anyone know?

[ROCK]

sounds about right without doing any research. As long as tourists keep going they will keep rebuilding......

[AussieMark]

Roxanne 1995
Isidore 2002
Emily 2005
Wilma 2005

[Extremeweatherguy]

I was just in Cozumel, MX and though there is a definite comeback underway, the island is still a complete mess. It seems that nearly every tree on the island is downed or snapped and many of the buildings still are missing walls and roofs. It is amazing to still see such damage 5 months later. Cozumel and Cancun still have many years to go before reaching their former glory, and let's hope they are spared this season.