Cozumel is continuing to draw large visitor numbers. In May this year the destination witnessed a substantial growth in air passenger traffic with an increase of some 43 percent over the same period last year. This is according to Mexican airport operator ASUR.Many air carriers have either set up new or expanded existing service to the island this year.

Most recently is the increase by Continental Airlines with its Houston-Cozumel service. Continental will be operating two flights daily from Huston, now through Aug. 31 ‘04.

“Cozumel provides the perfect getaway for people not wanting or having the time to travel too far these days but still looking for a different vacation experience,” said Gaston Cantarell Diaz, President of the Cozumel Hotel Association and private sector representative for the tourism foundation. “It’s exciting to see more and more travellers choosing Cozumel as their holiday destination.”

Hotel occupancy has also risen significantly with occupancy levels for the first quarter of 2004 at more then 78 percent, a 15 percent increase over the same period ‘03 according to Cantarell.
——-