Cozumel hurricane damage update

COZUMEL, Mexico (October 25, 2005) - Cozumel tourism officials
acknowledge the island has sustained substantial damage from
Hurricane Wilma, but with the gradual restoration of primary
services, efforts to facilitate the return of tourist to their homes
are moving quickly ahead.

According to Raul Maruffo, director of the Cozumel Tourism Promotion
Board, "The most important thing is that people are safe. There were
no tourists injured as a result of the storm and our goal now is to
facilitate both air and ferry transportation so that the remaining
travelers can return home safely."

Current updates from the island as of 5:00 p.m. Central Time:

• The Cozumel airport sustained some damage but the runway is open
and the airport is operating. As of today, (Tuesday, October 25)
Mexicana Airlines began flights out of Cozumel to Mexico City. In
addition, Mexicana Airlines is expected to continue flights tomorrow
(Wednesday, October 26) and American Airlines will also provide a
flight out of Cozumel to Dallas tomorrow. The destination is working
with these and other airline partners to arrange additional flights
to the U.S. to help remaining tourists on the island return home.

• Some tourists began travel home yesterday (Monday, October 24)
morning, taking the ferry to Playa Del Carmen and catching buses to
the Merida Airport for flights home. Coupled with the flights to the
U.S. from Cozumel scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, October 26),
Cozumel officials expect the majority of tourists to have left the
island by mid-day Thursday, October 27.

• Ferry services between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen began
operating at 9:30 a.m. yesterday morning (Monday, October 24) and
have been running continuously since that time. The ferry has been
operating free of charge for tourists and locals.

• Approximately 1000 tourists currently remain in Cozumel. Tourists
have been relocated to downtown hotels, which have sustained less
damage from the storm and are well supplied to accommodate guests.

• Telephone service is operating. Hotel properties housing travelers
are assisting guests with calls home to family and friends.

• Cozumel coastal hotels and resorts have suffered extensive damage
and most are closed for damage assessment. More specific information
will be provided as it becomes available.

• Currently all cruise ship piers remain closed. The Punta Maya Pier
was lost during the storm. The remaining International and Punta
Langosta Piers have sustained damages but are still intact and are
being assessed.

Electricity remains out on the island. Fuel is available for
generators currently operating. Additional generators are being
brought to the island to help restore basic electricity and sewage,
and are expected to arrive tomorrow

According to the mayor's office, tourist cruise ship arrivals
are scheduled to resume on November 20. As most of the cruise
ship piers were damaged, tourists initially will be taken
ashore in tender boats. "It will take time, but Cozumel
will come back."