COZUMEL TODAY-Destination Provides the Latest News About Hotel Openings, New Flights and Island Attractions at 2006 Tianguis Travel Tradeshow

A new and revitalized Cozumel is what travelers will find when visiting the ever-popular Mexican-Caribbean island this year. Stemming in part from Hurricane Wilma, Cozumel has experienced a great deal of change since last year including hotel renovations, expanded beaches, and new sights and attractions. With all the wonderful transformations, travelers have even more reason to visit and revisit the cozy island retreat.

Following are updates regarding flights to Cozumel, the island's hotels and attractions, cruise ships and piers, as well as news about the upcoming Mexico Underwater Dive Show.

TRAVEL TO COZUMEL

Cozumel By Air:

Cozumel continues to provide easy access to the island with a variety of direct flights from the U.S. and Mexico. Further expanding service to the destination, Delta has announced its brand-new New York to Cozumel route. Scheduled to fly out of New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, the new direct flight will be available to travelers beginning June 3, 2006.

Current flights to Cozumel include:

• American Airlines – Flights available daily from Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas.

• Continental – Flights available daily from Houston, Texas.

• Delta – Flights available three days a week from Atlanta, Georgia.

• Frontier – Flights available Saturdays from Denver, Colorado.

• US Airways – Flights available on Saturdays and Sundays from Charlotte, North Carolina.

• Mexicana – Flights available daily from Mexico City, Mexico.

Cozumel By Sea:

Today, Cozumel continues to welcome world-class cruise lines regularly to its shores. With ongoing repairs to Cozumel's three piers (Puerta Maya Pier, Punta Langosta Pier, and SSA International Pier) passengers must currently be tendered to shore. Starting May 2006 Cozumel's SSA International Pier will reopen allowing cruise ships to dock easily and cruise passengers to enjoy quicker access to the island.

COZUMEL HOTELS AND RESORTS

Cozumel hotels and resorts are now looking better than ever with island properties having completed more than $80 million in renovations to date.

The island continues to provide guests with an incredible array of accommodations and amenities to suit every traveler's interest and budget. With nearly all restoration projects now completed, Cozumel will have 49 of its 51 hotels open and more than 3,500 of the island's 4,000-plus hotel rooms available by April 1, 2006. A few hotels such as the Park Royal Cozumel and the Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel Resort and Spa have elected to reopen later in the year due to plans to expand facilities and upgrade amenities.

Additional hotel updates include:

• Fiesta Americana Cozumel reopened its 224-room property on March 4, 2006 Considerable restorations to the property were made including the redesign of its Tropical Forest Restaurant, expansion of the hotel's beach zone and beach club, addition of a new beach bar, and installation of a new dock. The hotel is also in the process of remodeling its 56 ecological cottages.

• Hotel Cozumel and Resort will be opening its brand new Convention Center April 2006. Providing all necessary audiovisual equipment, the convention center will have a capacity to accommodate up to 600 people. The hotel will also be introducing a new restaurant, sport and activities area with tennis court, and a spa that is expected to be finished by summer 2006.

• Park Royal Cozumel is scheduled to open July 1, 2006. Part of a remodeling plan, prior to Hurricane Wilma, the hotel will reopen with 344 new rooms, nearly tripling its original offering of 114 rooms. The expansion will also include new glass balconies, 4 restaurants, 5 bars, 2 snack bars, a kids club with children's splash pool and water slide, an open air theatre equipped with state-of-the-art light and sound systems. Everything from necessary provisions for guests to the hotel's operational equipment will be brand new when the hotel reopens.

• Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel Resort and Spa is scheduled to reopen on September 1, 2006. Investing more than $25 million in renovations and hotel expansions, the resort will introduce a number of new facilities including an additional pool, new restaurants, a Scuba certification-training center and new golf putting green. The 220 redesigned rooms and suites will feature luxurious new furniture and state-of-the-art amenities including plasma televisions. A new category of deluxe "Ocean Suites" will be added to the hotel's offerings.

COZUMEL COUNTRY CLUB

The Cozumel Country Club has recently achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), the educational division of Audubon International. Cozumel Country Club is the very 1st course in Mexico and the 590th in the world to receive the honor.

To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas, including environmental planning, wildlife & habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.

Audubon International is a not-for-profit environmental education organization dedicated to educating, assisting, and inspiring millions of people from all walks of life to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them. By helping people make sound environmental decisions and actions, and building from individual to organizational, and eventually, community-wide involvement, Audubon International seeks to foster more sustainable human and natural communities. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs were created to provide information and guidance to help people preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources where they live, work, and play.

MEXICO UNDERWATER

Cozumel is host of the 2006 "México Underwater Dive Show," held June 1-3, 2006 at the Cozumel Convention Center. Sponsored by the Cozumel Tourism Promotion Board and the Government of the State of Quintana Roo, the second annual dive show will display the wide array of dive facilities and privileges that Mexico offers to scuba diving and water sports enthusiasts – all in one place.

More than 35 major Mexican destinations, representing the country's more than 6,000 miles of coastline -- along with inland lakes, springs, rivers, caves, and cenotes -- will be participating at this year's event to provide guests with informative seminars, product expositions, dive travel packages and more.

The Mexico Underwater Dive Show will include:

• Expositions on Mexican destinations, services and facilities.

• Expositions on airlines and travel agencies offering services to Mexican destinations from the US, Canada and Europe.

• Seminars on various destinations.

• An underwater film festival.

• A photo contest.

• SCUBA specialty courses at reduced prices.

• New equipment demonstrations. Unlike other dive shows, equipment demos will be provided in the ocean among Cozumel's magnificent coral reefs.

• Nightly Mexican fiestas.

• Special activities program for non-divers attending the show.

For more information about Mexico Underwater visit www.mexicounderwater.net.

The island of Cozumel named "The Land of the Swallows" by the Maya who inhabited it more than 2,000 years ago, is located in the state of Quintana Roo, east of the Yucatan Peninsula. Situated along the world's second-largest reef network and home to the famed Palancar Reef, discovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1962, Cozumel boasts a first-class international dive and snorkel reputation. Cozumel has also established itself as a prime golf, honeymoon and family vacation destination. In a Money magazine survey, Cozumel was recognized as a top vacation destination, noted for its diversity, offering something for every traveler, and great vacation value. Visit Cozumel on the World Wide Web at www.islacozumel.com.mx.