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Travel agencies that specialize in package vacations to Cancun and the Riviera Maya have announced a forward-thinking initiative to help combat fraud related to cultural and recreational tour activities.
These Mexican-based travel agencies are working in partnership with over 1,400 American, Canadian, and European travel agencies and are rolling out new vacation packages that don’t just include flights and accommodation but also many of the hottest activities in the destination.
What This Will Fix
Those who regularly travel abroad will be aware that the tourism industry can attract a huge variety of fraudulent schemes. In Europe, this is usually in the form of petty crimes such as pick-pocketing and street scams.
But in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the schemes are much more convincing and official at first glance.
These fraudsters prey on visitors’ excitement to enjoy the wealth of cultural and recreational activities in the area, with everything from Chichen Itza to Isla Mujeres day trips being used as bait. As well as a wide variety of other popular attractions.
Some of these companies do, in fact, provide the tour they’re advertising, but at rates hugely inflated compared to the average, but even more troublesome is the completely fake companies advertising these tours.
They go to great lengths to maintain a trustworthy outward appearance, with modern and sleek websites that paint the right picture to earn travelers’ confidence.
It is no small crime to prey on the trusting nature of tourists. Going abroad can bring many new experiences, and many travelers will let things slide that would normally ring alarm bells due to the belief that “things are done differently” in other countries.
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What This Initiative Delivers
First and most important is that these tours and activities that are to be included in vacation packages will be provided by vetted and trusted companies, adding a bulletproof layer of certainty to travelers’ vacation plans.
Furthermore, worries about payment and the chances of credit card fraud become a thing of the past. Now tourists will receive the extra level of safety that dealing with their preferred and trusted travel agency brings.
On top of this, the opportunity for superb deals becomes a bigger reality, with travel agencies and their local partners being able to negotiate more favorable prices from tour and activity operators for their customers.
The Timeline
These unwelcome scams aren’t new to Cancun and the Riviera Maya; they’ve been growing steadily for several years now. But that doesn’t mean the tourism industry has been sitting on their hands.
Originally this initiative was planned pre-pandemic, but with the huge drop in package vacations being sold to the area, the idea was put on hold while more urgent issues were addressed.
Now though, the plan is in full swing and expected to play a huge part in the future of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Setting a new standard for destinations throughout the Caribbean.
Exactly when these new vacation packages will be available to the public hasn’t been announced, although the situation is moving fast, and it’s safe to assume the industry wants to make the most of the upcoming summer season.
Why They’re Acting
It’s easy to assume this is purely a commercial venture on the part of travel agencies to better capture more of the market. But this is much bigger than private companies making a few extra bucks.
Cancun is a young city. It was once home to a small fishing village with just a handful of residents. Now it is a huge destination that people from all over the world choose for their well-deserved vacations.
The city, the people, the businesses, and even the state of Quintana Roo all rely on tourism. This reliance isn’t received negatively; it has given a stable livelihood to thousands of people. And the local government, as well as private enterprises, recognize this.
This is another shining example of the positive and forward-thinking treatment travelers can expect from the beautiful city of Cancun and its Riviera Maya neighbors.
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