CANCUN, MEXICO Addressing a room filled with press from both the U.S. and Mexico, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO of Carlson Companies, said that she feels business travel to Mexico will increase, thanks to the new presidential administration in the United States.
Because President Bush has historically been close to Mexico, and has a strong relationship with Vincente Fox, president of Mexico, business and leisure travel are likely to increase to the country, said Nelson, speaking at the Carlson Hotels Worldwide 2001 Annual Meeting held here.
The increase in the number of travelers to Mexico means that Carlson will build more hotels here, said Nelson.
“We have six hotels and resorts now, and we are going to add five Country Inns & Suites.” Nelson added that those properties would be built at the rate of one a year, for the next five years with local partner GC Consortia Group.
“We are looking for more partners,” said Nelson of further international expansion. “Our style is to partner with people inside the country who know the laws.”
Nelson offered one caveat to further Mexico development, however. “We have concerns Mexico must continue to work on safety and security because it has so much opportunity ahead” to lure more business and leisure travelers.”But we must be able to tell them they will be safe. This is a problem we must work on together.”
Mexico could also benefit from the visitors Europe may lose due to fears of foot-and-mouth disease, she added. “Many travelers are cancelling their travel to Europe this summer,” she said. (4/3/01) Ruthanne Terrero