Cancun hotels receive first guests after virus closure

Mexico's Caribbean coast resorts of Cancun and Riviera Maya welcomed ir first tourists on Monday after more than two months of being shut. few dozen tourists who showed up Monday at 41 hotels that are partly reopened are a mere symbolic trickle compared to 23 million that crowded coast last year, bringing with m 15 billion US dollars to local ecomy.

Gibran Chapur, vice-president of Palace resort chain, said his company welcomed about 300 tourists on first day, 70% of m from United States. Chapur said Palace resorts were alrey receiving a lot of reservations for July and vember, and that many were er to get out of lockdown and enjoy outside world again.

Tourism accounts for about half of all ecomic activity in coastal state of Quintana Roo, with its more than 100,000 rooms are usually almost at full occupancy. To date, state has h about 2,235 coronavirus cases and 427 deaths. Chapur said some things will change due to virus, like disinfecting all lugg and shoes; buffets and paper menus at resorts' restaurants are probably a thing of past.