Where Will You Go? (Part 2 - Tourist "Traps")
We all know what is meant by the expression “Tourist Trap” - a place just crawling with tourists, usually with a bunch of stores selling the same souvenirs, watered down drinks, and so-called authentic experiences. Believe me - I live in Cancun half the year, I know this animal. But here’s the thing - there is a reason people flocked, year after year, to the same places. They do offer a great vacation experience.
This past year and a half has been devastating to these destinations. In most cases they don’t have an alternate industry, a plan B. Resorts and restaurants, markets and parks, all are suffering. The locals are losing work or pay. While it might be alien to Canadians or Americans, locals in these destinations who are fortunate enough to keep their jobs are being told they have to accept pay cuts of 25% or 50%. The alternative is to lose 100% and just go home. For this reason I ask you to consider going back to the traditional tourist destinations.
Me - I love Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. Swimming off Cancun’s beaches, walking 5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen, diving Cozumel’s reefs, touring the ruins at Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba - these are some of my best times on vacation. And you could do all of those things in a one week holiday!
Can you feel the sand in your toes?
No doubt you have memories of past vacations too. Many of us have spent far too much time indoors during this pandemic. If you are able to travel, think of how good it would feel to lay out on the beach, swim in the surf, and take a local tour. Yes, there will be a bunch of other tourists there too - because they are having a good time!
For the scuba divers out there - can you imagine how much the dive shops are hurting? I have some friends in Cozumel, and they support their local dive shop when they can, but these businesses went from having a major stream of revenue all winter to just a trickle. Wouldn’t it feel great to be back on a dive boat, putting on your gear, back rolling into the ocean, and once again floating under the sea?
This is a dive with my favorite shop in Cancun - Scorpio Divers. (CLICK HERE to check them out)
Now, I’m not going to tell you that everything is the same. The experience of travelling is different. Airports, flights, executive lounges - they all feel a little different. (More on that in this blog post - CLICK HERE) But once you get where you are going - that will be very familiar. The staff at most resorts, sites, and shops are so happy to see business starting to return. The sand and surf and reefs and wrecks are as good - maybe even a little better - as you remember. Go back.
Now, if you are looking for a slightly different return to travel, what are your options? More on that in Part 3.
Need new dive gear before you return to the deep? Check out House of Scuba - HERE
And for a slightly different adventure:
