Mexico: A case for good PR

Just got back from a beautiful trip to sunny Mexico! I stayed in a luxury hotel just outside the lovely fishing village of Puerto Morales. For two weeks I enjoyed nothing but eating, swimming, drinking, eating, eating a bit more and, of course, afternoon snacking!

I love everything about Mexico: the people, the weather, the beaches. Oh, did I mention the food? I think I ate my body weight in guacamole!

But what troubles me about this country is the bad publicity this nation is generating with the media. Oh, the blasted one-sided media! Yes, there are some serious problems in Mexico, thanks in large part to the insatiable U.S. appetite for drugs, which unfortunately travel up through Mexico. The Mexican drug cartels and the violence associated with them are ruining this country’s brand image on a global scale.

I was researching my trip prior to leaving and I was inundated by the amount of cautionary tales about travelling to Mexico. There are tons of travel warnings issued by the Canadian and US governments. Now if you think on taking a family vacation to Juarez or Tijuana, well, amigo, think again. This is probably the area you want to avoid at all costs. But the beautiful state of Quintana Roo, where you will find the glorious beaches of Playa de Carmen and Cancun, are a beach traveller’s dream and far away from any cartel gun warfare -- at least where tourists are concerned. I’ve been to Mexico 15 times, and not once have I seen tourists in the middle of gun fire. I’ve been ripped off on price when haggling for silver jewellery in the street market, but that’s about it! I really wish the media would put this story in better perspective. Cancun City is more like Daytona Beach than the Gaza Strip as the media would have you believe.

There have been a few stories about tourists who have had some trouble in Mexico and all I can say is don’t go acting like a drunken jackass at three o’clock in the morning in the pueblo and you’ll be okay. I wouldn’t act crazy in the streets of Toronto – so why would you do it in another country?

If the Mexican tourist board in Canada needs a little help dispelling the misconceptions of Mexico, I’m here to help. Call me. I don’t even want any money for it. Just keep the guacamole flowing my way.

Adios.

Back to schlock TV

Well, I’m back from vacation … tanned, rested and definitely fatter! Two weeks of those all-inclusive all-you-can-eat joints are bad for the waistline. But hey, one week on a wicked cleansing diet (where's that cayenne pepper and syrup hiding?) and I will be back in my skinny jeans in no time!

The thought of jumping into my very own comfy bed is one of the greatest pleasures about the return flight home. The second best has to be just ordinary English-language television. I mean, after the second night in Mexico those Spanish reruns of 90210 and Melrose Place just didn’t do it for me anymore. The FOX cable station came in loud and clear in our hotel room ... and the worst part was that I think I actually enjoyed the The O’Reilly Factor. Yikes!

Now, back in T.O. and looking at the news headlines, it seems that I didn’t miss much. Still no verdict in the “Who’s Your Daddy?” fiasco with Anna Nicole. The non-talent Sanjaya is still trying to find his voice on American Idol. And a one-legged, gold digger made it onto Dancing with the Has-Beens. Yup, I definitely did not miss anything of value in the area of garbage TV.

But one sad bit of news I returned to was the announcement from Democratic presidential hopeful Senator John Edwards, whose wife Elizabeth is now in Stage IV of incurable breast cancer. The press conference I watched on CNN was illuminating in many ways. This family, which has been through a tidal wave of tough times before, handled this terrible news with such dignity and grace. Their openness and candour in front of the cameras was so genuine and beautifully handled. This is one brave lady. For those of us who coach our clients on media preparedness, this is a great example of how to manage the media, remain poised and stay on message no matter how tough the subject matter. I wish them both well. They are a remarkable couple.

Now, back to more schlock reality TV for me...ah, it's great to be home!

My Last Blog . . .

Well, this will be my last blog for the next few weeks … I’m going on vacation! Sans Blackberry or mobile phone I will be free of the electronic trappings that keep me continuously tied to the business. Yes, for two solid weeks I will be vacationing with my family in sunny Mexico with a good book (The Secret – I caved, I bought a book full of common sense thinking), a few bikinis … and a bullet-proof vest ..!

Kidding aside, Mexico is my favorite travel destination for relaxing and soaking up the sand and sun. Besides the incredible weather and vistas, it’s the locals of Mexico who are the most hospitable people on the planet. The resort we go to is small and quaint and my daughter feels right at home there (this will be her third time in Mexico and she is only six). She wants to know why we don’t live there all year round? Ummmm … with the cold snap in Toronto this week, I wonder about that too.

Completely disconnecting from the office is almost unheard of for me, so this annual pilgrimage is such a welcome release from the day–to-day management of the office. I realized lately how mentally tethered I am to my business. I have a wireless connection at home with three computers: a 24/7 connection to our company files and remote email; a Blackberry that has a permanent placeholder on my hip (my PJs have a holster for that puppy, too); and, a mobile phone that serves as a heat-seeking device in my handbag.

So when I vacation, I truly unplug the batteries. I can’t imagine taking a laptop and blogging from there! Sorry, folks, but the caipirinhas will make me incoherent anyway. (I don't drink mojitos!)

This blog will go dormant for a bit, kind of like the blog for the Canadian Council of Public Relations Firms … Ouch. I know, bit of a dig. But c’mon, what’s up with that thing? Talk about crickets chirping on that site. Where, oh, where is the wisdom from the old PR sages?

Upon my return, I’ll be more refreshed, revitalized, full of inspirational prose courtesy of The Secret. Oh ... and less caustic than usual … or maybe not.

Adios, Amigos! Vamos a la playa. See you all soon!