Travel Roundup: Cancun Distances Itself, MGM Mirage's Financial Help, Travel Industry's New Campaign and More

(MoneyWatch)  Cancun decides not to mention it's in Mexico -- With recent U.S. State Department warnings about drug violence in Mexico making tourists jittery, its biggest resort town has decided not to mention it's in Mexico. Instead, Cancun will highlight its beaches, which have been relatively free of any violence. Hotels are expected to house 1 million foreign and Mexican visitors during spring break, with the largest number of foreigners/Americans hailing from California. [Source: Los Angeles Times]

MGM Mirage appoints financial adviser -- MGM Mirage appointed Evercore Partners, a small investment bank, as an adviser while it works on restructuring debt and finances. The casino operator, which owns the Bellagio and Mirage casinos, warned this week it may default and is seeking to ease its debt covenants. The company, burdened with about $2 billion in bonds coming due in the next two years, also must come up $1.2 billion to finish its beleaguered CityCenter project. [Source: Financial Times]

Travel industry launches "Meetings Mean Business" campaign -- The U.S. Travel Association launched its "Meetings Mean Business" national campaign in hopes of stopping the mass business event cancellations around the country because of government and media criticism. The group is fighting the "AIG effect," referring to a lavish do at a luxury resort for AIG executives a few days after receiving government bailout money -- which has caused many businesses to forgo conventions. [Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Starwood hooks up with cruises -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts is attempting to be the launching and crash pad for cruisers. The hotel, hoping to garner the pre- and post-cruise passenger market, is offering travel agents a 10 percent commission on bookings. The company is also adding breakfasts and lower rates, with some restrictions. To sweeten the pot, Starwood is also offering a sweepstakes where agents can win up to 1 million of the company's Starpoints. [Source: Travel Agent Central]