Cancun is a far more popular destination. There are multitudes more hotel rooms and non-stop flights from airports all over the world. Once the traveler arrives, they spend more money on many of the exact things Zihua doesn't have and doesn't want: booze, discotheques, shows. The government makes more money on that than they do on folks walking the beach or hanging around the basketball court on a Sunday night. The airlines can fill flights on big aircraft and turn them around quicker and easier.

Zihua bills itself as something entirely different than Cancun. From Rob's webpage, "Zihuatanejo's main attraction is its well-protected bay where travelling boaters often spend the winter months moored in its peaceful clear waters. The bay offers various beaches for relaxation, recreation, dining, or simply enjoying the abundantly beautiful scenery and laid-back local lifestyle." Not exactly the review that's going to bring in throngs of folks. And if throngs came, it would no longer be Zihua.

Heck, if Zihuatanejo's hotels were generally at full capacity, more would be built, but where? Tear out all the small hotels and put up Cancun style highrises? I don't think so!

Not a heck of a lot different than wondering why it costs more to travel to Santa Barbara, CA than it does to Las Vegas.

Something else is in play. And whatever it is, some of it can be spread Zihuatanejo's way, or so I think.

Would that I had had parents who ever ventured from the great Midwest but we all got to Zihuatanejo whenever. Some sooner, some later and, God willing, some this winter.

And had I gone to PV or some lesser known Caribbean island, we would not have met. All because of a travel agent, Frommer's an Rob's board. Karma, sister.

I remember the days of the Captains Table restaurant that seated about 65, having a 50 or 60 person waiting list and they were all crammed into the bar upstairs. That is accurate...not something I read somewhere. Zihua was booming and there were people everywhere.

It was only in the past 8 or so years that things started slowing and the last 4 or 5 that they have gotten really sad. I may be a little off on the years but they are approximately. Something has to be done.

I remember, long ago, when you would see information about Zihuatanejo in magazines. Then when I moved to Alaska almost every year when I flew there would be a story about Zihua or Ixtapa in the Alaska Airlines magazine.

Whoever is responsible for advertisement for Zihua, like someone said, should be fired. There is no excuse for what is happening to the friends and places we love. Word of mouth is a wonderful way of advertisement but it will not save the day. Zihuatanejo needs a 1st rate campaign to get people to come and fall in love, like all of us reading and posting on this board did, with this lovely place.

Thanks to Rob for this board and what he does for the good of Zihua. There should be more.

I hope no one misunderstands my post. We are in year, maybe, 25. I wish nothing would change in Zihuatanejo but it isn't about me. Zihuatanejo is not a museum frozen in time for my pleasure. Change happens. We are responsible for a goodly number of word-of-mouths. The latest being my brother-in-law and his wife from South Dakota who promise to bring their friends from South Dakota. Maybe. It could happen.

But I also came the first time because I liked the sound of Zihuatanejo, I picked it out of a Frommer's guide, Sotavento sounded like perfection, and I got a good package into Ixtapa. Into Ixtapa ecause my travel agent (remember them) thought Sotavento where I wanted to go, was, for some reason, unsuitable. I will not bore you with her reasoning but it was, in retrospect, amusing. Of course, we went to Sotavento the next year without the help of a travel agent. And the next year, we shifted to Catalina and the other 23 years are history.

But had the travel agent not gotten us a package into Ixtapa, instead of Puerto Vallarta, who knows. In this era, Internet promotions, like the Travelzoo site, are the new travel agents and it isn't good if Ixtapa packages are not in the mix.

I don't think that it's a good thing that all the first-time folks get invited to other beaches. I want Zihuatanejo to attract the next generation of visitors. Otherwise, Catalina (where I feel like home) and all the restaurants and people I like so much may not thrive.

I think I'm too old to be next generation but we're hoping to take the kids there next winter and I'm sure they'll fall in love with it too. We debated on going somewhere new, like I'm sure many people do, but decided that we shouldn't mess with a good thing. It's been so long since our first trip and can't wait to go back. We're brining first timers with us too.

I agree, you want it to stay special and quaint but also want it to thrive.

I didn't realize you've been visiting Zihua for 25 years. Great taste.

I see iIxapa featured on some sites with sales for AIs. Bookit.com has some good deals and feature Ixtapa on the front page.

But I also came the first time because I liked the sound of Zihuatanejo, I picked it out of a Frommer's guide, Sotavento sounded like perfection, and I got a good package into Ixtapa. Into Ixtapa ecause my travel agent (remember them) thought Sotavento where I wanted to go, was, for some reason, unsuitable. I will not bore you with her reasoning but it was, in retrospect, amusing. Of course, we went to Sotavento the next year without the help of a travel agent. And the next year, we shifted to Catalina and the other 23 years are history.

But had the travel agent not gotten us a package into Ixtapa, instead of Puerto Vallarta, who knows. In this era, Internet promotions, like the Travelzoo site, are the new travel agents and it isn't good if Ixtapa packages are not in the mix.

I don't think that it's a good thing that all the first-time folks get invited to other beaches. I want Zihuatanejo to attract the next generation of visitors. Otherwise, Catalina (where I feel like home) and all the restaurants and people I like so much may not thrive.

We in Michigan and Northern Wisconsin have been coming to both Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo since the late 1990's. Our numbers are not huge but our loyalties to both places are unwavering. We have visited other Mexican Venues but always return to Ix/Zih. Our biggest angst is getting affordable air rates. While we continue to promote the area the bigger markets attract the flight and deals that follow. That being said, we will continue to visit here and continue to promote it to our immediate families and friends. While it is trying to get the perfect deals and prices, it is a pleasure to enjoy the relative quiet and laid back style in Ix/ Zih. To over advertise and attract the Big Venue tourist trade will change what is treasured. By promoting the area by it's loyal visitors may not be the best way to get cash influx, we can make a difference by continuing to spend our $ thousands and increase our visitation rates by educating our contacts on the value of the experience VS the value of the price! Thanks for listening

Folks like you are our BEST advertising!!!

Thank you VERY much!

The article talks about "deals at Mexico beach regions, including Rivera Maya, Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel". It cuts "ample flights from cities across the US to...popular resort towns". No mention of Ixtapa although the article was promoting all-inclusives as a good option for summer travel.

While I was killing a bit of time waiting for my clothes washer to finish, I checked the Travelzoo link. Perhaps Ixtapa was mentioned in the Travelzoo piece just not in the Tribune (since Chicago does not seem to promote ZIH as a preferred destination these days). But no. Not one Ixtapa property mentioned. And definitely none in Zihuatanejo.

I take this oversight with mixed feelings. Personally, I am not that interested in seeing the Zihuatanejo area become Los Cabos or Riviera Maya. But I get that Zihuatanejo does not remain frozen in time to suit me and in terms of the economic health of the area, a little promotion would not be a bad thing.

Are Ixtapa AI's all booked to capacity for the summer? Perhaps that's the explanation. Perhaps they don't need US travelers, at least in the summer. Whatever the reason, I found this latest omission a bit discouraging.