CANCUN WANTS TO REMIND ITS VISITORS that they’ll need passports to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico starting Jan. 8. The Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau launched a campaign called “V.I.P Very Important Passport” that will include posters displayed in tourist-related businesses such as hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops during the next three months before the new passport laws take effect. The posters will feature relevant U.S. passport information and the U.S. State Dept. Web address and are designed to resemble the pages of a U.S. passport. The campaign also will include dollar bill-size coupons for merchant discounts featuring the passport reminders. The CVB estimated that half a million coupons will be distributed.

SOL MELIA said it will open Me by Melia hotels in Cancun and Cabo San Lucas as part of its expansion of the new boutique-style brand. The planned Me Cancun and Me Cabo San Lucas (opening dates have not been announced) will feature restaurants and lounges designed by nightlife entrepreneur Rande Gerber, fitness centers, business centers and loft-style rooms with high-end linens and down pillow-top mattresses, wireless Internet access, in-room entertainment systems and luxury toiletries. Sol Melia opened the first hotel in the brand, Me Madrid, earlier this month.

UNITED VACATIONS is offering a 10% discount on packages to Occidental Hotels & Resorts in Mexico. To qualify, packages must be booked by Oct. 31 for travel through Dec. 15, 2007. Three-night packages at the Allegro Playacar in the Riviera Maya start at $424 per person, double, from Washington. All packages include roundtrip air fare and airport transfers. For information or reservations, call (800) 328-6877 or visit www.vaxvacationaccess.com.

THE AZUL BLUE HOTEL AND SPA, the 96-room boutique property scheduled to open next month on the Riviera Maya, launched a Fifth Night Free promotion to kick-start the high season. The promotion is in effect for arrivals between Jan. 1 and 31 (check out by Feb. 5). Guests who stay four nights within this period get the fifth night free; those who stay 10 nights get two nights free. Azul Blue’s suites start at $700 a night, double. For information or reservations, call (866) 527-4762 or visit www.karismahotels.com/azul.

HOPING TO EASE CONGESTION, Cancun Airport rolled out mobile wireless check-in counters designed to streamline the check-in process for boarding passes. According to airport officials, the wireless check-in system can be used by any airline that needs to handle high numbers of check-ins. Cancun Airport has experienced increased congestion in recent years and now handles some 800,000 passengers a month during high season.

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AMRESORTS ended its management and operation of the Secrets Excellence Riviera Cancun, effective Oct. 1. AMResorts’ three brands are Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Future plans for AMResorts’ Secrets brand include a new property in Cancun, the 410-suite Secrets Maroma Riviera Cancun, that will feature a 20,000-square-foot spa, two pools, seven restaurants and six bars. The resort is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007.

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JETBLUE will enter the Mexico market when it launches nonstop service between New York’s Kennedy Airport and Cancun, effective Nov. 30. The daily flights will depart New York at 8:15 a.m. and arrive in Cancun at 11:25 a.m. On the return, flights will depart Cancun at 12:20 p.m. and arrive in New York at 5:05 p.m. The service will be operated aboard an A320 plane. For information or reservations, visit www.jetblue.com or call (800) JETBLUE.

–From Travel Weekly