After last year’s Associated Student Government-organized Spring Break trip to the Bahamas attracted only 12 students, group leaders said they are announcing today this March’s trip — to Acapulco, Mexico.
ASG President Rachel Lopez said ASG hopes about 200 students will attend the trip this year.
Students will be able to sign up for the trip beginning Tuesday, said Joel Richlin, public relations chairman.
Lopez said she expects more students to attend the trip this year because ASG is providing students with more choices than in the past. Students can select one of five hotels as well as several inclusive packages that provide food for the entire week.
“We’re not prepackaging a trip, we’re just facilitating the harder stuff,” said Lopez, a Weinberg senior. “We’re making it easy for students and still giving them options.”
Trip packages span a wide price range. Packages include hotels with three- to five-star ratings and include discounts for students willing to share a room with more than one person.
Prices start at $739 for a standard four-person room at the Casa Inn and go up to $1,249 for an all-inclusive, double-occupancy room at the Hotel Copacabana.
ASG also is providing a rebate to students who sign up in groups of 10 or 20 people. A party of 10 will receive a $400 rebate; a group of 20 will get $900 back.
“(Student Travel Services) gives us a rebate if we send more people, so we’re just passing it on to the students,” said Richlin, a Weinberg senior.
ASG is organizing the trip through the student travel company, which offers additional food and drink packages to students.
The party package, which includes access to an open bar and nightclubs, costs an additional $139, Lopez said.
Although prices seem comparable to last year’s trip, Richlin said he quoted only final prices in the advertisements so students will know the exact amount that they will be paying.
“Prices may seem similar to last year and more expensive than travel agencies, but this includes all extra fees,” Richlin said. “When you see $739, you’re paying $739.”
Richlin said he chose the western Mexico resort town because it is better-maintained than most Spring Break locations in the same price range.
“(Acapulco) has a great nightlife,” Richlin said. “It’s not much more expensive but is much nicer than most Spring Break destinations.”
Spots on the trip are guaranteed to every interested student who signs up before Feb. 10, Richlin said. But he said there should be space available for all students who wish to go on the trip.
Some students said the options are more expensive than they are willing to pay, but others said ASG chose a good location at a fair price.
“People are definitely looking to go to Acapulco and Cancun,” said Ahmed Wahla, a Weinberg sophomore. “Plus, it’s organized and not a bad price.”
