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In a visit to Cancun, Fox bid farewell to departing tourists with the words "see you again soon," and then turned his attention to the suffering local population, asking hotel owners not to lay off Cancun residents who rely on tourism for their livelihood.

"I'm asking you for zero unemployment," Fox said in a meeting with hotel operators. "I'm asking you not to fire anyone, to keep them in their regular positions or use them in rebuilding."

The Mexican insurance association said on Thursday that Wilma is expected to have caused more insured damage than 1988's Hurricane Gilbert, which resulted in payments of US1.2 billion to policy holders on the Yucatan peninsula.

"Obviously, Wilma is possibly the biggest catastrophe we've ever had in the Mexican insurance sector," said Rolando Vega, the association's president.

The resort area's islands famous for their diving and snorkeling bore the brunt of the storm, with extensive damage to reefs and residents complaining of water shortages.

A U.S. cruise ship was sent Thursday to the island of Cozumel to deliver aid and pick up any remaining stranded Americans, but most tourists appeared to have left the islands. Even in Cancun, lines at makeshift airline ticket counters had nearly vanished, and there were only a few visitors enjoying the sun before heading home.

Fox said that about US500 million in rebuilding loans would be available from various sources private banks and international financing organizations as well as tax breaks for local businesses.

He said Mexico plans to have 80 percent of the resort area up and running by Dec. 15, and the U.S. Embassy announced an extra US300,000 in aid for Wilma's victims.

"The recent natural disasters that have devastated parts of the United States and Mexico strengthened the cooperation and determination of our countries and governments to work together," said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza.

Yet, despite the signs of progress, many residents were left behind. On Isla Mujeres, people complained of limited access to drinking water and homes destroyed by high winds, waves and flooding.