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| Puerto Vallarta |
| March, 2005 |
- Archeological Cuale Museum - A New Life
- Important acknowledgements of the hotel industry of Puerto Vallarta
- National and International Promotion
- Increase in Passengers
- National Promotion Campaign
- Public Relations
- Gala Vallarta
- Champion Sailor Shelly Ward Joins Coming About Faculty
- CUCoast and Velas Vallarta Hotel Sign Agreement
- Puerto Vallarta Hotels Commended
- Mexicana Airlines Awarded "The Best Airline in Mexico and Latin America " for the Seventh Time.
- Aeromexico Voted "Best Airline to Mexico " by Readers of Global Traveler Magazine.
- Aeromexico Voted "Best Airline to Mexico " by Readers of Global Traveler Magazine.
- Westin Hotels Bets Big On Hotel Gyms
Archeological Cuale Museum - A New Life
Since the month of December the Archeological River Cuale Museum, now under the guardianship of the National Institute of Anthropology, opened its doors in a renovated building that stands out as a very special space on the Island of the Cuale River.
 The purpose of the museum is to offer a panorama of the diverse human groups that lived in the Western part of Mexico, before the arrival of the Spaniards. It is an extensive cultural area which includes today's Puerto Vallarta.
The study of the archeologists distinguishes the area of the Western part for the skills of the pottery maker, as well as for the communication which facilitated the commercial and cultural interchange between the inhabitants along the Pacific coast. This area also stands out due to its rich funeral tradition called "tumbas de tiro" which has been spread world-wide. The museum shows excellent examples of the cultural diversity of the area.
The pieces which are presently exhibited in the museum are the inheritance and testimony of the ancient inhabitants whose study is permitting the reconstruction of part of our history and culture.
Welcome to the new life of the Archeological River Cuale Museum, a space of time where our roots are shown without masks within sight of everyone who is interested in knowing and understanding with a little bit more depth the origin of our lives and traditions.
The entrance of the museum is free and it is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 10am to 7pm.
Important acknowledgements of the hotel industry of Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. - One more time Puerto Vallarta has been acknowledged by the judges of the international tourist industry through different recognitions of various hotels of this destination which have fulfilled demanding quality standards. The first of theses prizes was awarded in the form of a distinctive plaque by the magazine Conde Nast Johansens, specializing in international tourism, recognizing the excellent quality in the infrastructure and services of the Quinta Real Hotel Puerto Vallarta, and it has been chosen as one of the hotels recommendable to its readers and travelers in their 2005 edition within the region of North America, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico. On the other hand the Velas Valllarta hotel passed the benchmarking with satisfaction. This is a strict process which analyzes the consumption, the handling and care of energy resources and water and it allows the hotel to pioneer the Green Globe certification which is the system of affiliation, standardization, certification and improvement of the environment for a sustainable tourism based on the Agenda 21.
Conde Nast Johansens is an international publication specializing in tourism which has its base in London, England, with offices in different regions of the world. It is directed towards a market of high income readers throughout the globe. Every year this publication only selects a few of the best properties in approximately 39 countries that fulfill the standards of excellence in order to be recommended in their guide and publication for holiday or business trips.
The Green Globe certification is an investment that gives an added value to any company since it propels tourism as a sustainable and responsible economic activity, moreover it promotes cost reduction in the companies, it improves the position in the international tourist market and it increases growth opportunities attracting consumers with an ecological conscience. The development of a sustainable tourism on a world-wide level is a powerful instrument for increasing the benefits of the tourist resources in the communities, keeping a cultural and environmental integrity.
With these acknowledgements Puerto Vallarta continues to position itself in the priority of the international markets, as a quality destination that offers an excellent infrastructure of services and an incomparable natural beauty to its visitors, combined with the friendliness of its people, its picturesque downtown and the diversity of its tourist products.
Source: Fideicomiso de Puerto Vallarta
National and International Promotion
During the press conference held by the Fideicomiso of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta, it was announced that Puerto Vallarta will be present in the majority of the most important events of the national and international tourist sector, including the prinicpal markets of tourism producers towards the destination. This is within the program of promotion in which 90% of the calendar of events and tourist fairs that will be attended, is already defined. Up to now there is a little over 100 trips this year, hoping to add to the calendar those trips that will be carried out together with the program Aeromexico Leisure, which could give us a total of more than 150 events, a number that is very similar to the one presented in 2004 with 149 trips.
It may be mentioned that the promotion in the national as well as in the international market has already begun since the month of January with great results, carrying out up to now 13 trips, 9 of which have been national trips to the cities of Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, León, Morelia, Guadalajara, México City, Monterrey and Tijuana.
The participation of Puerto Vallarta in the fair of FITUR in Madrid, Spain stands out in the international trips where good results have been achieved generating interest in tour operators and airlines from the old continent towards this tourist destination. On the other hand Vallarta also participated in the L.A. Times Travel Show, which is an important event organized by one of the most prestigious newspapers in the United States of America. It is directed in great part towards the end consumer, carried out in the number one city generating tourism towards our destination, Los Angeles, California. In addition an event in the city of Dallas, Texas was attended organized by America West and another one in Costa Mesa, California which was organized by Travelocity, one of the most important online reservation agencies.
During the month of February Vallarta attended another of the most important world-wide tourist fairs, the BIT in Milan, Italy as well as a tour through various Canadian cities, as well as Chicago, San Diego and Raleigh. Concerning the national market, Vallarta will be present in Hermosillo and Tijuana together with SETUJAL.
Source: Fideicomiso de Puerto Vallarta
Increase in Passengers
During the press conference held by the Fideicomiso of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta, it was announced that during the period from January to December 2004, the arrival at our destination of passengers on commercial flights has increased an average of 31 % in respect to the same period of the previous year. This is what the numbers of the airlines show. In 2004 they generally had an important break in the principal markets of the American Union which means that approximately 278, 477 more passengers arrived at Puerto Vallarta, taking into consideration that 892, 789 passengers arrived by plane between January and December of 2003 against 1'171,236 passengers that arrived in 2004 during the same period.
This tendency increased during last year each time that new commercial flights started to fly to Puerto Vallarta during the last months, causing an important increase in 2004 compared to 2003.
Source: Fideicomiso de Puerto Vallarta
National Promotion Campaign
The National promotion campaign carried out by the Fideicomiso of Tourism for 2005 will be focused on promoting what Puerto Vallarta has to offer as a tourist destination in the principal markets before the summer season.
In this campaign which will be managed by the agency Saiffe Promotion six million Pesos will be invested by the destination. In addition Vallarta will look to double this sum with resources from the CPTM. The national campaign will be present in approximately 10 cities of the country and it is planned to be on air approximately 12 weeks concentrating on the months from May to July. The art of this campaign will be reviewed and submitted to approval the following 17th of February during the meeting of the Technical Committee of FIDETUR.
Source: Fideicomiso de Puerto Vallarta
Public Relations
 During the press conference held by the Fideicomiso of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta, it was announced by Mr. Alberto Márquez de la Garza, Manager of the Communications and Public Relations Department of the Conventions and Visitors Bureau that within the program of Public Relations of the Fideocomiso of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta there is a mission to carry out actions of promoting the destination through the elaboration and the execution of programs that permit to position the trademark of Puerto Vallarta through creating a synergy between the actions of the national and international promotion campaign, the promotional trips, the generation of visits of the media, public relations programs with national and international agencies, logistics of events and festivals, promoting and attending personalities and stars in the destination and press conferences in the prinicpal markets. All of this will develop a scheme of appointments and coordination between the main organisms and entities. Therefore a calendar will be developed that will serve as a spinal column of all the promotional activities of Puerto Vallarta. The organisms will add their events and actions in order to integrate a sole tool which will be up-dated every week.
Within the program of attention and press tours of the destination, a growing interest has been generated in the national as well as the international mass media to write articles, to record programs and commercials and to develop film projects. In this sense Puerto Vallarta has received so far this year important publications from the United States, Canada and Mexico, i.e. Interval World Magazine, a magazine that has a circulation of approximately 1'000,000 examples, as well as the Canadian World Traveler, Mr. Google Eye, a Canadian television program, in addition the Italian television will be recording in the city during the next few days, the magazine Esposa Joven will carry out articles for a section of weddings, there are proposals by TV Azteca which are analyzed to record a new program called The Trip with the participation of international models and Televisa has plans for a soap opera called Rebel.
Puerto Vallarta continues to position itself through important events such as those that will be carried out in the destination like the International Marina del Rey Regatta that will take place from the 24th to the 27th of February on the coasts of the Bay after having had a long journey from San Diego. This month also the National Charro (Mexican Cowboy) Tournament will take place, as well as a Motorcycle tournament and the monthly regatta of the Capri Series.
Source: Fideicomiso de Puerto Vallarta
Gala Vallarta
One of the most important events of the tourist industry of Puerto Vallarta is without any doubt Gala Vallarta, which is an event where national and international wholesalers and operators meet with the hotel business of Vallarta in order to carry out pre-established business appointments commercializing the hotel offer of the season. During this event the Convention and Visitors Bureau functions as a link between the parts, programming the notebooks in accordance with a hotel list mailed in advance and the selection made by the wholesalers. This year, the event is in its 13th edition and takes place from April 3rd to 5th in the business center of the Jalisco lounge of the NH Krystal Hotel. Approximately 70 national as well as international wholesalers have been invited to this edition, 47% of which come from the United States, 38% of which come from Mexico and 8% from Canada .
Source: Fideicomiso de Puerto Vallarta
Champion Sailor Shelly Ward Joins Coming About Faculty
PROVIDED BY AMBITO
 "Coming About" director Pat Henry has announced the appointment of Shelly Ward to the school's all-women sailing faculty. With a lifetime of sailing, racing, teaching, and selling and delivering boats Shelly brings an impressive array of credits and experience to the school's programs.
In 1985 - 1987, Shelly made her mark racing for the Old Dominion University sailing team, which included several future Olympic medalists. She and her teammates won the Women's Collegiate National Championship in 1987. After moving to San Diego in 1991, Shelly taught in the San Diego Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program. Some of her proteges went on to become collegiate champions themselves.
While living in Southern California Shelly raced with the Ancient Mariner Sailing Society and Wooden Hull Yacht Club and participated in numerous regattas throughout the area. Crewing with such champions as Carl Eichenlaub, Mark and Jay Butler, and Betty Eichenlaub Sherman (slated to become the first woman commodore for the San Diego Yacht Club in 2006), to name a few, further enhanced Shelly's racing expertise.
With her appointment at Coming About Shelly will be directing the school's Racing Clinic set for March 7 - 15, to coincide with the annual Banderas Bay Regatta. She is designing a program for women who sail, but who are new to racing or who want to develop their racing skills in a supportive environment. The class will study tactics, strategy, team building, racing rules and work on techniques and maneuvers in preparation for the regatta. The course includes racing in the regatta and joining the festivities that follow each day's competition.
The Banderas Bay Regatta, which is now in its thirteenth year, began as a gathering of cruising boats for some friendly racing and is now the major sailing event on the West Coast of Mexico drawing 40-60 boats each year.
With good reviews from the sailing media in the US, interest continues to grow. "We don't know of a better venue or sailing conditions for a cruisers regatta" (Latitude 38, May 2000). "Ideal weather... breathtaking landscape... the perfect recipe for an unforgettable regatta." (Cruising World, Sept. 2000).
The calendar of events for the regatta includes three days of racing beginning on Sunday, March 13, with the traditional boat parade. Saturday evening kicks off the social calendar with a welcoming cocktail party and folkloric dance show at Paradise Village . Puerto Vallarta Yacht Club will host an open house on both Sunday and Monday evenings. Following the thrill of the final race on Tuesday, March 15, the festivities will end with an awards banquet.
For more information see the Coming About website at http://www.coming-about.com or contact Pat Henry at 222-4119.
Source: Ambito Puerto Vallarta Weekly Newspaper
CUCoast and Velas Vallarta Hotel Sign Agreement
PROVIDED BY AMBITO
 "The decision to sign a collaboration agreement by a private company like Velas Hotel and the Coastal University Center (CUC) makes it evident that private enterprise is not foreign to social responsibility, and the public does not ignore entrepreneurial quality" Coastal University Center Rector Javier Orozco Alvarado said after the signing ceremony last February 10.
With the start of the "Management of Success" certificate course taught by University of Guadalajara's CUC professors, the head of the university Puerto Vallarta campus said that establishing a strategic alliance with one of the most successful companies of the municipality makes it possible to contribute to the development of hotel industry and the personnel it employs. "It is of great interest to our educational institution to offer training, updating programs for the personnel of corporations in our environment, particularly those seeking continuous quality and international certification of their processes."
Orozco Alvarado commented how ten years after the establishing of the CUC in the Bahia de Banderas Region, it has been able to keep its pledges to join in the efforts and enthusiasm of society and businessmen to develop the region. "In the market of goods and services companies must be ready to face the challenges of future, a future that will demand efficient planning, administrative performance and growing quality in all processes."
Addressing hotel employees, special guests and CUC personnel, the representative of Velas Vallarta, Juan Vela Ruiz, said he was very pleased by coming close to the university and to signing an agreement that will guarantee integral training of Grupo Velas' personnel one of the most important companies that came into this tourist destination over 15 years ago.
 In turn, Luis Angarita Mayorga, General Director of Velas Vallarta Hotel said the agreement is a milestone that shows the community and investors that business success means not only getting there but keeping it. "During the last few years, continuous training has been most important, for all hotel employees and executives as well, this is why our directors are very excited about the certificate course."
He said that the agreement will be current for two years and all personnel from all three levels, base employees, supervisors and executives will be certified to create a real synergy. "Who better than the University of Guadalajara to endorse this training in such an important process!" In closing he said that Velas Group is a 100% Mexican company, created by two businessmen who believed in Puerto Vallarta 17 years ago, and believe in the potential of the tourist destination and continue to invest here because they believe in Mexico . "We believe in the University of Guadalajara, in young scholars, that's why we take action along with the university, because in the long run we will grow with them, hence we share a vision, in the University of Guadalajara there are people with a vision who support Vallart a"
Source: Ambito Puerto Vallarta Weekly Newspaper
Puerto Vallarta Hotels Commended
PROVIDED BY AMBITO
Once more, industry experts on the international tourist scene have recognized Puerto Vallarta , by rewarding hotels in the destination for having met high quality standards. The first of them all is the award plate awarded by specialized magazine Conde Nast Johansens to Quinta Real Hotel for excellence in quality and facilities, thus including it in the list of reader-recommended hotels of the 2005 edition in North America, the Caribbean and Mexico.
 On the other hand, the Velas Vallarta Hotel satisfactorily passed the Benchmarking, a strict procedure that evaluates the consumption, management and care of rnergy and water resources, allowing the hotel to commence the Green Globe certification process, which is the environment improvement affiliation, standardization, certification for sustainable tourism, based on the 21 Agenda.
Conmde Nast is a London-based, tourist-specialized international publication, with offices around the world, aimed at a high buying power market. This publication selects only some of the best properties in 39 countries around the world, which meet the standards of excellence to be recommended by its travel guide.
The Green Globe certification is an investment that brings added value to any company, since it promotes tourism as a sustainable, responsible economic activity, besides promoting cost reduction for businesses, improving their position in the international tourist market and to increase their growth opportunities by attracting ecologically conscious consumers. Development of sustainable tourism on a world level is a powerful instrument to increase the benefits of tourist resources in communities, maintaining cultural integrity as well as the environment.
With these commendations, Puerto Vallarta continues to position itself in the preferences of the international markets as a quality destination, which offers its visitors excellent service infrastructure and unmatchable natural beauty, along with the warmth of its people and a diversity of tourist products.
Source: Ambito Puerto Vallarta Weekly Newspaper
Mexicana Airlines Awarded "The Best Airline in Mexico and Latin America " for the Seventh Time.
PROVIDED BY AMBITO
Mexicana receives this important recognition in the 11th edition of the World Travels Awards. Over 1.8 million tourism professionals from more than 200 countries voted in a gala dinner on occasion of the 11th edition of the Annual World Travel Awards in the island of Barbados, Mexicana Airlines, the airline with the most modern air fleet in the world, received its seventh consecutive nomination as "The best Airline in México and Latin America".
Mexicana was elected by thousands of travel agents from all over the world. The nomination is based on excellence in service, comfort and personalized attention.
The World Travel Award established in 1993, is regarded as the only award at global level that recognizes excellence in the international travel industry. Travelers and travel agents have positioned this award as the most sought after recognition that anyone in the tourism and travel industry can receive. Voting is done via Internet (www.worldtravelawards.com). This year over 1.8 million votes from travel and tourism professionals were registered.
Mexicana Airlines is a consistent recipient of awards and recognitions that reward the continued efforts to provide the best customer service and warranties of safety, comfort and added value services for more than XX million passengers Mexicana service every year.
"We are extremely happy for this nomination; it is doubtless a testament to our people's continued effort to better serve our clients and travelers. Mexicana remains committed, after 84 years in business, to offer the best service using the most modern fleet in the world" said Emilio Romano, President and CEO of Mexicana Airlines.
Source: Ambito Puerto Vallarta Weekly Newspaper
Aeromexico Voted "Best Airline to Mexico" by Readers of Global Traveler Magazine
PROVIDED BY AMBITO
 In a recent survey of its readers, Global Traveler magazine named Aeromexico the "Best Airline to Mexico ." The survey reveals readers' picks for the best in business and luxury travel in categories ranging from Best Airport in the World to Best Airline in the World. Top-rated airlines across all categories are featured in the magazine's January 2005 issue.
"This recognition affirms our passenger commitment to consistently delivering a superlative travel experience with a touch of Mexican hospitality," said Luis Del Rio, Vice President of Aeromexico, International Division. "It is particularly meaningful that this comes from the readers of Global Traveler magazine, who rated our service based on their own personal experience, and chose our airline as the best among all other carriers that fly to Mexico."
Aeromexico, Mexico's largest airline, offers travelers to Mexico a convenient choice of schedules and routes between 17 U.S. gateways and 40 Mexican destinations. The airline is also known for its award-winning Club Premier frequent flyer program and superior Clase Premier business class service featuring a gourmet menu by renowned chef Thierry Blouet. The airline has also led the industry in on-time departures and arrivals for 14 consecutive years, making it one of the most punctual airlines in the world.
"A friendly smile and attentive service go a long way with premium travelers," said Alexandra Young, Global Traveler vice president. More than 3,200 of Global Traveler's readers participated in the annual survey. Global Traveler's open-ended readers' choice survey ran in the March 2004 and May 2004 issues of the magazine and also on Global Traveler's Web site.
Source: Ambito Puerto Vallarta Weekly Newspaper
Westin Hotels Bets Big On Hotel Gyms
PROVIDED BY AMBITO
 Fifty-three New Hotel Gyms Open in Time to Cater to New Year's Resolutions. First Hotel Brand to Market Fitness Centers
Just in time to cater to the 25% of Americans resolving to get fit in '05, Westin Hotels & Resorts has spent $12 million to build new fitness centers. Thousands of brand new treadmills, cycles, elliptical trainers, medicine balls, yoga mats and core boards have been installed in 53 new Westin WORKOUT, Powered by Reebok fitness facilities recently opened in Westin hotels in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Another 40 new fitness centers will debut in 2005, primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific. The WestinWORKOUT, Powered by Reebok custom-designed fitness facilities feature state-of-the art equipment from Life Fitness, Precor, as well as Cardio Theater, Reebok-designed fitness regimens for travelers, and in-room yoga workout.
In an industry first, Westin is launching an advertising and marketing campaign focused on its fitness facilities. A $2 million print campaign breaks this month in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Self, Men's Health, Women's Health, Runner's World and Best Life.
Reebok Helps Whip Westin into Shape Westin partnered with worldwide fitness leader Reebok to develop the travel industry's most extensive fitness and wellness program. The sleek new fitness rooms are inspired by upscale health clubs and feature treadmills, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, steppers, elliptical trainers as well as leg extension, leg curl, shoulder press, lat pulldown and chest machines, free weights and Cardio Theater personal viewing screens and sound systems on all cardio equipment. Each fitness room also features a Reebok Core Training Zone, a unique center created to improve strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic conditioning and outfitted with special equipment by Reebok including Core Boards, medicine balls, stability balls and resistance tubing.
The fitness experts at Reebok University also developed 20, 40 and 60 minute workouts exclusively for Westin guests. These complete body workouts target each major muscle group and can fit into the busy schedule of any business traveler. In addition, several Westin hotels and resorts have developed signature fitness and wellness classes. At The Westin Maui guests can take an Aqua Yoga class and at The Westin St. John Water Tai Chi and Cardio Burn classes are available. Other classes available at dozens of properties include Kickboxing, Yoga, Rowing, Circuit Interval Training, Spinning, Weight Training and walk and running clubs.
De-kink Your Body and Mind in the Comfort of Your Guestroom Need to unwind but not in the mood to leave your room and go to the gym? The experts at Reebok University , including acclaimed fitness expert Lisa Wheeler, developed in-room yoga and Pilates inspired regimen that guests can do in their room. This specially designed in-room workout was developed to de-kink the traveler's body and relax the mind and is available in all Westin guestrooms on the brand's custom TV channel.
Survey Says Hotel Fitness Facilities Need to Shape Up Why the focus on fitness? A survey* of 300 business travelers conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide for Westin found that hotel fitness rooms often disappoint. Sixty-four percent of business travelers say that hotel fitness rooms seem like an afterthought, 75% say the quality of workout rooms is inconsistent from one hotel to the next and more than half the travelers (55%) decided not to use a hotel workout room because it was in such bad condition.
"Working out on the road is a priority for many travelers but hotels have typically cut corners in hotel workout rooms and we wanted to fix that," said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President of Westin Hotels & Resorts. "We want to improve our guests' lives so they feel better from check-in to check-out. Accomplishing that will build loyalty and clearly distinguish Westin from other hotels."
Source: Ambito Puerto Vallarta Weekly Newspaper
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