Tianguis Triumphs and Tributes

Mexico's annual tourism conference has come and gone for the 33rd year. Well organized, colorful and a feast for the senses, the event strives to present the full panorama of Mexico's tourism product. From gastronomic and musical delights ("chapulines" anyone?) to panel discussions and after-hours schmoozing under the stars, the event never fails to invigorate one's enthusiasm for Mexico's uniquely tantalizing tourism offering. This year's event highlights included: An opening ceremony at the new Mundo Imperial, located just minutes from the airport in the booming "Acapulco Diamante" string of posh real estate enclaves. The 4,000-seat event center will be augmented this fall with an 800- room deluxe hotel, a 15,000 sq. foot spa, and Mexico's largest conference center at over 355,000 sq. feet of exhibit space. Just across the street is Acapulco's newest shopping and entertainment experience "La Isla Acapulco" (also opening this fall). Learn more here... New travel agent specialist programs will be launched this summer by the Los Cabos and Mazatlan tourism boards. The programs will be bolstered by live seminar series held across the U.S. and Canada in the Fall. The programs will include interactive e-learning courses, easy downloading of destination Study Guides, videos and maps (to share with clients), consumer leads for graduates and FAM trip opportunities. Look for these programs this summer at www.magicofmexico.com. Did you know...

• Aeromexico is now flying from Detroit to Monterry and Mexico City?
• Mexico City has banned smoking in ALL public buildings?
• The Costa Maya (south of the Riviera Maya) and its popular cruise port of Mahajual (damaged by hurricane Dean last fall) will be fully operational for early 2009 cruise ship arrivals?
• Huatulco, the fledgling resort on Mexico's southern Oaxacan coast is about to benefit from a huge infusion of federal inftrastructure investment?
• Nayarit State will be building new roads to support the "Riviera Nayarit" coastal tourism boom, a mixture of boomer-friendly condos, private homes, golf courses, marinas and eco-sensitive tourism clusters?
• The successful Tesoros de Michoacán hotel marketing alliance has been expanded to incorporate unique lodging options in Morelos (Cuernavaca), Puebla, and Guanajuato States?
• Mexico City's massive airport has a spiffy new international air terminal (Terminal Dos, home to all Aeromexico operations) with an impressive lobby display of UNESCO World Heritage sites from across Mexico?
• Mazatlán is now a railroad head for deluxe "Copper Canyon" train excursions thanks to U.S.- based Grand Lux Rail Journeys?
• Puerto Vallarta just hosted the world's largest "beach soccer" championship, sponsored by FIFA?

Buen Viaje, Amigo... Mexico and its tourism supporters had the chance to say goodbye to one of its most loyal supporter, writer Nick Gallo. Nick passed away at age 57 last fall while traveling on assignment to Greece. He was a gifted writer who left a lasting impression on both his readers and peers. From his home in Seattle he penned more than 350 travel articles and won the Pluma de Plata award for his excellent Mexico coverage. His writing appeared in publications ranging from the Seattle Times, New York Times, People Magazine, Men's Health, to Travel+Leisure and others. This past week in Acapulco, his peers established an annual award to honor exceptional Mexico travel writing. Gone but not forgotten, Nick helped bring Mexico to life for thousands of readers. We wish him well on his future travels.

Acapulco on the Rise

The "birthplace" of jet-set tourism is undergoing a re-birth. Yes, I know you've been hearing for the past 20 years about Acapulco's "comeback". Why should you pay attention this time, when in the past the "comeback" was fairly cosmetic. Acapulco is and will aways be THE Mexican beach resort experience. Its position of "Mexico for Mexicans" was solidified by way of the "Autopista del Sol" that lures Mexico City residents to their favorite beach getaway -- only a three-hour drive from the capital. But there's truly some "new" in the news about this world class resort. Beyond the hype Acapulco is getting hip. It's building new resorts (W and Banyan Tree), a new world class shopping complex ("La Isla" like the one in Cancun), and Mexico's most ambitious event center/hotel (the "Mundo Imperial"). The strip between the airport and Puerto Marques is booming with these and other projects, while Acapulco Bay and its famoso "Costera" remain the star attraction. Stay tuned...

౯% Más

Been to Pacific Mexico lately? If you're known to tip back an icy "cerveza" from time to time, you'll have noticed that independent Pacífico has inflated its bottle size. Yes. It's now "9% más" in every bottle. After just a couple you're already 18% ahead of the competition. Pacífico froths forth from sunny, friendly, colonial-esque Mazatlán. The brewery is right downtown. On a recent visit to this booming and very self-assured Mexican community, there were discoveries around every corner. During the warm days and sarape evenings of post-carnaval, Jane and I were amazed by the rebirth of historic downtown. This nostalgic 19th century grid of Spanish influenced facades, plazas and churches is punctuated with hump-like hills affording sweeping Pacific views. A wave of lovely restorations has bestowed the area with new B & B's, cafes "al aire libre" and an aire of civic pride. Take a table at the Plaza Machado and enjoy 9% más. Felicidades Mazatlán, amigo viejo.