PRIVATE
INVESTORS have pumped some $11.6 billion into Mexico's
tourism industry in the last six years, exceeding goals set by the
federal government for the same period by almost 30%, according to
Sectur, Mexico's Ministry of Tourism. In fact, the original tourism
investment goal of $9 billion for the 2001 to 2006 period was
surpassed in June 2005, after increasing some 12% a year since
2002, Sectur reported. If all goes as planned, domestic and foreign
private investment in the nation's hotels, airports and tourism
attractions is projected to surpass $12 billion by the end of this
year. International investors accounted for 25% of the spending
during this period, with U.S.-based companies accounting for the
lion's share of foreign private money. Spanish-based companies
ranked second among foreign investors.
NOT
SURPRISINGLY, Mexico's beach destinations are the most
popular places for investors to spend their money, with
destinations like Acapulco; Cancun and the Riviera Maya; and Puerto
Vallarta accounting for the bulk of spending. The top three areas
of investment accounting for almost 52% of the $11.6 billion in the
last six years were Guerrero State ($2.6 billion), where 89% of
private investment took place in Acapulco; Quintana Roo State
($2.47 billion), where 82% of investment was channeled to Cancun
and the Riviera Maya; and Nayarit State ($92.5 million), where more
than 60% of private investment went to the Pacific Coast resort
town of Nuevo Vallarta. Together, the Mexican states on the
U.S.-Mexico border, including Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and
Tamaulipas, garnered 19% of private investment during this period.
Among these state's top tourist attractions are the Copper Canyon
in Chihuahua, the La Quemada archeological sites in Zacatecas, the
bustling city of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon and the 200,000-acre
Cuatro Cienegas Valley in Coahuila.
GRUPO
PRESIDENTE is promoting the upcoming reopening of the
Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa as Cozumel's
first ever five-star resort. The reopening "is seen as a major step
by Grupo Presidente and is considered the beginning of the
transformation and re-positioning of Cozumel as an up-market,
luxury destination," Grupo Presidente said in a statement. The
220-room resort is scheduled to open in October, following a
top-to-bottom $25 million renovation to completely redesign guest
rooms and the creation of an Ocean Suites with unobstructed views
of the Caribbean. All of the resort's rooms will include
wide-screen plasma TVs and upscale furnishings and amenities. New
facilities will include a full-service spa, a golf putting green
and a PADI-certified scuba diving center. For information or
reservations, call (800) 327-0200 or visit www.intercontinental.com/cozumel.
IN HONOR OF
HOTEL FIRM Sol Melia's 50th anniversary, Travel
Impressions is offering agents who book a participating Sol Melia
resort in Mexico a $50 commission bonus, in addition to the agent's
regular commission. The promotion is valid for bookings of a
minimum of five nights made through Sept. 15 for travel through
Dec. 23. To qualify, bookings must include Travel Impressions'
Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. Participating properties
are: Gran Melia Mexico Reforma, Melia Azul Ixtapa, Melia Cabo Real,
Melia Cozumel, Melia Puerto Vallarta and Paradisus Playa Conchal.
In addition, Web bookings qualify for an additional 1% commission.
For information or reservations, call (800) 284-0044 or visit www.travelimpressions.com.
FUNJET
VACATIONS is promoting a Fall Fare Savings Sale with
packaged air fares starting at $150 per person, roundtrip. Sample
vacations to Puerto Vallarta from Chicago with three nights at the
Riu Jalisco start at $480, including the $150 roundtrip air fare.
This package is valid for an Aug. 31 departure on Aeromexico. Fall
Fare packages include roundtrip air fare, hotel accommodations,
roundtrip airport transfers and 24-hour traveler assistance.
Packages must be booked by Aug. 24. For information or
reservations, call Funjet at (800) 558-3050 or visit www.vaxvacationaccess.com.
Mexico
E-Letter Editor:
Jorge
Sidron
Phone: (973) 898-0011
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].