THE
213-ROOM LE MERIDIEN CANCUN RESORT & SPA was sold for
$100 million to American Properties Hospitality Management in San
Diego. American Properties plans to improve the resort, which was
developed in 2000 and has already received $5 million in upgrades
during the past year. The property was sold by its developer, a
private investor based in Mexico. American Properties said the
acquisition is part of a larger plan to purchase "several
additional four- and five-star hotels and resorts in Mexico."
THE
96-SUITE AZUL BLUE HOTEL & SPA officially opened on
Dec. 15 on the Riviera Maya. Rates start around $740 a night, per
couple. To mark the opening, the resort is marketing a Fifth Night
Free promotion for arrivals from Jan. 1 to 31 (check out by Feb.
5). Guests who pay for and stay four nights within this period will
receive a fifth night for free. For information or reservations,
call (866) 527-4762 or visit www.karismahotels.com.
DESTINATION
VENTURES, the Oregon-based event-planning firm, announced
dates for next year's Mexico Travel Marketplace seminars. Next
year's events will carry the theme, "Sustainable Tourism: Our
Shared Legacy" and will be held in 12 U.S. cities from March 12 to
May 10. Destination Ventures said a number of new enrollment
guidelines will be implemented next year, including a pre-event
Mexico sales questionnaire and mandatory IATAN/CLIA/NACOA/TRUE/CTO
identification. Attendance will be limited to between 75 and 125
attendees per event. Full details and online registration will be
available at www.mexicotravelmarket.com beginning Jan. 15. For
information, call (800) 599-6633.
HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES are making their yearly
migration from the U.S. and Canada to central Mexico for the
winter, making the winged creatures one of the main attractions in
the colonial towns of Angangueo, Ocampo, Zitacuaro and Maravatio.
These towns, in fact, hold a Monarch Butterfly Festival in February
featuring traditional dances, music and artisan markets. From
November to March, more than 250 million of the brightly colored
insects make the journey of more than 3,000 miles to winter in the
state of Michoacan. Two monarch butterfly sanctuaries are open to
the public: Sierra Chincua, a 30-minute drive north of Angangueo,
and El Campanario, about an hour's drive from Ocampo. For
information about lodging in these towns and tours to the butterfly
sanctuaries, visit www.visitmexico.com.
Mexico
E-Letter Editor:
Jorge
Sidron
Phone: (973) 898-0011
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].