UP WITH
MICHOACAN: The Mexico Tourism Board is reporting enormous
growth in international tourism arrivals in Michoacan state, famed
for its autumn Day of the Dead festivities. According to Michoacans
tourism secretariat, the percentage of foreigners among all
visitors has increased from 3.5% to 12% in just three years. In the
same period, international tourism revenue grew sixfold, to $71
million (up from just $12 million). Lastly, the international
airport in capital city Morelia will soon be served by flights from
eight U.S. cities, up from todays six. For more on Michoacan, which
lies on the Pacific coast west of Mexico City, visit www.michoacan.gob.mx.
SOMETHING IN
THE AIR: Aeromexico this year is rolling out a host of new
connections between the U.S. and Mexico. The carrier adds a fourth
year-round weekly flight from Salt Lake City to Mexico City, each
Wednesday, starting July 6. On the seasonal front, Aeromexico will
offer new twice-weekly non stops between Los Angeles and Culiacan,
July 9 to Aug. 20; from Las Vegas to Guadalajara, July 7 to Aug.
21; and from Atlanta to Cancun, July 7 to Aug. 22. Aeromexico also
plans seasonal December service between New York (Kennedy) and
Cancun, and has applied to the DOT for permission to fly between
Chicago and Durango July 8 to Sept. 4. Overseas, the airline adds
first-ever nonstops from Monterrey, Mexico, to Madrid, Spain,
starting Sept. 6. For more on flights and schedules, visit www.aeromexico.com.
LESS GREEN,
MORE GOLF: Riu Hotels and Resorts in Mexico are offering
golf discounts Nov. 1 through Oct. 31, 2006. Guests of any Riu
resort in the Cancun area get 50% off rack rates at, and free
transfers to, the Mayan Palace Golf Riviera Maya course. The Riu
Palace Las Americas in Cancun gives guests unlimited free golf at
Pok Ta Pok Golf Club, 25% off greens fees at Hilton Golf Club and
10% off at the Hilton Pro Golf Shop. At Riu Cancun and Riu Caribe,
also in Cancun, guests get 25% off greens fees at the Hilton and
Pok Ta Pok, plus 10% off at the Hilton shop. The Riu Palace Cabo
San Lucas reduces rates at the Raven Golf Club, ranging from $100,
plus 10% (7 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Oct. 16, 2005-April 20, 2006) to $50,
plus 10% (12 p.m. to closing; June 16-Oct. 15, 2006). Lastly,
guests of Riu Jalisco in Puerto Vallarta pay $72 (a $48 savings)
for tee times before 3 p.m., and $60 ($20 off) from 3 p.m. till
closing, at Flamingos Golf Club from Nov. 1 to April 30, 2006. For
more about Riu Hotels and Resorts, visit www.riu.com.
MORE
FUNJET: Funjet Vacations expanded its Second Person Flies
Free sale to Mexico from Atlanta, also knocking up to $200 off
companion rates from Texas and the Midwest. Book at www.vaxvacationaccess.com by July 7 for travel from
Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston (using promotional code FLYFREENOW) or
Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit (using FLYFREEMW) for vacations
from Aug. 1 to Sept. 20. Prices start at $499.99 for the first
person and $299.99 for the second from Texas, and $699.99 and
$499.99, respectively, from the Midwest. For more information on
Funjet, visit www.funjet.com.
LESS MAY BE
MORE: For a different take on the Riviera Maya, consider
the areas many small, boutique hotel properties as an alternative
to larger resorts. The Riviera Maya Tourism Promotion Board in
Playa del Carmen suggests the even-villas Acanto Hotel and Suites
(www.acantohotels.com); 15-villa Azulik (www.azulik.com);
Cabanas Copal (www.cabanascopal.com), with 47 jungle cabanas; the
32-room Cabanas Los Lirios (www.loslirios.com); the 42-suite, nudist Hidden
Beach Resort Au Naturel Club (www.hiddenbeachresort.com); the 15-room Hotel Deseo
(www.hoteldeseo.com); and the Hotel Escencia (www.hotelescencia.com), with 29 suites. Other options
include the Illusion Hotel (www.illusionhotel.com), with 38 rooms; the
10-room La Lunata (www.lunata.com); La Tortuga Hotel and Spa (www.hotellatortuga.com), with 45 units; and
Las Casitas Akumal (www.lascasitasakumal.com), which features 18
two-bedroom casitas on Akumal Bay. For more boutique
Riviera Maya resorts, call (877) 7GO-MAYA or visit www.rivieramaya.com.