Alaska
Airlines said it applied for DOT
approval to start nonstop service between Los Angeles and Loreto,
Mexico. The carrier said the service will be supported by a
marketing partnership with the Loreto Bay Co., a major developer in
Loreto. The twice-weekly flights would begin Feb. 17 and operate
Sundays and Thursdays. Alaska plans to use MD-80 aircraft on the
route seating 12 in first class and 128 in coach. Loreto would be
Alaska's eighth destination in Mexico. The airline currently serves
Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo,
Manzanillo/Costa Alegre, Cancun and Guadalajara. As part of the new
service, Alaska Airlines Vacations would offer packages to Loreto.
Loreto, located about 300 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, was among
five Mexican communities selected by the Mexican government in the
1970s for tourism expansion. The others were Cancun, Huatulco,
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Los Cabos.
Pleasant
Holidays launched its Mexico
product brochure for 2005 featuring dozens of new properties and
new destinations. The brochure includes details on 154 hotels,
including 31 new resorts in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Acapulco,
Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. Also included are 15
properties in new destinations: Aguascalientes, Chetumal,
Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Merida, San Miguel de Allende, Zacatecas,
Mexico City, Monterrey and Costa Alegre. Special icons highlight
condominiums for couples or families, all-inclusive properties and
resorts with children's programs, spas and honeymoon packages. To
order a brochure or for information, call (800) 448-3333 or visit
www.pleasantagent.com.
Sol Melia
Hotels & Resorts' Paradisus Riviera Cancun
was awarded the AAA Four Diamond Rating for
2005. The company said the Paradisus Riviera Cancun is one of three
all-Inclusive Four Diamond-rated properties in Mexico and the
largest all-inclusive property to receive the honor. The resort's
suites are part of Leading Hotels of the World. For information or
reservations, call (800)-33MELIA or visit www.solmelia.com.
The Iberostar
Paraiso Maya will open the first
week of December on Playa Paraiso between Cancun and Playa del
Carmen. The 432-suite resort is being marketed as the highest-tier
member of the Iberostar family of properties in Mexico. The resort
will feature personalized sit-down check-in with no front desk,
luxury room amenities and a spa. Iberostar Paraiso Maya joins
Iberostar Paraiso Beach, Iberostar Paraiso del Mar and Iberostar
Paraiso Lindo. In 2005, a new shopping center, spa and fitness
center and 18-hole golf course will debut at the Iberostar Paraiso
Maya and Iberostar Playa Paraiso resort complex. Visit www.iberostar.com.
The Presidente
InterContinental Mexico Cityis offering a reduced
rate $125 a night when customers purchase the Frida Kahlo
Experience package. The package costs an additional $245 per person
and includes two days of museum tours, including the Palace of Fine
Arts, Diego Rivera Mural Museum, the Dolores Olmedo Museum and Casa
Azul, where Kahlo lived and painted. All tickets to museums, lunch
at traditional Mexico City restaurants, transportation and
English-speaking guide are included. Reservations should be made
through Presidente InterContinental Mexico City's concierge one
week prior to arrival. In addition, guests can choose two
complimentary options, including daily breakfast, room upgrade,
city tour or complimentary children's meals at the hotel's Frutas y
Flores Restaurant. A two-night minimum stay is required and the
discounted room rate is only available Thursday through Sunday. The
Frida Kahlo package is available on Friday and Saturday. For
information or reservations, visit www.intercontinental.com.