TONY
RYAN, founder of the wildly successful European low-cost
carrier Ryanair, is investing in a new, low-cost airline in Mexico
that hopes to take flight in September. Ryan, members of his family
and Ireland-based Kite Investments set up a company called RyanMex
to take a 49% stake in the airline, which will be called Viva
AeroBus. The ventures majority shareholder will be Iamsa, Mexicos
largest bus transportation company. Bus-airplane travel packages
might be offered, and the airline plans service within Mexico and
to U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Houston.
BARCELO
HOTELS & RESORTS, the Spain-based resort firm, paid
$48.2 million for the Karmina Palace Hotel in Manzanillo. The
324-room all-inclusive resort will be marketed as a five-star
property under Barcelos Premium Collection. The resort will be
renamed the Barcelo Karmina Palace Hotel and brings to 10 the
number of hotels and resorts that Barcelo operates in Mexico. For
information or to book, call (800) BARCELO or visit www.barcelo.com.
CONTINENTAL
AIRLINES VACATIONS and Mexicos Palace Resorts teamed up
for a Kings Ransom promotion for travel agents. Under the
incentive, agents earn $50 for each booking of three nights or
longer at a Palace property in Mexico. Bookings must be made by
Dec. 15, and travel must be completed by the end of the year. The
promotion can be combined with Continental Airlines Vacations
increased commissions of up to 15% for Mexico bookings. For
reservations, visit www.vaxvacationaccess.com or call (800)
634-5555.
UNITED
VACATIONS is offering savings between $50 and $200 on
packages to Mexico. The promotion is valid for travel May 1 to Dec.
15, excluding Nov. 22 to 26. Bookings must be made by April 15. To
qualify, bookings must total at least $1,000 for a minimum of three
nights. Packages include roundtrip air fare and airport transfers.
For reservations, visit www.vaxvacationaccess.com or call (800)
328-6877.
HACIENDA
XCANATUN, the 18-room luxury hotel on the outskirts of
Merida, joined Virtuoso, the invitation-only luxury travel network.
Opened in 2000, Xcanatun is currently the only privately owned and
managed hotel in the Yucatan. The property features 13 suites and
five regular rooms with 18-foot, beamed ceilings; skylights; marble
bathrooms; a spa; and extensive gardens. The property dates to the
18th century, when it served as a sisal plantation. For information
or to book, visit www.virtuoso.com or call the Hacienda Xcanatun at
(888) 883-3633.