THE RIVIERA MAYA welcomed nearly 1 million
tourists during the first six months of the year, and Americans
accounted for the lion's share of visitors, according to the
Tourism Promotion Board of the Riviera Maya. From Jan. 1 to June
30, more than 990,000 tourists from around the world stayed in the
Riviera Maya, up 10% from the same period a year ago. The U.S.
accounted for the greatest number of arrivals, with more than
418,000 visitors arriving from the U.S., representing 42.23% of all
tourists. Arrivals from North America, which includes the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico, accounted for more than 714,000, or 72%, of all
tourists. Europe, the Riviera Maya's second largest market,
accounted for 26.57% of arrivals. In June, hotel occupancy was
71.06%, up 2.22% from June 2002. Hotel occupancy for the first six
months of 2003 was 78.37%, a 1.42% increase over the year-ago
period.
APPLE VACATIONS is offering customers staying
in the Nuevo Vallarta area of Puerto Vallarta a number of
"two-for-one" deals as part if its Fun For Free promotion through
Sept. 30. In addition, the Apple promotion includes discounts on
golf, shopping, spa treatments and sightseeing tours. Under the
"two-for-one" promotion, popular restaurants like Felipe's, Los
Milagros, La Cave, Blue Shrimp and Mikado are offering two entrees
for the price of one. Discounts include 30% off greens fees at El
Tigre Golf Course; a choice of spa packages at the Krystal Vallarta
Spa, including two 75-minute massages for $65; and a free cruise
for two kids 5 to12 years old with the purchase of two adult
tickets with Vallarta Adventure. For details, call Apple Vacations
at (800) 365-2775 or visit the Web at www.applevacations.com.
THE 65-ROOM MAROMA RESORT AND SPA in the
Riviera Maya announced holiday rates. From Dec. 20 to Jan. 3 rates,
will start at $510 a night, double. The resort created a program of
activities designed to acquaint guests with a traditional Mexican
holiday, including making pi -- atas. On Christmas Eve, chef
Stephanie Rowe and her staff will invite guests into the kitchen to
help prepare traditional Mexican dishes and cocktails, which will
be served as a communal meal. Guests will awake on Christmas
morning to find the piñatas they created filled with a gift from
the resort. The week will also feature afternoon teas served with
traditional Mexican sweets. For information or reservations, call
(866) 454-9351 or visit www.maromahotel.com.
VIVA RESORTS designated September as "Travel
Agent Month" at its properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic
and the Bahamas. In Mexico, agents will be able to stay for $40 a
night per person, double, at the Viva Vallarta, and for $52 a night
at the Viva Maya and $56 a night at the Viva Azteca, both in the
Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive rates are valid from Sept. 1 to 30.
To qualify, agents must present a valid IATAN or ARC number at the
time of booking. To book, call (800) 898-9968 or send an e-mail to
[email protected].
EACH YEAR IN EARLY AUTUMN, one of nature's most
dramatic signs of seasonal change takes place: the migration of
hundreds of gray whales from the frigid waters of the Arctic to the
warm waters surrounding the Baja Peninsula. And from December to
March, one of the best places to view this phenomenon is in the
waters surrounding Los Cabos. The whales complete the 12,000-mile
journey by late December and stay until late March. Observing the
mammals' migration can be reason enough to visit Los Cabos during
this period. The whales often are close enough to the shore to see
from beaches and overlooks. Or clients can sign on for one of Baja
Expeditions' whale-watching plans. The San Diego-based operator
offers packages that combine hotel stays with whale-watching
expeditions and other ecofriendly activities. Prices start at
$1,250 per person, double, for a six-night Magdalena Bay Whales
& Kayaking itinerary. For details or reservations, call Baja
Expeditions at (800) 843-6967 or visit www.bajaex.com. In
addition, many local tour companies offer whale-watching trips that
can be booked through clients' hotels. These two-and-a-half-hour
boat tours take place in the bays around Los Cabos by catamaran or
power boat.
AVALON RESORTS, which operates four properties
in Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Acapulco, extended its fifth-night-free
promotion through Dec. 23. Guests earn a fifth night free when they
book four nights. Avalon's Mexico properties are the Avalon
Excalibur in Acapulco, the Avalon Grand in Cancun and the Avalon
Reef Club on Isla Mujeres. To book, call (800) 261-5014 or visit www.avalonvacations.com.