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Surrounded by dense green
jungle, Palenque is among the most spectacular of
the ancient Maya sites. The renovated museum, which
contains 264 pieces, is designed to help visitors
comprehend how life was lived in the area more than
a millennium ago.
News on carriers to
Mexico:
Scotia Prince continuing
cruises to Yucatan
Officials of Scotia Prince
Cruises confirmed that their 1,000 passenger ship,
marketed as the Yucatan Express, will continue
sailing from Tampa to Progreso, near Mˇrida, for
the rest of this season and may return to Cancun
next autumn.
During the warmer months,
the Scotia Prince sails between Maine and Nova
Scotia. The Tampa-Progreso route, which originally
continued on to Puerto Morelos, was inaugurated
last November.
According to John Hamill,
chief operating officer of the cruise line, Puerto
Morelos, near Cancun, proved to be too shallow for
the eight-deck, 485-foot vessel. "We understand
that the port authority intends to dredge the old
channel, and once this has been completed we will
discuss the recommencement of scheduled service to
Puerto Morelos," Hamill said.
News on the
Industry:
FONATUR underscores
ecological concerns
Protecting the environment
along the "Escalera Nautica," or Nautical Route, is
a matter of prime concern, according to John
McCarthy, general director of FONATUR (the National
Tourism Development Fund). Developing the route,
with marinas along both coasts of the Baja
California peninsula and mainland areas fronting
the Sea of Cortˇs, is a major project being
promoted by FONATUR.
"The unspoiled landscape and
magnificent deep-sea fishing are among the major
attractions in northwestern Mexico," McCarthy said.
"Our aim is to minimize environmental impact while
improving living standards."
Last year nearly half the
international travellers who came to Mexico stayed
at Fonatur developments - including Cancun, Los
Cabos, Ixtapa, Huatulco and Loreto - McCarthy
reported.
"It may take another 15
years to complete the Nautical Route, but we are
confident it will benefit the northwest
enormously," he added.
Chains concentrating on
mid-priced hotels
Miguel Torruco, president of
the Mexican Hotel Association, said that at least a
half billion dollars will be invested in new hotel
construction this year, according to Miguel
Torruco, president of the Mexican Hotel
Association. Most of this construction is expected
to be for mid-priced four-star properties aimed at
business travellers who will be overnighting in
Mexico's smaller cities.
Four-star hotels charge an
average rate of 600 pesos ($60 US) per night while
guests at five-star hotels pay an average on 1,300
pesos ($130 US). Camino Real, which now operates
only luxury establishments, has launched what it
calls its executive division and plans to open ten
Camino Real Ejecutivos during the next four years.
The first of these opened this week in Tlanepantla,
an industrial suburb north of Mexico
City.
Alternative tourism
booming
Mexico now has nearly 450
firms involved in providing "alternative" tourism
services and the Tourism Ministry has its own
alternative tourism division.
As Jorge Belmonte, who heads
that division, explains, alternative tourism
consists of adventure tourism, rural tourism and
eco-tourism. Eco-tourism emphasizes observation of
natural surroundings while adventure tourists are
interested in scuba diving, mountain biking, river
rafting and hiking. Rural tourism involves the
study of crafts, herbal medicine and village
life.
"While the total number of
participants remains small, this is the
fastest-growing segment of the industry," Belmonte
reports.
Mexico - Closer Than
Ever...
No matter what you are
seeking, Mexico offers a variety of experiences
that are close to home and difficult to match
anywhere else. Where else can you climb a pyramid
in the morning, snorkel before lunch, shop for
exquisite crafts, dine on authentic Mexican cuisine
and dance until dawn? From excitement and fun to
rest, relaxation, and reflection, Mexico offers it
all. For more information on Mexico's many
destinations call 1-800-44-MEXICO or visit
http://www.visitmexico.com/
About the Mexico Tourism
Board:
The Mexico Tourism Board
(MTB) - also referred to as the Consejo de
Promocion Turistica de Mˇxico - brings together the
resources of the federal and state governments,
municipalities and private commercial companies to
manage the promotion of Mexico as a
multiple-attraction tourism destination. The MTB
has offices throughout North America, Europe, Latin
America and Japan dedicated to promotion and
marketing for Mexico's tourism attractions and
destinations.
For more information, please
contact:
Kerry Patterson
Fleishman-Hillard Canada
Inc. (416) 645-3646
mailto:pattersk@fleishman.com>
Beth Cohen
Fleishman-Hillard Canada,
Phone - 416.645.3648
Fax -
416.214.0720
cohenb@fleishman.com
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The
Mexico Tourism Board has signed a cooperation
agreement with the organizers of the Expo Mundial
de Turismo (EMT) or World Tourism Exposition,
scheduled to be held Sept. 24 - 27 in Mexico City.
More than 40 countries are expected to participate
in the event, the first of its kind to be held in
Mexico. The venue will be Las Americas Exposition
Center on the northern edge of Mexico City.
Organizers predict that as many as 25,000 people
will visit the show. Managing the event will be
Messe Frankfurt, a company based in Germany.
