EVERYTHING UNDER THE MEXICAN SUN Tianguis Tidbits 2014 Anita Draycott EVERYTHING UNDER THE MEXICAN SUN: Tianguis Tidbits 2014 15 MAY 2014: Im just recovering (Mexicans really know how to party) from the 39th annual Tianguis Turistico, Mexico and Latin Americas largest tourism trade fair held for the first time in Cancun. After the mighty Mayan civilization collapsed around the 15th century, the stretch of beach and jungle now known as Cancun was virtually unknown, its only inhabitants a sprinkling of farmers and fishermen. But in 1967 FONATUR created Mexico’s first computer-planned resort, selected based on the quality of its beaches, sunshine, unique historical attractions and hospitable locals. The plan worked—in spades. Numerology Today Cancun is Mexico’s top tourist destination, so it was the ideal spot to host Tianguis 2014 where business was booming. Sixty-one countries attended the show from five continents and buyers from Canada totaled 58—a new record according to Rodrigo Esponda, Director of the Mexico Tourism Board in Toronto. Another record Esponda proudly shared: in 2013 1.6 million Canadians visited Mexico; in the first quarter of 2014 the visitor numbers have reached almost 800,000. And that’s just the first quarter! Toronto is still the number one Canadian market, followed closely by Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. Esponda noted that Manitoba and Saskatchewan visitor numbers are also growing. Mexico is becoming increasingly popular as a medical/wellness destination. Esponda noted that ten percent of Canadians going to Mexico are spending money on medical tourism such as dentistry, cosmetic surgery and wellness treatments. If your clients are tired of waiting for a hip replacement or can’t afford that nose job or new dental veneers back home, consider sending them south of the border. Cirque’s Up Mark your calendars. Quebec’s Cirque du Soleil has teamed up with leading resort developer Grupo Vidanta to bring the world JOYÀ, a new show that will be the Cirque’s only permanent project outside of Canada and the U.S. “JOYÀ is tailor-made for Cancun and Riviera Maya,” said Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. “We reveled in the creative challenge of introducing something completely different. Through the integration of premium food and beverage service into a Cirque du Soleil theatrical experience that draws on Mexico’s rich culture and heritage, JOYÀ will deliver an immersive, multisensory offering beyond anything that currently exists.” JOYÀ tells the story of an alchemist and his granddaughter embarking on a transformative quest to uncover the secrets of life. The performance will be housed in a 600-seat theatre custom-built for Cirque du Soleil, which draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the surrounding jungle near The Grand Mayan resort. If all goes well, JOYÀ will be the prototype for more Cirque resort shows. Preview performances begin November 8, 2014; the premiere is November 21. VIP tickets ($225 U.S.) include show, dinner and fine French Champagne. The show only costs $80 and there are price options in between. cirquedusoleil Acapulco: The Best is Yet to Come In 2015 Tianguis will return to its home in Acapulco. Several improvements are in the works to put the town back on the tourist map. Macrotunel, the longest tunnel in Latin America (3.3 km), will connect Acapulco Dorado to Diamante in just six minutes so now transportation between the airport and centro will be fast and efficient. The federal government is also spending muchos pesos to put purified drinking water in the Hotel Zone. A modern Acabus service will offer state-of-the-art public transportation and the Costera (main street) is also undergoing sidewalk and lighting improvements. Mazatlan on the Move Mazatlan, boasting the largest Canadian ex-pat community in Mexico, has plenty more bragging rights. Hotel guest arrivals are up 18 percent and meetings/incentives/conferences and exhibitions numbers are up a whopping 36 percent in 2014. Cruise lines Norwegian, Holland America and Azamara returned to Mazatlan in 2013; Princess Lines will begin arrivals in fall, 20114. Mundo Maya For clients wishing to experience a slice of authentic Mayan culture, Corazon Y Vida Maya offers all sorts of options in the area of the Maya Ka’an Biosphere. Seventeen eco-tourism companies offer opportunities to learn from shamans, kayak in Port Allen, cook Mayan dishes, swim in cenotes and more in this “last corner of Mexico.” All tours are designed for minimal impact on the environment so you may have to book as far as two years in advance for these exclusive adventures. corazonyvidamaya Kevin Spacey Likes Mexican Food Why the Tianguis organizers invited actor Kevin Spacey to headline in a Q&A session remains a mystery. When asked to talk about his Mexican experiences, Mr. Spacey said he really liked Mexican cuisine and the Nizuc Resort & Spa where he and President Enrique Pena Nieto shared an evening. The two-time Oscar winner also complimented the President on new reforms that encourage foreigners to invest in Mexico, predicting that this will lead to more movies and music videos being produced there. If you want to send your clients to a hotel worthy of presidents and academy award winners, (where rooms start at about $3,000 U.S. per night) check out nizuc Luxury Knows No Limits Speaking of luxury resorts, my vote in the Riviera Maya goes to Rosewood Mayakoba. Located just north of Playa del Carmen, the Mayakoba resort (the Mayan word for “city of water”) has garnered numerous awards for both its quality of service and commitment to preserving the ecology. The resort was built to abide by the highest of eco-standards, offering indulgence with awareness, and has received the Rainforest Alliance Certification. Rosewood’s list of accolades from Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure magazines is also impressive. The developers blasted and dug ten kilometres of limestone canals, creating a sort of Venice of the Caribbean with suites perched on the edges of the blue lagoons. Lanchas (electric boats), golf carts or bicycles transport guests around the property. Whether it’s the preparation of a romantic bubble bath or coordinating a day trip to Chichen Itzá, Rosewood’s 24-hour professional butler service is trained to exceed guests’ expectations. If you opt to have them pack your bags, everything is wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with a Rosewood sticker. When you arrive at your next destination, unpacking seems like Christmas. rosewoodhotels At the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Cancun Resort & Spa, I spent two hours enjoying the ten-step hydrotherapy ritual in the hotel’s new Gem Spa. The grand finale is a soak in the Sensations pool where all sorts of cascades, geysers and jets leave you feeling totally relaxed and ready to tackle Tianguis or a night on the town in Cancun. fiestamericanagrand
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 11:56:39 +0000
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