When most of us hear about sustainable
tourism, ecotourism is usually the first thought that comes to mind. So
what exactly is sustainable tourism and what is ecotourism? Are they the
same? Do they refer to consumers (a market) or to hotels and destinations
(products)?
Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, a Mexican architect, coined
the word ecotourism and its preliminary definition in 1983, to be later
adjusted and officially adopted by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Since then, several ecotourism sites have
been developed around the world. According to The International
Ecotourism Society, ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural
areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local
people” (1990).
Anyone who wants to know the soul of colonial Mexico, should visit Morelia,
the capital city of the State of Michoacán
and a World Heritage Site. More than one thousand colonial buildings and
churches delight the millions of tourists who visit it. But Morelia is also a
treasure of natural wonders.
One such treasure is the MorelosNational Park, a protected natural
area 18 miles (28 kilometers) from the InternationalAirport in Morelia. Here, you can enjoy a beautiful
forest with an excellent climate; perfect for hikes or horseback rides on
the trails or simply relaxing.
In Pátzcuaro and on the island
of Janitzio, 21 miles (34
kilometers) from Morelia,
you can find the best white fish in the region, and you can see the Viejito
(Old Man) Dance, obviously a delicious irony, because only the very young
men can dance at its speed.
Michoacán: Source of Inspiration, Source of Recreation
Mexico’s
pre-Hispanic roots and complex history have amazed ---and continues to
intrigue--historians, academics, writers and artists from all fields.
Indeed, Mexico
has a magical attraction and has been a continuous source of inspiration
through time.
There is no more remarkable example of this than the work
of Jean Marie Le Clezio, the recent winner of the Nobel Prize for
Literature, who has chosen Mexico
and its history as main characters of his work.
Private Investment in Tourism Grows 29.47 Percent in First
Three Quarters
During the first three quarters of 2008,
private investment in tourism in Mexico was $4.348 million
dollars, representing a 29.47 percent increase over the same period in
2007, according to Rodolfo Elizondo, Mexican Secretary of Tourism.
The Minister recalled that during the first 22 months of
the current administration of President Felipe Calderon (2006-2012), the
foreign private investment in tourism in Mexico was $7.822 million
dollars or 39 percent of the goal of $20.000 million dollars during
Calderon’s 72 months term.
The National Register of Foreign Inversion of the
Secretariat of Tourism pointed out that 58.5 percent of this amount came
from national investors and the remaining 41.5 percent came from foreign
capitals, mainly from Spain
and the United States.
American Executive
Says Mexico
Has Big Potential in Business Tourism
Deborah Sexton, President and CEO of the
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the leading
organization for meetings and event professionals, said Mexico has
at this moment a great potential to carry out congresses and conventions.
During the “Summit of Tourism of Meetings
Mexico-PCMA”, recently held in Monclova,
capital city of the MexicanState of Coahuila, Sexton explained that Mexico not
only has destinations with big tourist value, but also enjoys a good rate
of exchange peso to dollar and the possibility for travelers to combine
business and pleasure, extending their stays.
In this respect, the Mexican Secretary or Tourism, Rodolfo
Elizondo Torres, said Mexico
must make the most of the opportunities in Business Tourism, a segment with
the potential for 30 million tourists.
During the summit, Elizondo Torres; and the General
Director of the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), Oscar Fitch, met with 15
American PMA specialists in order to give a boost to Congress and
Conventions Tourism in Mexico.
The Mexican Secretary of Tourism and Sexton agreed to
celebrate a new working meeting in Chicago
in order to monitor the accords from this Summit
in Monclova and to exchange new experiences
to increase the tourism flow to Mexico.
The Best of Premium
Tourism in Mexico
Arrives in Las Vegas
If
pampering and first-class amenities are what you seek, indulge yourself and
look no further than “south of the border” into Mexico and some
of its exquisite, unique and luxurious destinations that will be represented
at the Luxury Travel Expo 2008, set to take place in Las Vegas from
December 2nd to the 4th.
Among the featured destinations showcasing their luxurious
amenities will be Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit; the states of
Guanajuato and Yucatán; the city of Manzanillo, Mexico City, and the
up-and-coming Mundo Imperial development in the sunny city of Acapulco.
These are but a handful of all that Mexico has to offer the avid
premium traveler who seeks the best in spas, therapies, golf, resorts,
haciendas, gastronomy, service, privacy, beaches, yacht trips and so much
more.
Aside from the proximity to the U.S.
for American tourists, Mexico
is far beyond one’s expectations- not only as a local getaway- but
also as an exclusive destination where one can sunbathe or receive a
relaxing and private beachside massage followed by a private yacht cruise
or a round of golf on any of Mexico’s award winning
courses. Visitors can then enjoy a colonial town with historical and
exclusive haciendas- all renowned services for any traveler. For further
information on these destinations please visit:
Night of the Radishes, a Special Day Based on a
Colorful Contest
Syncretism
is what makes Mexican culture so special. Most of the traditions that arose
from the integration of two cultures are based on the Catholic religion.
Some authors say that in Oaxaca,
the Dominican monks taught the Zapotecs and Mixtecs the great art of
horticulture. Through this, they began an important activity growing
vegetables and flowers that led them to become great gardeners.
For the vigil meals (one cannot eat meat nor poultry during
vigil meals) on December 23, salted dried fish was sold in the market and
the merchants did everything possible to be the merchant that sold the
most. To distinguish themselves from others, vendors sculpted radish
figures; embellishing them with turnips, onions, lettuce and flowers.
That is how a specific need became a great tradition. In
1897, the mayor of Oaxaca
inaugurated the first exhibition of radish art. Since then, each year the
Zocalo (main square) welcomes this event where local artists not only
showcase their talent with radishes, but also participate in important
contests to choose the best sculptures. Extremely large radishes are carved
into elaborate scenes and figures and placed on display around the Zocalo,
along with scenes of figures in the “flor inmortal” (immortal
flower: brightly colored, dried straw flowers) and “totomoxtle”
(corn husks).
The radishes used are heavy and long., Different figures
arise from the imagination of the crafter: a dancing figure, perhaps,
fashioned out of the red peel only and perforated like eyelet lace. Now,
with the celebration of Christmas Eve on December 24th, the combination of
traditions is more evident when watching the complete scene: the Zócalo
full of Christmas lights and the line of tourists visiting the exhibition
of radishes in order to choose the one that will be the winner of the year.
You probably wait until the 25th of
December to celebrate Christmas, and everything you do prior to that date
involves a shopping frenzy for gifts. But in Mexico,
a unique tradition called Posadas
is celebrated. It begins nine days prior to Christmas Eve. For Christian
Mexicans, Christmas is a very important religious holiday because it
represents the birth of Jesus Christ.
The term Posada is significant of a shelter; therefore the
celebration consists of asking for lodging just as Mary and Joseph (the
Pilgrims) did when they were on their way to Bethlehem. During these nine days, each
family in a neighborhood takes turns scheduling a night for the Posada to
be held in their home, beginning the 16th of December and ending on the
24th, Christmas’ Eve. Every home is decorated with a Nativity scene
and the neighborhood children and adults are the Pilgrims who have to
request shelter by singing a chant. Only at the third home where they ask
to come in will they be given shelter. Here, they can then come in and
kneel down by the Nativity and pray the Rosary.
After the prayer is finished, the party for the children
begins. A piñata is brought out for the kids, which they have to break
while being blindfolded to reveal the peanuts, oranges, tangerines, sugar
canes, and wrapped hard candy. For the adults, there are also goodies like
Ponche, which is a hot beverage like punch made with seasonal fruits and
cinnamon sticks, with a shot of alcohol to warm up the night!
The Second Most
Visited Catholic Sanctuary in the World
December 12 is one of the most
important holidays in Mexico,
as it is on this day that the nation celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Considered the Mother of all Mexicans, and the Empress of the Americas, the traditional Catholic account
says the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin on the hill of
Tepeyac near Mexico City
from December 9, 1531 through December 12, 1531 and asked him to have the
local Bishop build her a chapel on top of the hill.
When the Bishop refused to believe what Juan Diego was
saying, the Virgin made her image appear on a rag where Juan Diego had
collected roses the Virgin had grown.
This rag is today housed in Mexico
City’s Basilica of Guadalupe, the second most visited
Catholic sanctuary in the world, after the Vatican, and from the early
morning of December 12, Mexicans and guests alike celebrate the Virgin
with mariachis, readings and prayer. International artists, such as
Pavarotti, has considered it a privilege to sing for her and the lineups
can rival any tour. People come from as far away as the Philippines
on pilgrimages that are an event in themselves.
The celebration extends to outside the Basilica in Mexico City.
Basilicas baring her name have been built in the Mexican cities of
Monterrey, in the State of Nuevo Leon, and Zamora, in the State of
Michoacán; the American cities of Dallas, Texas, and La Crosse,
Wisconsin; and Makati City, Philippines. A replica of the painting is
also found in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City where Latinos of every
nationality celebrate our Lady of Guadalupe every December 12.
Although the 500 year old image has not been without
controversy and many scientists have conducted numerous tests on it
---and in 1921, it survived a bomb that destroyed the shrine--- there is
no question that Mexicans, Catholic or not, belong to the
“Guadalupano” cult.
Going Green at LoretoBay Resort
Loreto Bay Resort, an 8,000-acre seaside
community neighboring the historic town of Loreto in Baja California Sur, was
founded on the principles of improving local social and ecological
resources. This belief has created much success for LoretoBay.
It is expected to be the largest sustainable resort development in North America upon its completion, and has attracted
homebuyers with like-minded principles of community service and social
responsibility.
LoretoBay's commitment to
environmental and social sustainability has inspired a series of unique
programs, from a resort initiative to plant "edible gardens" at
nearby schools to a homeowner's selfless endeavor to distribute homemade
goods to the Loreto people and resort residents. For the planting of the
gardens, a two-day program that took place from October 21 to 22, 2008, the
resort purchased and supplied seeds and gardening equipment and trained
staff to instruct students on proper planting techniques to provide freshly
grown food for the daily meals of two nearby schools.
"Our goal is to create a community of LoretoBay and Loreto residents, united for
the good of Loreto," said Amyra Lopez, community liaison for Loreto
Bay Resort. "With initiatives like the edible gardens, which will
continue to grow year-after-year, we are certain to see our vision achieved
and sustained in future generations."
Interested
in writing about Mexico?Learn more about our upcoming Fam trips and see how
you can experience Mexico
first-hand.
Stay tuned
for our 2009 calendar of FAMS
Want to write
about Mexico?
Need ideas or assistance with a story? Contact the Mexico Travel News Bureau directly at
1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com,
or visit our press site at www.visitmexicopress.com.
When most of us hear about sustainable
tourism, ecotourism is usually the first thought that comes to mind. So
what exactly is sustainable tourism and what is ecotourism? Are they the
same? Do they refer to consumers (a market) or to hotels and destinations
(products)? 
Enjoy
the Beautiful Countryside of 
Michoacán: 
During the first three quarters of 2008,
private investment in tourism in 
Deborah Sexton, President and CEO of the
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the leading
organization for meetings and event professionals, said 
If
pampering and first-class amenities are what you seek, indulge yourself and
look no further than “south of the border” into Mexico and some
of its exquisite, unique and luxurious destinations that will be represented
at the Luxury Travel Expo 2008, set to take place in Las Vegas from
December 2nd to the 4th. 
Syncretism
is what makes Mexican culture so special. Most of the traditions that arose
from the integration of two cultures are based on the Catholic religion.
Some authors say that in 
You probably wait until the 25th of
December to celebrate Christmas, and everything you do prior to that date
involves a shopping frenzy for gifts. But in 
December 12 is one of the most
important holidays in 
Loreto Bay Resort, an 8,000-acre seaside
community neighboring the historic town of 