Newlink is the Mexico Tourism Board’s New Agency for Public
Relations in the United States
MEXICO’S INNOVATIVE AND SCENIC PORTS UNITE AT THE 25TH
ANNUAL CRUISE SHIPPING MIAMI
CONVENTION (SEATRADE)
Miami Beach, FL, March 16TH, 2009 –
Starting today, the Mexico Tourism Board is participating in the 25th
annual Cruise Shipping Miami Convention. The event is taking place at the Miami BeachConvention Center until March 19th.
Mexico’s
pavilion will feature the most important Mexican Ports.
Members of the cruise industry will
have the opportunity to learn about the variety and unique ports that Mexico has to offer, among them: Ensenada, Guaymas, Loreto / Santa Rosalía, Cabo San Lucas,
Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo,
Chiapas, Huatulco, Tampico,
Progreso, Mazatlán, Acapulco, Cozumel,
Veracruz, Campeche, Tabasco
and Costa Maya. Representatives from the respective ports will be on hand to
discuss the latest news and improvements. A variety of dignitaries and
secretaries of tourism from Mexico’s
seaports will be present including: Javier Villarreal Teran, from Tamaulipas,
Ivan Hillman from Veracruz, Paloma Rives from Tabasco, Juan Jose Martin from Yucatan,
Juan Carlos Cal from Chiapas,
Alberto Trevino from Baja California Sur, Sergio Marcelino Bravo from Colima,
Aurelio Lopez Rocha from Jalisco and Hector Perez from Guerrero.
Promising and Exciting Panorama in
the Mexican Cruise Industry
A very optimistic future is on its
way for the Mexican Cruise industry with a grand infrastructure plan that
includes building 13 new cruise installations in both established and newcomer
destinations: Puerto Cortes, Cabo San Lucas, Loreto, Guaymas, Mazatlan,
Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Cozumel,
Playa del Carmen and Punta Brava. Two of the installations, one in Puerto Vallarta, were
inaugurated last year. Cruise ships started arriving at Guaymas’ new pier
and terminal in October of 2008. Another development in Mazatlan
is under construction, as well as in Manzanillo, which is in the bidding stages
and a new terminal for Acapulco
is also scheduled for 2009.
During 2008 Mexican ports received
around 3 thousand cruises and welcomed an estimated of 6 million
passengers. Mexico
has an incredible potential for exponential growth; the richness and diversity
of the country plays a key role in the uniqueness of each destination.
The Ministry of Tourism, the port
authorities in conjunction with the destinations are
uniting strategies to maximize the potential of the Mexican ports. Their main
goal is to highlight the unique features of each destination including their
music, history, culture, gastronomy and the variety of activities found in each
port. Another important step is the collaboration and communication
initiatives established among the Ministry of Tourism and local and state
authorities in an effort to maintain every port informed of innovations,
strategies and new developments.
A
Sea of Cortes Route on its Way
The Sea of Cortes’
undeveloped coastlines offer an array of possibilities for a unique and
exhilarating Cruise Route.
Most of the 13 ports are expected to be located in: Puerto Cortes on the
Pacific of Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Loreto in the Sea of Cortes
and Guaymas on the other side of the body of water. This year, the port of Topolobampo, on its 3rd
cruise season south of Guaymas, is planning on receiving 12 visits from the
Holland Americas Ryndam and 4 from the NCL’s Norwegian Sun.
Port of Cabo San Lucas
The Port of Cabo San Lucas
has recently invested more than $204,582,439 dollars and has concluded an
important remodeling of Tender Docks 1 and 2 for the reception of cruise
passengers as well as a renovation of the wharf Pier. Thanks to the
enlargement of Tender Dock 5, they are now in position to receive the M.S.
Mariner of the Seas.
Cruises Discover the Gulf of Mexico
Veracruz, Dos Bocas and Progreso, are new ports of call on the Gulf of Mexico
for HollandAmerica itineraries. On the 21st
of April the major biodiversity region of Mexico will be open to the cruise
passengers of the Zuiderdam. Among some of the main attractions visitors will
encounter are Mayan and Olmec archeological sites and visits to the cocoa
plantations.
Port of Progreso
Progreso is one of the fastest
growing cruise ports of Mexico
and in 2008 became the 6th largest cruise port in Mexico receiving 343,899 passengers
in 2008, a
shocking 43.5% more than the previous year. The unparalleled wonders that the
state of Yucatan has to offer their guests
include Mérida, an amazing colonial city; the archaeological sites of
Dzibichaltun, Uxmal and Chichen Itza, the mystical capital of the
Mayan civilization; incredible food and the warm hospitality of its citizens
are attracting the interest of cruise travelers. The port is located on the
northern shore of the YucatanPeninsula in the heart of the Gulf
of Mexico.
Mexican Caribbean Ports Working at
Full Capacity
Once again the Mexican Caribbean
cruise terminals and ports are operating at their full capacity. Last
October, the ports of Puerta Maya in Cozumel and Costa Maya in
mainland Quintana Roo, began operations, offering two distinctive options to
the cruise industry in the Caribbean. Puerto
Maya emerged as the first terminal in Mexico for the new generations of
cruise ships.
Costa Maya
Costa Maya, one of Mexico’s
largest cruise ports and an emerging destination, recently announced that
Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship, Epic, will make a maiden call to its shores
beginning in the summer of 2010. After recovering from Hurricane Dean the Port
reopened with several improvements to its infrastructure, and the neighboring
fishing village
of Mahahual. Costa
Maya’s new berthing station makes it one of only 4 ports worldwide with
the capability to accommodate the next generation of cruise ships such as F3
and Genesis class types.
With acres of unspoiled coastal land
and strong historic and cultural influences, Costa Maya offers visitors a true
insight into the essence of Mayan culture and the colonial heritage of the
Mexican Caribbean with all of today's conveniences. Set against the deep
turquoise sea, Costa Maya is comprised of three grand pavilions, artisan and
luxury shopping areas, a beach club, saltwater pools, fine restaurants and
bars, and all the resources necessary to explore the area's surrounding jungle
and coral reefs. Costa Maya introduces new and exciting tours from snorkeling
at different levels, zip-lining, to jeep adventures, bike tours, to the more
cultural activities that include visits to the ruins of Kohunlich &
Dzibanche and tropical parks like Uchben Kah where history and nature meet.
The Mexican Riviera and the South Pacific welcome more
cruises and passengers
The “Pacific Dream” of
Pullmantur will depart on May 17th from Acapulco,
visiting the exciting ports of Cabo San Lucas, Manzanillo, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
and Puerto Vallarta.
Attractive 7-day packages will be available for passengers to experience the
spectacular coastline and unique attractions that each destination has to offer
on the PacificCoast.
Port of Chiapas Adventure, Ecotourism and Culture
Puerto Chiapas,
on the border line with Guatemala,
has become a very appealing cruise destination and expects its arrivals to
increase in 2009 with 22 cruises. The port is developing interesting
routes to explore the coffee plantations and haciendas, the exotic flowers, the
mangrove jungle, the ecological reserve of Izapa as well as the amber. With
attractions that range from culture, to adventure and ecotourism, Chiapas is positioning
itself as one of a kind.
About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB)
brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities
and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions
and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s
tourism promotion agency, and its participants include
members of both the private and
public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout
North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America. For more information on
destinations and online trip bookings please go to www.visitmexico.com
.
FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional
ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about
Mexico, please contact the MTB’s U.S. Press Room directly at
1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com
or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com
