Newlink is the Mexico Tourism Board’s New Agency for Public
Relations in the United States
A TRANSATLANTIC JOURNEY
OF PEACE FROM COZUMEL TO THE WORLD
The Trimaran Zamna begins its journey from the Island of Cozumel to reach
Miami Beach it’s first U.S. stop on its expedition for Peace
Miami, Fl; August 24,
2009— The Island of Cozumel, free of any military conflict since the
ancient Maya, was recently declared the Island of Peace
by the International Committee for the Banner of Peace, a non-governmental
organization affiliated with the UN. And, because of this honor, the island
will be the core leader of a splendid project known as “The Child, the
Sea and Cozumel for Peace,” a symbolic expedition through the Atlantic Ocean delivering a message of universal peace
and acceptance to the world.
Cozumel is an island
that boasts a thriving cruising industry, deep sea diving on some of the best
reefs in the world and a wealth of activities, perfect for any traveler. It is
an island surrounded with people who thrive on the ocean’s turquoise
waters, cherish its natural richness, and embrace it as a mecca for cultural
and ideological encounters and has been chosen to be the standing ground for
this message of peace, conservation and diversity.
The Trimaran Zamna, the ship of peace, will embark its
remarkable journey the 26th of August, on a trip that is expected to
last four and a half months, before reaching its final haven, the Port of Pireus
in Greece.
In its route, the ship will stop in 15 ports, with Miami
Beach being the first city to welcome the ship and its crew in the United States.
The election of this port was not arbitrary, since Miami
Beach and Cozumel established a SisterCity relationship in 1992
to strengthen their bond through artistic, cultural, educational and business
exchanges.
Traveling aboard the vessel, will be a 12 year old
Mayan boy, raised in family of fishermen, who has been chosen as ambassador of Cozumel throughout the entire journey
A welcoming ceremony will be held upon the ship’s
arrival on Saturday, August 29th at 5:00 pm in the Miami Beach Marina.
Matti Herrera-Bower, Miami Beach City Mayor; Ambassador Juan Miguel Gutierrez
Tinoco, General Consul of Mexico in Miami and Teresa Villarreal, Director of
the Mexico Tourism Board in Miami, as well as a group of local children will be
on hand to greet and welcome the arrival of the boy, the Captain and the
ship’s crew. As part of the ceremony, there will be a symbolic
exchange of flags, the Mayan boy will bestow the flag of Mexico and the flag of peace to a Florida child.
The Trimaran Zamna will remain anchored at the Marina for 5 days; during
its stay different events will be held on the ship:
·Sunday, August 30th: The vessel will be
open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in order to allow the local
residents to visit the ship and get familiarized with the project.
·Monday August 31st: A private cocktail will
be offered by the Mexico Tourism Board, for officials, distinguished members of
the local community and press. 6pm
·September 2nd: The Mayan boy and the
committee of Peace will attend the inauguration of the exhibit Portraits
by Mexican painters at the Miami Art Central.
The 3rd of September, the ship of peace
will continue its journey to New York before
heading to Spain, Portugal, Italy,
Tunisia and Egypt on its way to the final destination in Piaro, Greece.
The ship, a unique handcraft wooden masterpiece of 110
feet long and three masts, was built by a team of 40 Mexican ship makers of the
city of Alvarado in the state of Veracruz and will be
commanded by Captain Vital Alsar an experienced and skilled sailor, from a
fishermen family.
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 towww.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
