Press Release – For immediate release

Mexico’s new hottest destination expands

RIVIERA NAYARIT TO GAIN 108 KM ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST OF MEXICO

• Launched in 2007, Riviera Nayarit is at the forefront of high-quality tourism development on the Pacific Coast of Mexico

• This new stretch will link together Nuevo Vallarta and the future large-scale resort town of Escuinapa

• Pacific coast resorts are expanding quickly, offering diverse attractions in a blessed natural setting

  Riviera Nayarit (Nayarit), Mexico - October 27, 2008

Based on the success of Riviera Nayarit, and planned investments in major new tourism developments in the region, Governor Ney Gonzalez of the state of Nayarit, Mexico has just announced that Riviera Nayarit will expand to encompass the entire coastline in the state of Nayarit. 

Riviera Nayarit was launched in spring 2007, encompassing 112 miles (180 km.) along the coast of the state of Nayarit from Nuevo Vallarta, just north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, to colonial town of San Blas. The new Riviera Nayarit extends from Nuevo Vallarta 192 miles (307 km) along the coast of Nayarit to its border with the state of Sinaloa. The new, utterly undeveloped terrain is a blend of mangroves and Pacific beaches.

The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches. 

Spectacular growth for a spectacular destination
Riviera Nayarit's success as a destination has been spectacular. Despite being a new destination, this is the second year that Riviera Nayarit has been the fourth highest tourism destination in Mexico in capturing investment, including a 12.5% increase in 2007. Over $350 million was committed to 35 projects spread across several key areas in Riviera Nayarit, including Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, Litibu and Flamingos. Almost three-quarters of the investments come from interests in Mexico and 10% from American companies.

Since 2005, the Mexican government has invested $1.5 billion in tourism facilities and infrastructure in Riviera Nayarit, including a major new highway system under construction. While the majority of hotel development in Nayarit is by Spanish brands, high-level American brands currently in the market or planned for the future include: St. Regis, Four Seasons, Hyatt and Capella.

Pristine beaches, from Nuevo Vallarta to Escuinapa
Mexico's tourism authorities announced last month they were launching the largest tourism project of the last quarter century, in the neighbouring state of Sinaloa. Located in the southern part of this state and accessed via Mazatlán's international airport, the future resort town of Escuinapa is set to occupy an area twice as large as Cancun, and should receive up to 3 million visitors a year by 2025.

With the announced expansion of the Riviera Nayarit, the Pacific Coast of Mexico will soon boast an almost uninterrupted line of resort destinations with pristine beaches going from Nuevo Vallarta (Jalisco) to Escuinapa (Sinaloa). This unique area in a beautiful setting made of mangroves and the lush nature of the Mexican Pacific Coast is one of the most promising tourism development worldwide.

So far, the young Riviera Nayarit reports the highest hotel occupancy rates in Mexico. To date in 2008, the average occupancy of hotels that are members of the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau has topped 79%, with highest occupancy in the months of January, February, March and July. 
 

For more information about Riviera Nayarit visit www.RivieraNayarit.com

For more information about tourism in Mexico, and to try the new online reservation engine, please visit www.visitmexico.com

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 nationally and 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, Asia and Latin America.

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