March 2017 Newsletter

Southwest Airlines launched flights from Oakland, California to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, Mexico, making them the first international airline flights from the San Francisco Bay Area. The airline offers daily service to the two most popular destinations in the Mexican Riviera. In addition, Southwest Airlines announced that starting April 25th, it will include a new direct route from San Diego, California to San Jose del Cabo / Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Along with the new flights, the airline has international nonstop flights to Mexico, from notable cities including Houston-San Jose del Cabo, Los Angeles-San Jose del Cabo, Los Angeles-Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles-Cancun, Oakland-San Jose, Oakland-Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta-Denver and Miami-Merida.

The 34th edition of the Riviera Nayarit’s Beach Cleanup Network (BCN) took place the same week the destination’s first place position in the number of Certified Clean Beaches was cemented with 12. On this occasion, the news was the addition of 120 new volunteers to the cleanup crew on the Isla de Mexcaltitán. This cleanup is done in anticipation of the Holy Week and Easter vacation season, during which thousands of visitors are expected in all of the Riviera Nayarit’s micro-destinations.The next cleanup of the Islas Marietas National Park is also being planned and programmed at this time, as it’s best to have it done before upcoming the vacation period begins. The cleanups for this 34th edition of the Riviera Nayarit BCN are taking place in Bucerías, La Manzanilla, Playas de Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, Sayulita, San Pancho, La Peñita de Jaltemba, Platanitos, San Blas, Boca de Camichín and the Isla de Mexcaltitán.

Xcaret has been given the green light to begin construction of their recreation and cultural centre concept. The group first submitted the proposal for a new center in March 2016, but had it denied in June of that same year. After reworking details and submitting another application, Xcaret has their project approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). The new Recreational, Cultural and Sports Centre will consist of a modern sports and cultural stadium that will offer swimming pools, play areas and sport courts. The concept will also consist of roads and walkaways, gardens and natural landscape that wIll promote the conservation of the local flora and fauna.The project will also include a large hotel of approximately 600 rooms. The center and hotel will be built on 70 acres in the municipality to their existing projects just south of Playa del Carmen. Existing vegetation recovery program is planned. The total cost for the new Xcaret center will be just under $63 million USD.

Alex was born and raised in Mexico City. His venture in tourism started in 1983 with Krystal hotels.  He knew from the start that the hospitality industry would be his passion.  He relocated to Cancun in 1988 where he continued his hotel career. In 1995 he became a tour guide with Atlantis Submarine where he enjoyed 3 years of showcasing the beautiful turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean. In 1998 Alex decided to expand his career as an International Travel Director and obtained his certification as a licensed tour guide from La Salle University, including first aid training.  He has worked as a group coordinator locally in Cancun as well as internationally with Canadian Meeting and Incentive companies in destinations all over the world.  Alex speaks fluent Spanish and English.  His hobbies include running, badminton and racquetball.