October 2016 Newsletter

The National Commission of Protected Areas (Conanp) announced  the reopening of Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach), also known as La Playa del Amor (the Beach of Love), located within the Marietas Islands National Park off the coast of the Riviera Nayarit, the beach could support visitors every day, upon reopening the total number of visitors will be restricted to 116 per day and visits will be limited to 30 minutes per group. Only boats with 15 or fewer passengers will be allowed in the protected area, and though every visitor will be required to wear a life preserver, no snorkeling or diving equipment will be permitted. The beach will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays each week for ongoing maintenance and monitoring.

Over 100 professionals from the Cancun area participated in the certified meeting specialist classes last week in CANCUN presented by Fernando Compean CMS, CITE, CIS. MIE Chicago account Manager Gabriela Herrera is also a certified CMS. MIE is proud to support our team with furthering there education. Congratulations to all.

Grand Velas Los Cabos,  announces that two star Michelin chef Chef Sidney Schutte will head up  its signature Cocina de Autor restaurant. Netherlands’ rising star Vincent Colauto will be chef de cuisine. Chef Schutte’s Dutch heritage, passion for traveling and four years in Asia shaped his palate and inspires him to present different taste sensations in a single meal. Ingredients themselves are a source of creative inspiration. “My cuisine is distinctive for its outspoken flavors that pop. I create a culinary experience with multiple dishes with the finest ingredients from the best local and international purveyors, and that’s what we’ll do at Cocina de Autor,” said Schutte. Velas Resorts’ Cocina de Autor signature restaurant was originally launched at Grand Velas Riviera Maya where it continues to be overseen by award winning culinary stars Mikel Alonso and Bruno Oteiza, disciples of uber chef Juan

Approval has been given for the creation of another Riviera Maya hotel. With an investment of nearly one billion peso, the project Garza Blanca Resort and Spa Riviera Maya, has been approved. The luxury apartment and condo hotel project, headed by Banco Mercantile del Norte, succeeded in obtaining a land use change of approximately 42 hectares. The approved change of land use will allow the hotel group to construct and operate an all-inclusive hotel resort with 150 three-bedroom apartments and two sets of condo hotels. The hotels will be two 8-level oceanfront buildings and will feature swimming pools, restaurants, bars, outdoor lounging areas and solariums. The hotel will be located north of Playa del Carmen and is expected to open in 2017.