New Developments in Riviera Nayarit Heighten the Destination’s Bright Future

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  •  Cirque de Soleil Entertainment Park, new airline routes, and an infrastructure boost highlight the new developments

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – Riviera Nayarit is adding impressive hotel brands, stunning renovations, new airline routes and unprecedented entertainment and attractions, as it continues to grow into one of the world’s premier travel destinations. Travel and entertainment brands from around the globe are confident that Riviera Nayarit’s desirable 200 miles of Pacific coast and superb facilities make an ideal destination to collaborate and capitalize on the fame garnered from discerning travelers.

The popularity of the destination has led to the following exciting new developments to the region’s tourism infrastructure:

Vallarta Shores (Playa Los Muertos)

Located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta, the Los Muertos beach, our Sky Suites offer easy access to all sorts of interesting activities while vacationing in this paradise, including world class restaurants, bars, galleries, Canopy, Watersports, ATVs and more...

All our Sky Suites offer incredible views over los muertos beach and Banderas bay beyond, private pools and large living areas to entertain cocktail parties with your friends and/or family. Some of the extra features include a private chef at your service, daily maid service and full hotel amenities.

A Personal Chef is included in all Sky Suite rental rates

One&Only Mandarina

One&Only will make its debut in Riviera Nayarit with the One&Only Mandarina. The property will offer 145 luxurious villas as well as separate private residential estates. The beautiful beachfront resort will embrace the surrounding forest, with villas individually and sparsely placed to encapsulate the marriage of sky, sea and lush flora and fauna.

A beach club and chic pool will feature private cabanas and a poolside café and lounge. A nearby family pool will offer the perfect setting for guests of all ages. Those wishing to experience the best views in Riviera Nayarit will be able to enjoy the spacious bluffside cabanas, which vary in elevation. The resort will also have an indulgent One&Only Spa and Fitness Centre. The resort’s Conference Center will provide the perfect destination for corporate meetings and retreats.

Matlali Hotel (La Cruz de Huanacaxtle)

Matlali, recently opened in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, is just a short 35 minute drive from the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). Nestled in its own nature preserve overlooking Banderas Bay, this boutique hotel was designed by famed beach resort architect Jaime Barba and features 40 villa-style accommodations, each with fully-equipped kitchens, spectacular ocean and mountain views, and separate living and dining areas. This property features a contemporary beach design with embraces playful colors and geometrically designed furnishings. Other facilities include Matawe Spa, infinity pools and a popular nightclub.

Eva Mandarina Beach Club, a local hotspot, is associated with the property. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of Mexican delicacies from seafood ceviches and shrimp aguachile to traditional tacos with the local fresh catch of the day. Intriguing design elements such as yellow rubber ducks, vivid white bicycles adorning the walls and the club’s signature VW Beetle with neon graffiti attract snap-happy visitors. At night, Eva Mandarina becomes a social hub.

Grand Palladium Vallarta (Punta de Mita)

The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa in Northern Banderas Bay has completed four years of renovations, bringing the property to the Grand Palladium’s Five-Star standard. Revamped guest rooms and lobby areas, expanded family amenities and new restaurants, as well as new wedding locations and travel club facilities highlight the biggest transformation undertaken at the property. Children will love the new kids’ pool replete with water slides and fountains. Afterwards the whole family can enjoy a show with the colorful cast of Play at Palladium with Raggs, the colorful singing dog that rocks out with his friends in a band.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta)

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a proud recipient of the AAA Five Diamonds award, recently commenced a gradual $20 million renovation investment that will be completed by 2016. The renovations will include improvements to their oceanfront Azul restaurant as well as the modernization of amenities, furniture and décor of their 131 Master, Parlor and Governor Suites in addition to two suites which accommodate guests with disabilities.

The properties’ world-class spa, selected as one of the Leading Spas of the World, will see new improvements and additions to their hydrothermal circuit, chromotherapy offerings, a bi-thermal and energetic shower as well as an ice fountain with peppermint to balance the health impacts of the sauna. The spa will also welcome a new organic design element, focusing on wood, bamboo and glass fixtures crafted by Mexican artisans.

Marival Resort & Suites (Nuevo Vallarta)

The Marival Resort & Suites are now offering restyled Mediterranean-inspired rooms. Perfectly complimenting the lush surroundings of Riviera Nayarit, the warm colors and new furnishings will make every stay inviting and vibrant. Large glass balcony doors perfectly frame views of the Bay of Banderas where guests can see Humpback Whales seasonally and gorgeous sunsets daily. New oversized showers and remodeled bathrooms provide a luxurious way to start any day in this Mexican beachfront paradise.

AAA Five Diamonds Awards:

The Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta is the newest and fourth hotel property in Riviera Nayarit to be recognized with an AAA Five Diamond award. Grand Luxxe now joins the destination’s three other properties at the highest level of the AAA Diamond Ratings System for restaurants and lodgings: The Four Season Punta Mita, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and the St. Regis Punta Mita

Grand Luxxe offers guests access to exclusive private beaches and pool areas, a Nicklaus-designed golf course with a Greg Norman championship course under construction, the luxury Spatium & Brio Fitness Centers, nighttime entertainment at the Santuario, an array of fine-dining or casual restaurant options and a boutique shopping experience at the newly opened La Plaza dining and shopping center.

New Attractions:

Cirque de Soleil (Nuevo Vallarta)
Cirque du Soleil, the globally acclaimed entertainment company, and Grupo Vidanta, a leading developer of world-class resorts and tourism infrastructure in Mexico, will partner to construct and operate a 300 acre, first-of-its-kind immersive theme park experience in Nuevo Vallarta. Built to inspire dreams and fantasy, the experience will include a water park, nature park and an outdoor evening show for as many as 3,000 to 5,000 spectators. Each experience within the entertainment park will be designed and performed by Cirque du Soleil artists. Construction is expected to be complete in 2018.

Artificial Reefs and New Boardwalks (Bucerías)

An inner harbor project in the beach town of Bucerías will complement the new marina with a boardwalk lined with new stores, restaurants and bars as well as an additional boardwalk constructed for coastal fishing. Construction on these boardwalks will begin at the end of 2015.

Additionally, an artificial reef project, inspired by similar undertakings on the Pacific Coast of Asia, would be nearly 100 feet in length. It will be designed to attract more fish and amplify Bucerías’ coastal fishing reputation. These reefs would also be excellent for diving, as Riviera Nayarit has a robust and diverse fish population.

New Highway Infrastructure Development (Jala / Compostela):

The nearly 34 miles of new highway between Jala and Compostela will be ready for full use by summer 2015. Estimated to serve nearly 10,000 vehicles per week during peak transit periods, the highway will reduce travel time by 50 percent upon completion. This highway will eventually bring Riviera Nayarit’s beaches more access to cities such as Guadalajara and Tepic.

In a unique integration, the highway project takes into consideration endemic wildlife and is designed to provide safe crossings during their migration in order to reduce the highway’s impact on the jaguar population in the region. Migration routes have been mapped by GPS collars placed on the jaguars in order to develop highway crossings at the most appropriate locations. Developments like these help to preserve the natural beauty and native wildlife that have put Riviera Nayarit on the global tourism map. Visitors to Riviera Nayarit will also be able to enjoy rest stops that overlook these paths and natural beauty as well.

New Airline Routes:

Southwest Airlines has received approval for flights from Houston to Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), opening a convenient new way for visitors to enjoy Riviera Nayarit. It is expected that these routes will begin in October 2015. This new route will closely follow the additional new Southwest Airlines route from Santa Ana, California to Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) which will begin on June 7, 2015. These routes are a response to the growing demand of travel to Riviera Nayarit and the rapidly expanding capacity of the destination.

In addition, Alaska Airlines has placed an application requesting approval for flights on a new route between Santa Ana, California to Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) which will take flight three times per week. California continues to be a strong market for visitors traveling to Riviera Nayarit.

For more information on Riviera Nayarit, visit www.rivieranayarit.com.
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About Riviera Nayarit
Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns. Riviera Nayarit is recognized as a “Virtuoso Preferred Destination.” In 2015, Riviera Nayarit was recognised by Travel Weekly as “Mexico's new holiday destination on the Pacific coast,” by Yahoo! Travel as “Mexico's New Playground” and on Conde Nast Traveller UK 2015 Hot Destinations List. For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit's Social Media Facebook Fan Page, @riv_nayarit and Instagram @rivieranayarit.

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First Persian Lime Containers Sent from Jalisco to South Korea

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Persian lime producers from San Martin Hidalgo sent the first two containers of this fruit to South Korea. This amount was sent as samples were sent following the approval of said country’s government, of the positive safety conditions of farming and packaging process.

This was confirmed by Hector Padilla Gutierrez, from the Office of Rural Development, who also said that this shipment ended a commercial negotiation, and, to break through the Asian Market, is a very important step given the fact that we already have the experience with Japan.

The manager of San Martin Hidalgo Selected Citrus Fruits Organization, Marcelino Virgen Hernandez, agrees that the opening of South Korean market represents another opportunity to expand into other markets besides United States –our main market-, Germany, Holland and Poland.

He also said that the acceptance of Jalisco Persian lime in very demanding markets such as North America, Europe and Asia, is a symbol of the success on the fight and prevention of the crop disease known as “Yellow Dragon”; such success has been the result of hard coordinated work with farmers and authorities in charge of monitoring the propagation and the application of healthy plant reproduction, in order to avoid the infiltration of the crop disease in the field.

Jalisco’s Persian lime, produce on land 500 meter above sea level, has to its advantage the right amount of cold weather needed to make them acquire that dark green color, which is very different in color from those produce in coast land; this is very valuable to foreign markets who demand a certain kind of looks in the product.

SEDER has been constantly involved with what it has been the San Martin Hidalgo citrus fruit experience, where they have planted of 700 hectares, and where fifteen years ago the decision to go from cultivating sugar cane and grains to cultivate Persian lime was taken.
The success of this product in the Valley Region has activated plans to start a new plantation of at least one hundred hectares. Profits are currently very good: 40 to 50 thousand pesos (about US $ 2,500 - 3,500) net, per hectare. This is a very good incentive, especially if compared to small profits in other products.

The average profit on the exported and domestic sells, takes into consideration the ups and downs of the prices of lime in certain times of the year, above all when regions like Apatzingan, Michoacán; Tecoman, Colima and Martinez de la Torre, Veracruz have a good harvest.

FACTS

In recent years, the exportation sell volume of Jalisco Persian Lime went up considerably. It went from three thousand to ten or twelve thousand tons.
One hectare produces 20 to 50 tons of Persian lime.
A mature orchard gives 20 to 50 tons per hectare.

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[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

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Travelers to Mexico are Getting Their Money Back with MONEYBACK

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Puerto Vallarta.- For many, shopping is an intrinsic – not to mention essential – element of the travel experience. In Mexico, the shopping experience also offers significant savings opportunities, thanks to MONEYBACK, which provides value-added tax (VAT) returns to international travelers.

“To receive almost 9 percent of your shopping expenses back provides a great incentive to shop,” said Danielle Van der Kwartel, the company’s general director, adding that MONEYBACK works closely with travel agents to train them on how to help their clients capitalize on the company’s services. “These clients will go back to the travel agent because they value great service.”

MONEYBACK’s Web site includes a wide array of resources for agents, including presentations, webinars, refund forms and updates on how to best facilitate tax returns. Agents can also download refund forms from the site and fill them out before their clients depart for Mexico. “We’ll have monthly raffles starting in April to give away a prize to a travel agent randomly, using the refund forms that include travel agent names,” Van der Kwartel said.

MONEYBACK was launched in 2008 with offices in Mexico City and Los Cabos. “It was created with the intention of giving back to international travelers by offering them a tax refund service in a fast and simple way,” said Van der Kwartel.

“MONEYBACK provides international travelers with refunds of 8.9 percent on the total amount they spend when shopping in Mexico. “All international travelers traveling to Mexico by cruise or air are eligible to receive it,” said Van der Kwartel.

Best of all, MONEYBACK makes it easy to obtain refunds. “Participating stores can be identified by the MONEYBACK logos displayed in windows or next to the check-out areas,” she said. Travelers can also obtain the complete roster of participating stores, which are listed by category, on the MONEYBACK Web site under the Shop Here tab.

Since its inception, MONEYBACK has expanded its reach dramatically. “Nowadays we provide service in more than 98 percent of Mexico’s air and maritime points of departure,” said Van der Kwartel. “In 2012 we had 16 offices, and today we have 55, including nine in cruise ports, 27 in shopping malls or stores and 19 in international airports.” By the end of 2015 the company will open new offices at three airports and three cruise ports, finishing the year with more than 60 offices nationwide, she said. “In 2014 we processed 72,438 refunds, totaling over 1,358 billion pesos.”

Van der Kwartel said that cruise passengers generate the highest sales. “They spend over three times more in shopping than tourists coming by plane,” she said. So far this year, MONEYBACK has unveiled eight new offices in Mazatlán, Ensenada, Loreto, Chiapas and Progreso to serve cruise passengers, and in Leon, Queretaro and Toluca to cater to business travelers. It also has offices in Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

To file for refunds, international travelers must request VAT-itemized invoices at any of 6,000 participating stores where they make purchases and then submit at the closest MONEYBACK offices with shopping incentive refund forms, credit card vouchers, copy of passports, cruise IDs or immigration forms and boarding pass prior to departing Mexico. “In less than 45 days, they’ll receive their refunds directly onto the credit cards of their choice,” said Van der Kwartel.

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Retailer Femsa Emerges as Surprise Winner From Mexico Oil Plans

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Puerto Vallarta.- While crude producers see delays in promised auctions that will end the state monopoly on drilling, retailer Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB is taking advantage of a low-profile change letting gas stations bypass Petroleos Mexicanos to market any gasoline of their choice.

Femsa surged the most since 2012 on Feb. 26 after agreeing to acquire 227 gas stations, and it’s seeking to add even more pumps to complement the Oxxo shops whose red-and-white signs are fixtures across the country. The shares are beating the benchmark IPC index in 2015 as well as Alfa SAB, which invests in drilling, and petrochemical supplier Mexichem SAB.

“No one saw this coming,” Jose Maria Flores, an analyst at Ve Por Mas SA, said in a telephone interview. “A beer seller is gaining from the energy reform.”

Alfa and Mexichem are falling this year as the global rout in crude prices slows the implementation of the privatization law. At the same time, controls are coming off of private ownership of gas stations.

Ironic Benefits

“It’s ironic that companies related to oil aren’t seeing benefits, and those that have nothing to do with the industry are benefiting directly,” Cristina Morales, a Signum Research analyst, said in a telephone interview. “We’re seeing an upside to the energy reform that wasn’t so obvious.”

Femsa gained 1.4 percent to 142.06 pesos at 9:49 a.m. in Mexico City. The shares had risen 7 percent this year through Monday, outpacing the 1.9 percent gain for the IPC index. Alfa had dropped 3.4 percent and Mexichem declined 6.4 percent. Ve Por Mas’s Flores doesn’t rate Femsa, while Morales has a buy recommendation.

Neither Monterrey-based Femsa nor Alfa would comment on the possible effect of the energy overhaul on their stocks. Mexichem didn’t respond to requests for comment.

An Energy Ministry press official, when reached for comment, pointed out a March 9 speech by Minister Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, who said that the energy law’s implementation was advancing with “efficacy and agility.”

Femsa already had operated some services in the 227 stations, which the company said generated 16.2 billion pesos ($1.1 billion) in sales of gasoline and related products in 2014.

“With the new regulatory framework resulting from the energy reform in Mexico, we will be able to open franchises ourselves,” Chief Financial Officer Javier Astaburuaga said on a Feb. 26 conference call.

Margin Pressure

Gas stations offer very profitable returns on investments, although they can lower operating margins for Femsa Comercio, the company’s convenience store arm, Astaburuaga said. Femsa’s fourth-quarter net income of 7.25 billion pesos beat analysts’ estimates of 5.95 billion pesos.

Mexico passed legislation in 2013 to end state-owned Pemex’s production monopoly, which dated to 1938, and allow foreign companies to develop fields. The government projects that opening up the industry will generate $62.5 billion in investments by 2018.

Oil and petrochemical producers in the country probably will still benefit from the influx of foreign cash once drilling is under way, while food companies will be helped as increased output cuts power costs, according to Veronica Uribe, an analyst at Monex Casa de Bolsa. She dropped her rating on Femsa to sell from hold in February after a 27 percent stock rally in a year pushed the shares close to her price target.

In the meantime, she sees a company whose beer and alcohol sales account for about 20 percent of its convenience-store revenue making off with the winnings.

“It’s very positive,” Uribe said. “The gas stations will generate traffic to Oxxo stores and Oxxos will generate traffic in gas stations.”

--With assistance from Adam Williams in Mexico City.

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Mexico Gov't Still Eyeing 5 pct Growth in 2018

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Mexican Finance Secretary Luis Videgaray said the government still expects a series of recent economic reforms will lead to growth of 5 percent by the end of President Enrique Peña Nieto's six-year term in 2018.

"I don't have the slightest doubt that Mexico will have sustainable average growth rates in that range," Videgaray said in an interview published Monday by El Universal newspaper.

Though acknowledging that growth conditions depend on external and cyclical factors, the minister said the "potential" to be unleashed by structural overhauls in the energy, telecommunications, labor and financial sectors will help fuel economic expansion.

Provided that the overhauls are implemented "in a thorough and timely manner," the growth forecasts will be met, according to Videgaray.

He also stressed the importance of an annual document that provides an overview of Mexico's economic picture and will serve as a guide for the country's economic policy in 2016.

That panorama includes a "high degree of uncertainty" in global markets, capital flows triggered by monetary policy, particularly in the United States, and sharply lower oil prices, which the minister said earlier this month will put a strain on Mexico's public finances next year.

Despite the challenges, the minister said the 2016 budget will not include cuts in areas such as pensions, although funding for government programs and ministries will come under review.

Regarding expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, Videgaray said if that happens it will be up to Mexico's central bank to make an independent decision on whether to follow suit and raise its benchmark rate from its record-low level.

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Mexico's Lodging Sector Remains an Appealing Environment for Investment

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Given strengthening industrial activity, increases in foreign direct investment and recent political reforms, the long-term outlook for Mexico's economy - and lodging sector - is strong.

Benefiting from steady growth in operating performance, the hotel investment climate has remained healthy with transaction volume in 2014 near $500 million for the third consecutive year.

Our latest research report covers key investment trends in Mexico's lodging sector as well as a review of the key Mexico City, Cancun, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta markets.

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Tacos Are on Credit as Street Vendors in Mexico Use Apps

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- In Mexico city, known for its sprawling street markets, consumers are shunning cash and opting for credit cards they swipe on merchants’ smartphones to pay for everything from shoes to tacos.

“People will always ask, ‘do you take cards?’, and if you do, they’ll go ‘I want this, I want that,’” said Jorge Preciado, who promotes and recruits vendors to sell their wares in markets across Mexico, such as Bazar Condesa. “Cash will always
circulate, but paying with a card is going to become the norm,” he said in a phone interview.

541386193 NextelMexicoInt

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The Dollar at Its Highest Level Since March 2009

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The current exchange rate for the retail trade is 15.55 pesos to $1.00, according to Banamax data; its highest level since March 2009, and 15.20 pesos per $1.00 for wholesale trade; which is also the highest in the last seven years.

The Dollar is getting stronger in the international market because of the uncertainty of the Brazilian and Euro zone economy and the perspective of the labor market in the United States.

The European Central Bank (BCE) published its last monetary policy, and it was decided to maintain interest rates as they currently are. BCE president, Mario Draghi, at a press conference, pointed out the program to buy bonuses will start on March 9, with an amount of sixty thousand Euros a month, and will continue until September 2016, or when inflation goes as far as to 2 % down.

On the other hand, In the United States, the initial applications for unemployment went up by 7, 000, reaching its highest level in nine months last week, and incrementing unemployment application to 320,000, much higher than what the market was expecting.

However, since unemployment applications tend to be unpredictable and are affected by seasonal factors, February agricultural payroll data are still the principal indicators for the exchange rate market, and also for determining the United States’ labor market trend; a Bank basic analysis points out.
An additional factor, that could also be putting some pressure to the parity exchange rate, is the circumstances of the Brazilian economy, and the depreciation of the Real against the dollar, which has reached levels never seen in the last ten years.

Furthermore, the share markets in Mexico and United Stated report earnings. The Dow Jones was going up 0.15% while the Price and Quotes Index were moving with a 0.91% profit.


[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

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JALISCO EXPORTS BULL FROG MEAT TO THE UNITED

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Fifteen years ago, bull frog meat was something entirely unknown in Jalisco. Now a days, this amphibious can be found in 15 cattle farms in Jalisco, and some owners have already started to export its meat to United States; which means a substantial development for the cattle farmers, said Ruben Ruiz Medina, Biologist Promoter for Jalisco Secretary of Rural Development.

He also said that that exportation is done through a Queretaro company, certified for this purpose. Bull frog meat exportation from Jalisco’s cattle farms is a big incentive to consolidate its reproduction and to increase the supply and demand of this meat, in the local, as well as in the international market.
The yearly volume that these Jalisco cattle farms generate are of about 20 tons, out of which two were exported last year, while to this date in 2015; half a ton has already been exported.

The good results that one can see in this kind of business make farmers look at this activity a very lucrative one, in such a way that there are three new cattle farm projects already under construction, some with a capacity of producing 20 tons of meet per year.

Ruiz Medina emphasized that an expert in bull frog breeder can produce a kilo of meat for an average of 60 pesos, and could sell it for 140 pesos. However, he did say that for the business to be sufficiently profitable, each farm requires to produce at least two tons of meat a year.

Another alternative is to sell the bull frog live; they can be sold for 90 to 100 pesos a kilo. Demand for the live specimen can be found especially at Science, Medical-biologist kind of educational institutions, since the anatomy configuration of the animal lends itself to experimentation.

As a fact, SEDER biologist mentioned that there is currently a demand of 60 to 80 animals a year in the United States; which represents a valuable niche for business in the bull frog breeding in Mexico, of which Jalisco is already part.

He also pointed out that there are some technical demands which are hard to avoid, such as the dimension of the installations, which required sheltered space of 300 to 350 square meters to generate a proper surrounding for breeding, and the control of humidity, temperature, lighting and water quality, among other things.

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Joint Promotion Spurs Activity In Colombia

col1Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- The participation of the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta in the Experiencia Aviatur and the Feria Anato, the most important tourism business event in Colombia, boosted the positioning of the destination in this emerging market.

Inflation goes up to 3.4 % the First Two Weeks of February

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal. - Inflation was up to 3.04 % by the second week of February, which represents an increase of 0.11 % in relation to the second week of January.
According to the Statistic and Geographic National Institute, at this same time in 2014, consumers had suffered a yearly inflation of 4.21 % and a biweekly inflation of 0.12%.

The figures above are based on the underlying indicator which removes the prices that have greater impact and volatility, such as the energy sector, thus allowing the conclusion that the biweekly inflation was 0.28%.

Among the underlying services, general merchandise registered a percentage increase of 0.36 on the first two weeks of February; while other services, such as housing and education, suffered 0.21 % increase.

Meanwhile, still comparing with the first two weeks of January, farming products went down 0.98% and government fees such as energy products were reduced by 0.08% even though their annual impact on the inflation rate was 0.41%.

Banco de Mexico expects the annual inflation rate for 2015 will remain at around 3%. The inflation rate will be lower during the first semester of the year while the second semester will experience a higher inflation rate.

They also pointed out that inflation could go up if the peso stays for a long time as it is now (15 to $1), and cannot be brought back to 12.80 to $1 as it used to be.

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

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Forbes and Travel & Leisure Place Riviera Nayarit Hotels On Their Lists Of Top Properties

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Punta Mita is validated as the most exclusive development in Mexico with the appearance of the St. Regis and Four Seasons hotels on the list of top hotels from around the world; U.S. News Travel also included Villa La Estancia and Grand Velas.

The Riviera Nayarit’s excellent hotel infrastructure was front and center on the lists of the best hotels in Mexico—and the world. Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure and U.S. News Travel have spotlighted the Riviera Nayarit, much as TripAdvisor recently did.

On this occasion, the kudos went to St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.

Travel + Leisure’s annual list of the Top 500 Hotels in the World for 2015 included two of the destination’s hotels: St. Regis y Four Seasons. The list of the World’s Top 50 Hotels included the St. Regis at no. 16.

Forbes Travel Guide’s exclusive selection of top resorts from around the world included properties from the Riviera Nayarit’s Glamour Peninsula: Four Seasons was awarded five stars, while St. Regis received four stars.

Another important travel page, U.S. News Travel, highlighted four of the Riviera Nayarit’s resorts as the best in the country: St. Regis took 3rd place; Villa La Estancia was in 14th; Four Seasons followed in 15th place and Grand Velas took 25th place.

Though it might seem somewhat less well-known, U.S. News Travel boasts 33 million visits per month, with approximately 150 million page views during the same time period—not inconsiderable numbers, to be sure.

Below please find the complete lists:
Travel + Leisure
Top 500- Latin America
http://www.travelandleisure.com/tl500/2015/region/mexico-central-south-america.
Top 50
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-best-hotels-2014/2

Forbes Travel Guide
http://www.forbestravelguide.com/about/awardwinners

U.S. News Travel

http://travel.usnews.com/features/2015-Best-Hotels-in-Mexico-Winners/.

 

Takeoff for Blue Label Mexico

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shop in Johannesburg’s CBD. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES

Puerto Vallarta, Jal- LOSSES that have dogged Blue Label Mexico are set to become a thing of the past soon, much to the relief to the South African prepaid company.

Its parent company, Blue Label Telecoms, is South Africa’s largest vendor of prepaid airtime and electricity. While business is pumping in South Africa — it announced a 15% rise in headline earnings for the six months to November — the Mexican business has been a big drag on the company’s performance.

Mark Levy, joint CEO along with his brother Brett, said that had the Mexican business broken even, headline earnings would have been up 34%.

In all, Blue Label Mexico, in which Levy’s company holds a 40% stake, grew by R14.5-million to R45-million, despite a 20% increase in revenue for sales of prepaid airtime and payment of services.

Sorting out Mexico has remained an overhang on Blue Label’s shares — the stock moved up only 1.3% over the last year, compared to an 11.7% gain in the JSE’s All Share index over that time — but it seems there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Blue Label touched a three-day high of R8.65 on Wednesday when results were published

The company is expected to get a boost from new rules implemented by Mexico’s telecoms regulator, which has attracted a flurry of new wireless competitors. Although this led initially to a steep cut in commission from airtime sales in that country, it could be a blessing in disguise.

Levy said that for the first time outside of South Africa, Blue Label would now be able to distribute more sim cards in Mexico, which would help it create an annuity revenue from a wider distribution network. Previously, Blue Label was limited by the fact that it had been contracted to sell exclusively for billionaire Carlos Slim, owner of Telcel, which had 70% of the mobile telephony market.

Blue Label Mexico owns the largest private network of point-of-sale devices — 75 000 — in Mexico.

Blue Label has now signed up several other cellphone companies on whose behalf it will distribute airtime. It intends to grow revenue from these clients from 15% to 30%.

The Mexican business began trading in August 2009. By 2013, it had a combined R113-million in losses — of which Blue Label’s share was R51-million.

But Levy’s company has plans to branch out in Mexico. In particular, there is also a big market in Mexico for vending food vouchers.

“If our strategy and vision is correct, people must hang in there. That’s the game plan.”

Back in South Africa, Blue Label’s commission from electricity sales grew 18% to R79-million and prepaid airtime vouchers revenue jumped 65% to R1.2-billion. Margins increased too, as pretax profit climbed 17% to R417-million.

In South Africa, the company is pursuing growth in selling prepaid water vouchers, as prepaid water meters are gaining prevalence.

• This article was first published in Sunday Times: Business Times

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