Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newell

News from Mexico

Mexico looking to Gulf of California for next project

According to recently published reports, Fonatur, the Mexican tourism development agency, is eyeing the Gulf of California region for a major development project. Fonatur was behind the development of major resorts areas such as Cancun and Los Cabos.

The agency is scoping 10 locations on the Gulf, with plans to choose one and heavily promote it. Baja California is one of the four states being studied for the possible project that has been described as the equivalent of building three Cancuns. The plans are in the preliminary stages and were discussed at the recent three-day summit at Tijuana’s Grand Hotel.

Mexico's Punta Mita offers Thanksgiving promo

What, no turkey? Punta Mita, the exclusive residential resort near Puerto Vallarta, is offering a Thanksgiving Holiday promotion. The package includes four nights’ lodging in an exclusive villa or condo, a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, two rounds of golf per stay, two 50-minute massages and roundtrip airport transfers. It is priced from US$5,030 to $5,800 plus local taxes. 

Punta Mita's growth spurs early start for Phase II

The popularity of Punta Mita as a luxury, second-home resort on Mexico’s Pacific Coast has prompted El Encanto to begin construction ahead of schedule on Phase II of its master-planned residential community. The international group that is developing El Encanto has sold all the multimillion-dollar residences that comprise Phase I and will offer 22 ocean and golf-view homes in Phase II beginning in October. 

The residences range in price from US$1.2 million to $3 million and have up to 7,291 square feet of interior and outdoor living space. Phase II will also include construction of La Tortuga, an exclusive residence ocean club. When construction is complete, El Encanto will feature 54 homes situated on a terraced hillside overlooking the Bay of Banderas in Punta Mita, a 1,500-acre gated peninsula, 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta. 

Punta Mita is also home to the Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort and 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. A St. Regis Resort & Residences and second Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course are scheduled to open in 2008.

Mexico-Latin America hotel chain expands portfolio 

Grupo Posadas, a hotel operator in Mexico and Latin America, plans to further strengthen its current portfolio of 98 properties with the openings of eight new hotels by the end of 2007. Grupo Posadas will continue growth in 2008 with 10 additional hotel openings, including seven new “Fiesta Inn” locations throughout Mexico.



International News

The World’s Greenest

The latest Reader’s Digest study of the greenest and best places to live has eight European countries in its top 10, with Finland winning the number one position. Italy, Slovenia and France are also in the top 20. And the five greenest, most livable cities? All in Europe! Stockholm tops the list, followed by Oslo, Munich, Paris and Frankfurt.



Health Warnings

Dengue fever outbreak

Numerous destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America are now on official alert for outbreaks of dengue fever. The Pan American Health Organization expects more than one million cases in these regions in 2007. Symptoms include fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and vomiting. The illness is spread usually via mosquitoes or other biting insects found in wet, overgrown areas. No official alerts exist yet for US and Canadian travelers heading to these areas, but seek medical attention if you exhibit these symptoms on the road.


Airline News

Mexico seeks to revoke Azteca’s air concession

The Mexican government announced on October 11 that it is moving to revoke the concession of budget airline Lineas Aereas Azteca after it failed to fix safety problems that led to its grounding six months ago.

The airline was ordered to stop flying in March after inspectors found it was not complying with safety procedures and obligatory training for pilots, technicians and maintenance personnel. The airline was given 90 days plus an additional grace period to fix the problems but failed to do so.

The airline is the second low-cost carrier to be grounded by the government in the past 18 months. AeroCalifornia was suspended in April 2006 for safety reasons but the airline resumed some operations four months later.

Boeing delays Dreamliners

On October 12, the Boeing Company announced a six-month delay in its planned delivery of its 787 Dreamliner, citing “continued challenges completing assembly of the first airplanes.” Boeing was quick to note that the problems stem from supply and are not structural or design-related. The first deliveries are now expected in late 2008. 

Boeing’s Dreamliner is said to use 20 percent less fuel, while also flying faster and farther than other medium-sized jets.

Sources: Travel Agent, OSSN, Associated Press

Judy Newell, a writer and travel industry executive, heads the custom tour company Perfect Journeys that specializes in luxury and adventure travel. Contact her with comments or suggestions at JudyNewell_03@msn.com  or go to her website www.PerfectJourneys.net.