April 11, 2008, SAPICA Footwear Fair, By Atención staff, Travel News You Can Use, By Judy Newell

The city of León, Guanajuato, is the most important footwear producer in Mexico and the fourth world wide.

A high percentage of the population is dedicated to tanning and processing leather, as well as to the fabrication of leather goods, their preparation and commercialization.

Since 1645 the manufacture of footwear existed in León, but until the year 1808 it began to constitute like union. With the flood of 1888, many shoemakers left the city but thanks to economic support the footwear industry resurged stronger.

The first footwear fair in Mexico City imitated the New York one. Later the places were rotated and the tenth fair went to León with so much success that the following event was held there again. For differences between the representatives of the different Chambers, the National Exhibition didn’t take place anymore, but the producers of the León fair retook it.

The first SAPICA (Hall of Leather and Footwear) was celebrated in June of 1974. It simplified the work of the footwear producers, the time and the costs of the business. Sales could be increased enormously, because new products and manufacturing material were exhibited at these fairs.

Twice per year SAPICA reunites footwear manufacturers, suppliers, leather goods makers and machinery used in this work. Autumn-Winter fashions are presented at the April show and Spring-Summer trends in September. Buyers from all parts of the world visit the exhibition.

The event is held in the Poliforum León, the most important enclosure of Mexico and Latin America because of its infrastructure and its capacity of 45,000 square meters of exhibition space that during this event is totally occupied with 850 exhibitors.

SAPICA counts on nine pavilions distributed in two buildings that are connected, a food pavilion and an area where fashion parades of important Mexican designers are made. This show features Ximena Valero and Ricardo Seco. The pavilions present shoes for ladies, men and children; for sport, fashion and casual; for western, leather shop and new entrepreneurs.

In addition to the footwear, bags, jackets, belts and boots exhibitors' booths, SAPICA has conferences and events for the assistants. After an arduous day of work they can amuse themselves and socialize with the other participants of this mammoth event.

The SAPICA Footwear Fair opens its doors from Thursday, April 27 to Sunday, April 30, from 9am to 8pm. It receives more than 35.000 visitors. The city of León is waiting for you; visit SAPICA and also visit and know other attractions that this city has for you.

For more information, visit: www.sapica.com.

Travel News You Can Use
By Judy Newe

After a standoff lasting almost three hours, police shot and killed a man armed with explosives who took 10 Australians hostage on a tourist bus in the northern city of Xian on March 25. An official with the Australian Embassy in Beijing said the tourists were freed unharmed.

Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith said the hijacker’s motives were not known. “There is no indication this was particularly aimed at Australia or Australians,” he said. China is normally a safe destination for tourists, but more problems have arisen recently, especially robberies of foreigners.

Yellow fever scare in Latin America

Although the US State Department hasn’t issued any travel warnings regarding a possible yellow fever outbreak in South America, tourism officials are advising all travelers to stay updated on the latest news before going forward with vacations.

According to published reports in late February, the World Health Organization confirmed the first cases of yellow fever in an urban area of Latin America in six decades. The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease was confirmed in Asunción, Paraguay.

Tour operator Avanti Destinations, which specializes in Latin America tours, says “travel to South America remains strong—it is a great travel value, especially recently, and there is lots to see and do. The yellow fever concern at this time relates to certain areas only.”

For those areas, a yellow fever shot is mandatory. For other areas, it is recommended, but not mandatory. As is the case with many other travel destinations, getting a precautionary shot before leaving is a good idea.

Sea World coming to Dubai

Busch Entertainment Corporation says that it has signed an agreement with Nakheel PJSC, one of the world’s largest property developers, to create the Worlds of Discovery, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove on The Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai. Preliminary design work and site planning is underway, with the first phase expected to open in 2012.

The deal calls for the phased construction of four theme parks on the second of the company’s three Palm man-made island developments. Nakheel’s plans for The Palm Jebel Ali, currently the world’s largest man-made island, also call for the development of commercial, residential and shopping districts, as well as resort hotels and restaurants.
First DreamWorks Animation Theme Park in Dubai

Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, and the Hollywood studio DreamWorks Animation (which produced the Shrek movies, Madagascar and Flushed Away) have allied to create the first DreamWorks Animation Theme Park in Dubailand—an entertainment destination that spans three billion square feet. The two companies will also develop DreamWorks Animation-themed restaurants, hotels and retail outlets in the area.

Airlines

More nonstops to Europe

“Open Skies” started on March 30, a set of new rules that allows US and EU airlines to operate transatlantic flights between any cities they like. Virgin Atlantic, for instance, could operate Paris-New York or Rome-Atlanta flights, without originating the flights from Britain.

The largest immediate change is at Heathrow airport. Starting in April, more than 100 new flights per week between the US and Heathrow will take off. Until now, only four airlines could offer service to the US from London’s Heathrow Airport: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United and American.

Later this year, Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways will begin flying into Heathrow, which is much closer to central London than Gatwick, the airport at which most Americans now arrive. Prices may or may not drop.

JetBlue offers more legroom for a fee

Starting in April, JetBlue will offer passengers a chance to sit in seats that have 38 inches of legroom—for a fee. That’s four more inches of legroom than the other seats on JetBlue’s larger planes.

The goal, not surprisingly, is to add more revenue. Fees will start as low as US$10 one-way for short-haul flights and must be paid for at the time of ticket purchase. The additional legroom on the longest journeys will cost an extra US$20 one-way.

Earlier this month, JetBlue inaugurated its first routes from Orlando to 18 cities, including daily nonstop service to Santo Domingo and Cancún. Later this year, daily nonstop service begins to Bogota. The airline continues to fly daily to Puerto Rico.

Federal court strikes down NY air passenger law

A federal appeals court struck down the nation’s first law forcing airlines to provide food, water, clean toilets and fresh air to passengers stuck in planes delayed on the ground at airports. The judges applauded the intent of the New York state law, but they ruled that only the federal government has the authority to enact laws regulating the price, route, or service of an airline.

News from Mexico

Website offers auto insurance to US travelers heading to Mexico

Mexican auto insurance is now being offered to US drivers through the website TotalTravelInsurance.com. Although it is not mandatory to purchase Mexican auto insurance when crossing into Mexico, US or Canadian auto insurance will not suffice. The driver must have proof of Mexican insurance or be able to pay for damages.

Travelers can access a free quote from the site. A variety of coverage amounts and deductibles are available. However, it is recommended that when buying coverage, it should equal the coverage amount of your domestic auto insurance.

Sources: Associated Press, Travel Agent Mexico News, Travel Agent, Budget Travel, OSSN

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.