Category Archives: Upcoming Travel

2014 Tianguis Turistico in Cancun

Mexico’s annual Tianguis Turistico will be held in Cancun next year. Tianguis is the most important travel trade show in Mexico, providing an important platform for travel industry professionals to meet with hundreds of  Mexico tourism service providers. Unlike other travel trade shows, the three day event is entirely focused on one destination and topic: the promotion of Mexico.

Tianguis Turistico in Cancun and Riviera Maya

For 36 years straight, the event was held in Acapulco, Guerrero before making its first move to Puerto Vallarta in 2012. Deciding which city to host the event after 36 years was not an easy task; destinations had to submit proposals as to why they should be host and prove they have the infrastructure required. It is clear why Cancun was chosen for 2014; it has over 32,000 hotel rooms (70,000+ if you include the Riviera Maya), several AAA  4 and 5 Diamond properties, the largest Latin American international airport with the most connectivity and high quality services and framework.

Cancun has already started preparations for Tianguis Turistico. The Mexico Tourism Board is making an initial investment of 40 million pesos, while federal and state government in Quintana Roo will invest 80 million pesos. In an interview with MexicoNews.Travel, Robert Borge Angula, Governor of Quintana Roo, said, “We are already preparing and doing very well with the first arrangements, regarding the productions of such a important event, while also evaluating all the areas of the event. We are very well prepared and we would like to have at least two venues for the fair.”  Later it was announced that the main host for the event will be the Moon Palace Resort on the southern part of Cancun’s Peninsula.The Cancun Center and Xcaret are also being considered as a venue for opening and closing ceremonies.
Moon Palace Tianguis Turisitico Riviera Maya

Cancun strip ariel shot

The event dates are still not set, but it is speculated to be held in May instead of March or April.
Juan Carlos González Hernández, Minister of Tourism for Quintana Roo, is requesting this change because he says “[March through April] is a period in which hotel occupancy rates are an average of 92%, which would complicate the touistic festivities.” Cancun is also setting expectations for attendees; while 2013 Tianguis Turistico in Puebla was record breaking, Cancun is expecting to surpass it with at least 45 different countries present. Angula commented on the goal, ”[Quintana Roo] is a very well positioned state not only in Mexico, but also in the whole Caribbean as well as Latin America…”

If you’re anticipating to attend this travel fair, you can get more information on their website http://tianguisturisticomexico.com.mx/, or by staying tuned on our blog. If you plan on visiting Cancun/Riviera Maya for any reason, give Journey Yucatan a call. We can help you choose the best accommodations for your stay and give you valuable inside information about the best things to do in this lovely part of Mexico.

Puebla City Highlights from Tianguis Turistico

The most important event in Mexico’s tourism, Tianguis Turistico, continues to grow as expectations in terms of buyers and attendance have exceeded and broken record the past two years. Being held for the first time in Puebla, the 38th edition Tianguis Turistico was the largest in terms of countries represented — with over 42 present. For the 25,000+ attendees, events, parties, lunches, and tours were held all around the city. Puebla dazzled and delighted its visitors during the four day event showing off their cultural and historical highlights that warrants the recognition to be named a  UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here are some of the places highlighted in Puebla during Tianguis Turistico:

Civic Center Cinco de Mayo
The Puebla Convention Center is located on the foothills of the Cerro Los Fuertes de Loreto y Guadalupe, which is where the Battle of Puebla on May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) took place back in 1862. Today, the Civic Center Cinco de Mayo remains as a place of major importance in the history of Mexico and is commemorated by memorial monuments, the old fort structures Fuerte de Loreto and Fuerte de Guadalupe,  and interactive museums of military history and talavera.

Cinco de Mayo Forts

Centro Historico
The Historic Centre of Puebla, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, preserves over 2,500 monuments distributed across 391 blocks making Puebla the city with the largest number of monuments in the Americas. In the Historic Centre of Puebla, colorful, colonial architecture dominates and is strewn with unique cathedrals and churches, world-renowned gastronomy, bazaars and artisans.

Historic Center in Puebla - The Cathedral

Museo Nacional de los Ferrocarriles
An important piece of history, the Ferrocariles Mexicanos (Mexican Railway) Train Station was close to being demolished in the 1970s but was rescued for its declaration as cultural heritage. It later turned into a museum that today demonstrates the importance of its construction and locomotive engines that helped the development of the railway system in Mexico.

Mexican Railway Museum

La Purificadora
Located in the Historical Center of Puebla, La Purificadora has converted from a late 19th-century factory once used to purify water for the production of ice to a trendy, boutique hotel. The hotel offers one of the best views of Puebla, overlooking San Francisco Church and beautiful gardens.

Boutique Hotel in Puebla

Cholula (Archaeological Site)
A newly recognized Pueblo Magico (Magical Town), Cholula is best known for its grand pyramid on which rests the large yellow church, Iglesia de los Remedios with a dramatic backdrop of the Popocatépetl Volcano. The pyramid, which is the largest pyramid in the world, is made up of sever overlaid pyramids built over a six century period. Today, the archaeological site includes ruins, tunnels, and a museum.
Cholula Archaeological Site

 El Mural de los Poblanos
Puebla is home to some of the most popular dishes in Mexican gastronomy and El Mural de los Poblanos restaurant is where you can find the some of these traditional Poblano treats. The house specialties are cemitas, chile relleno, and five kinds of mole all served up in an authentic and elegant wayThey also have a wide selection of mezcales and tequila, mexican wines and cooking classes and workshops.

El Mural de los Poblanos

All photos taken from www.puebla.travel

Copper Canyon FAM Trip

Once a year, Journey Mexico operates a FAM trip through The Copper Canyon to discover what might be Mexico’s most adventurous state. This year the 10 day FAM will cover both South Baja and The Copper Canyon over May 5th to May 14th.

The trip begins in Los Cabos, inspecting some of the most high-end hotels including One & Only Palmilla, Ventanas al Paraiso, Capella Pedregal and Esperanza Resort. A little beach and culture time come next with a stop off in the Pueblo Magico of Todos Santos before making our way to La Paz and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Isla Espiritu Santo.

Blog One and ONly

 

After 5 days in Baja California Sur, attendees will board a private plane to cross the Sea of Cortes and transfer over to The Copper Canyon, settling in another one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos, El Fuerte. The following days are full of adventure and discovery: a train ride on the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico into the Sierra Madre Mountains, nature walks to a nearby waterfall, trips to breathtaking vantage points and incredible vistas of the canyon, cable car and zip-line excursions, visiting Creel (yet another Pueblo Magico), and hiking to Lake Arareko and Cusarare Waterfall.

Blog Copp Canyon

If you would like to join or would like more information, please e-mail Zachary at zach [@] journeymexico.com  Space is extremely limited so please advise interest ASAP.

Travel Trade Show 2013: Tianguis Turistico Puebla

Puebla Tianguis

Puebla is gearing up for the 38th Edition of the Tianguis Turistico — Mexico’s most important travel trade show. The fair will be held from March 17th to March 20th at the Exhibition Center in the state’s capital,  providing a unique business arena where domestic and international purchasers are able to meet with over 500 Mexican tourism service providers.

For 36 years, Tianguis Turistico had been held in Acapulco before deciding to become a traveling tourism fair, making its first stop in 2012 at the beach destination of Puerto Vallarta.  Puebla will be the first colonial destination of the Tianguis Turistico Mexico. While last year had a record-breaking attendance of 1,400 buyers and 7,500 attendees, this year Mexico is expecting to exceed that number with 1,500 buyers from 33 countries. Puebla was chosen as this year’s host because of it abundance of cultural and historical significance. In fact, the city of Puebla was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Puebla commented that it will be a proud host and as part of preparations for Tianguis’ activities, the city has invested more than 300 million pesos in infrastructure.

If you are unfamiliar with Puebla, it has exquisite architecture which can be seen in its many churches and convents and it is also where some of the popular dishes of Mexican cuisine come from –such as chiles en nogada (a colorful blend of poblano peppers topped with a creamy walnut sauce and pomegranate seeds) and mole poblano. Puebla also is proudly home to seven Pueblos Magicos — recognized ‘Magical Towns’ that imbue certain characteristics and experiences through architecture, traditions, customs, music, gastronomy, festivities and handcrafts.

Magic Towns Puebla If you’re planning to attend this travel fair or visit Puebla for any reason, give Journey Mexico a call.  Matteo, Rene, and Jessica, will be representing Journey Mexico at this year’s Tianguis. If you would like to make an appointment, please email them.

 

ILTM Americas Report with Journey Mexico

The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Americas recently wrapped up its invitation-only event where travel and hospitality professionals gathered in Mayakoba, a secluded area scattered with luxury resort on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.

With only leading professionals who specialize in the luxury travel market in North and Latin America in attendance at ILTM, Journey Mexico definitely had the chance to shine.

Director of Operations,  Matteo Luthi, operated a successful pre-FAM trip that inlcuded an exclusive 1-day air expitidion visit to Chichen Itza Archaeological site while President and CEO of Journey Mexico, Zach Rabinor, spoke as a key industry figure on the topic of Eco-tourism, Volunteerism and Sustainability.

 

Zach also had the opportunity to sit down with James Shillinglaw from Travel Pulse to be interviewed about our new product line at Journey Yucatan and Mexico’s re-surge in visitors and interest! You can check out the interview below,  just press play!

Speaking at International Luxury Travel Market Americas 2012

After a very successful launch event for International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Americas last year, it has come time for another installment. By invitation-only, travel and hospitality professionals will head south to Mayakoba, a secluded area scattered with luxury resort on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. From October 1st through the 3rd, this group will attend educational sessions, meet with vendors and discuss current and forecasted trends in the industry.

While only leading professionals who specialize in the luxury travel market in North and Latin America are allowed to attend, it really benefits visitors to this region the most. Selective attendees means that no one is distracted by attendees who have nothing to contribute and they can concentrate on the issues at hand. With only three days to spend on these important topics, there’s really no time to waste. It might not happen overnight, but you can expect to see improvements in every area over the next few years as a result of this conference.

Journey Mexico Will Be There
You can bet that Journey Mexico will participate in ILTM Americas, and better yet, President of the company, Zach Rabinor, has been asked to speak as a key industry figure. He will be on a panel moderated by Peter Greenberg, discussing the topic ‘The three most misused words in travel – Ecotourism, Volunteerism and Sustainability’. The session is scheduled on opening day of the conference (4pm on October 1) — details here.

Before the conference, Journey Mexico will be hosting a pre-FAM trip. Join Matteo September 28-30 as he showcases Journey Yucatan (Journey Mexico Cancun) covering the Riviera Maya with:
- stays in Banyan Tree & Hotel Esencia
- an exclusive 1 day air expedition to Chichen Itza Archaeological site
- once in a lifetime off hours visit to Tulum Archaeological site for sun rise
- site inspections of the some of the finest Hotels, Resorts, and Villas in the Riviera Maya

Spaces are available but limited. Click here for the full itinerary.  For more information, please contact Matteo.

 

If you’re attending the ITLM Americas summit, we’ll see you there! For everyone else, check back for more information about what we accomplished during this industry conference. We’re sure we’ll have some exciting news to share.

Mexico to Launch First Adventure Travel Trade Show in September 2012

As Mexico’s Finest Adventure Company , we are excited to share some news with our readers:

As a result of Adventure Travel and Trade Association’s (ATTA)  2011 Adventure Travel World Summit, the coastal city of Veracruz, Mexico will be hosting the first ATMEX Adventure Travel Trade Show from September 5 – 9, 2012. Designed by the world’s leading adventure tourism trade organization, ATMEX is expected to emerge as one of Latin America’s most important annual adventure travel events.

The theme for the Trade Show will be “Breaking New Trails”. It aims is to create a learning environment for domestic operators, to help Mexican suppliers develop new partnerships with international buyers and media, and to stimulate responsible growth and sustainable development for Mexico and for the adventure travel trade worldwide. Jessica, from our e-marketing team,  will be traveling to the trade show as well as attending the pre-tours.  Starting September 1, follow along on Twitter and Facebook for more information about what we accomplish during this industry conference. We’re sure we’ll have some exciting news to share!

Read more on MexicoToday.org

 

Journey Mexico and the World Travel and Tourism Council

The World’s Travel & Tourism Council Americas Summit convened for the first of their ‘Regional Summits’ in Riviera Maya, Mexico this past May. During the Summit, key travel and tourism industry figures from the public and private sectors, NGOs and the media gathered to explore the challenges and strengths throughout the tourism industry while identifying opportunities for growth and collaboration. With the spotlight already on Mexico, among the Americas Summit attendees and speakers were prestigious Mexican figures such as President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, Carlos Slim Helú (richest man in the world), Gloria Guevara, and Roberto Hernández Ramírez.

President Felipe Calderón impressed all when he directly addressed Mexico’s security concerns and the efforts being made to alleviate them through law enforcement, education, infrastructure and economic development. He also made it very clear about Mexico’s commitment to tourism and sustainability and his personal support to make Mexico a leading worldwide destination. During the welcome dinner held at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort, Calderón described Mexico’s citizens as “genetically prepared to receive visitors,”  which was indeed true; the warm Mexican hospitality made light of itself throughout the entire summit.

President and CEO of Journey Mexico, Zachary Rabinor, participated at this event. When asked about the summit, Zach said, I felt honored to be amongst the industry’s leaders and am excited to forge ahead in helping Mexico earn recognition as a world class destination and the travel and tourism industry be prioritized for its vital contribution to job creation, conservation, global collaboration, and the global economy.”

The main outcome of WTTC Americas Summit focused on “generating jobs and prosperity” which aligned itself with the priorites of the  T20 meeting (held a week earlier in Merida, Yucatan with tourism ministers from 20 of the most developed economies in the world). Harnessing the travel and tourism industry to fuel job creation, T20 devised proposals including those around current travel visa issues, which has been formally received by President Calderón.  As the Chairman, he will take this to the G20 leaders meeting this month in Los Cabos, to demonstrate the power of the industry to create jobs and drive growth. To follow G20 news, you can connect directly to their website G20Mexico.

 

Help the Native People of Copper Canyon. Donations Accepted.

Journey Mexico is on a mission to help the native people of Copper Canyon! After a season of severe drought, the Rarámuri or Tarahumara Indigenous are suffering water shortages, food shortages and are in great need of our help. Journey Mexico is getting involved by delivering much-needed supplies to seven communities located on our hiking tours. We hope to raise $500 USD or more per village. During the weekend of March 15th Journey Mexico staffer Karina Huet plans to travel to Copper Canyon to purchase the items and either hike, mule or drive the goods into the following villages:

• Huetosachi
• Mogotavo
• Otéviachi
• San Alonso
• Arecaina
• Wakajípare
• Guitayvo

We’re depending on our staff, our clients and a partnership with the local American School to raise the funds necessary to help this worthy cause. To participate, you can give a direct monetary donation or sponsor one of the primary-school kids in the jog-a-thon as these thoughtful children “run for the running people!” If everything works out as planned, we hope to keep this campaign going with additional drops mid-summer and early fall.

At Journey Mexico, we want to give back to the local communities, especially some of the poorest villages in the most rustic areas. To these underprivileged villagers, a sum that seems insignificant to most Americans and other international tourists can make a real difference.

If you can find it in your heart to help out a country that opens its arms to international travelers of all types and backgrounds, now is the time to make a difference. Call us or email us today to find out how you can help Journey Mexico help the running people! info@journeymexico.com +52-322-225-9821 or +1-619-819-5111

February 2012 Newsletter

It’s not too late to catch the February Journey Mexico Newsletter where our headline story recaps the month’s theme of Luxury & Love . The spotlight section features Mexico City, where you can also follow and share pictures, posts & video all month long on our facebook!  Our Travel Promotion highlights Four Seasons Punta Mita and The Sea of Cortes Aquatic Explorer.  Ands always, you will also find the latest news of hotel & industry updates, and latest news from Journey Mexico including upcoming travel dates through April.

You can view the newsletter in its entirety here>>