Journey Mexico Achieves Inc. 5000 List for the 3rd Consecutive Year

Posted by & filed under News, Things We're Proud Of.

We are proud to announce that for the third consecutive year, Journey Mexico has achieved a spot on Inc. magazine’s annual list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America, ranking 21st in the Travel Industry.

Weathering past storms such as “The Swine Flu” and the unrelenting negative reports of Mexico pouring out of the United States, Journey Mexico has continued to provide unforgettable travel experiences to a continuously growing number of discerning and sophisticated travelers. 2010 was a record year for Journey Mexico, and 2011 is poised to accomplish even more as interest in Mexico continues to rise.

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year.

For other Journey Mexico accomplishments, visit Journey Mexico: In the Press

 

Mexican Tourism Board Looking to Boost Visitors

Posted by & filed under Culture, Media, Mexico Today, News.

#MexicoToday: The Mexico Tourism Board recently wrapped up “The Mexico Day,”  a seven city roadshow in the US cities of  Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Houston.  Inviting the top travel industry professionals, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara, met with CEOs and Executives from airlines, wholesalers, tour operators and media to reinforce Mexico’s presence and promotional strategy in the high-potential US market.

During the event, a presentation was given with emphasis on Mexico’s tourism advantages and national priority to become one of the ‘Top 5 Tourist Destinations in the World.’ It leveraged it’s 37 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 40,000+ archeological sites, 3,000 years of history and 62 ethnic groups while proudly boasting Mexico’s growing tourism infrastructure, its grand investments, as well as the country’s 97 % guest satisfaction rating. The message that “There is Confidence in Mexico,” was clear as they assured that incoming tourism numbers are continuing to grow and that Mexico continues to be the number one destination for American travelers.

Rodolfo López Negrete, The Mexico Tourism Board’s COO,  disclosed Mexico’s powerful objectives and campaign to encourage travel to the country for the upcoming fall/winter season. One of the initiatives is a campaign called “The Mayan World: The Beginning of a New Age,” which will celebrate Mexico’s Mayan archaeological sites and display that it is possible to visit the living Mayan Culture for a deeper examination of the 2012 prophecies. Mexico sees this as the opportune moment to position itself as a rival to other iconic cultural travel destinations like Egypt and China.

Also lined up for the season is a series of commercial campaigns featuring Cancun, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The ads display not only the beautiful beaches of these cities but also natural wonders, modern aspects, and cultural heritage. An investment of $30 million will be spent on television, print, online and trade advertising. A comparable figure from last year’s budget when releasing their new slogan “Mexico, The Place You Thought You Knew.” Negrete also noted that Mexico  is concentrating on positioning itself as a diverse and world-class destination for adventure travelers as it is a very strong market with high value. As a result, Mexico is hosting the Adventure Travel World Summit this October, something Journey Mexico is proudly involved in.

These initiatives, alongside their constant monitoring of media coverage and proactively addressing security issues, hope to propel Mexico to achieve the goals they stive for and keep the positive momentum going. The Mexico Day roadshow is now on it’s way to Russia and Brasil, revealing similar facts and figures in their effort to capture the growing markets and enforce Mexican tourism opportunities.

 

Mexico: The Royal Tour

Posted by & filed under Adventure, Culture, News.

The Royal Tour Mexico

#MexicoToday: Peter Greenberg, credited as “America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist,” hosts a special series on PBS called The Royal Tour in which he travels a country guided by its head of state. On September 22nd (September 23rd in Mexico), PBS will air The Royal Tour: Mexico – Greenberg’s grandest royal tour to date.

With Mexico’s President, Felipe Calderón, as his guide, Greenberg explored Mexico from top to bottom, undertaking such adventures as whale watching in Baja California, rappelling 110 stories down the Cave of Swallows in San Luis Potosi, zip-lining through the jungles of Puerto Vallarta, and exploring several of the Yucatan’s cenotes and underground rivers. In addition to the adventure, Greenberg was able to sit down with the President and discuss some pressing issues such as the United State’s perception of safety in Mexico.

 

While in Oaxaca this past June for the Mexico Today kick-off event, I had the chance to discuss the filming of The Royal Tour: Mexico with Jaime Diaz, the government official who was integral in making the event happen. Jaime explained to me that the previous Royal Tours (in places like Jordan, New Zealand, Peru, and Jamaica) were filmed in about seven days but because Mexico is such a vast country, Greenberg and PBS wanted to reserve the President for two weeks – something the Mexican government strongly opposed. According to Jaime, President Calderón overrode his advisors and agreed to the filming, seeing The Royal Tour as a huge opportunity to open the eyes of American viewers to the beauty of his country and to the wealth of meaningful travel experiences offeren in Mexico.

Judging from the trailer, it seems President Caldrón made the right call as The Royal Tour: Mexico looks fantastic. Set your TiVos now because, trust us, Mexico is going to blow you away!

Copper Canyon Train Trip Tops Lonely Planet List

Posted by & filed under Adventure, Copper Canyon, News.

train trip in mexico

The Lonely Planet recently published an article called Riding the Rails: Classic Train Journeys of the World and guess which trip was at the top of the list – Mexico’s very own Copper Canyon Railroad Adventure!

The trip aboard Mexico’s first-class Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacifico train can be found on bucket lists worldwide – and for good reason. The train journey whisks you over 36 bridges and through 87 tunnels as it travels 655km in length, offering unforgettable views of the Copper Canyon. During the trip, travelers stop to visit the local people of small, remote towns in the Sierra Tarahumara mountains to experience their unique culture.

The luxury of the train is matched in Posada Barrancas, where passengers unwind at the gorgeous hotel Mirrador, the only hotel that offers sweeping views of the canyon from each and every room!

Reaching the town of Creel, adventurous travelers leave the luxury of the train behind to descend the rugged switchbacks into the depths of the Batopilas Canyon. Passing through La Bufa Canyons, adventurers take in the local wildlife, beautiful rivers & streams, and have the chance to explore historic mining outposts. Another highlight of the trip is a visit to the “Lost Cathedral of Satevo,” whose grandeur and magnitude attest to the importance of its town and the riches that it produced at the turn of the 20th century.

Though perhaps lesser known, the Copper Canyon Railroad Adventure undoubtedly desserves its ranking amongst the legendary train trips of the world. It’s nice to know that Lonely Planet agrees.

 

Our Mexico: Luxury

Posted by & filed under Luxury, Media, News.

luxury in mexico ad

Click image to view the full ad

The fourth in the Our Mexico web-ad series focuses on luxury travel in Mexico. Picnicks on the banks of a private cenote, sunset sails, elegant spa treatments, and poolside margaritas are just a few examples of luxurious experiences that await in Mexico.

For nearly a decade, Journey Mexico has been curating a collection of the finest, most luxurious private villas and hotels in the country. Let us ignite your senses and pamper you with a level of excellence you’ve never imagined – all at a value you won’t believe!

New Venue for Incentive Travel in Mexico

Posted by & filed under News, Riviera Maya & Tulum, Yucatan.

incentive travel in mexico

Businesses interested in incentive travel in Mexico have a new reason to rejoice as RIU Hotels has recently unveiled the RIU Playacar Convention Center, the first convention center of its kind in the Riviera Maya’s Playa del Carmen.

The RIU Playacar Convention Center, a 2.5 million dollar investment, offers approximately 8,070 square feet (divisible in five rooms) and has a capacity for up to 600 people. The center also offers internet access, a kitchen banquet, and cutting-edge technical equipment.

Surrounding the RIU Playacar Convention Center are six RIU hotels, which combine to offer 2,700 rooms in Playa del Carmen – all offering RIU’s renowned 24 Hour All Inclusive program.

Aside from Cancun, Playa del Carmen is the Riviera Maya’s fasted growing region and with the addition of this new conference center, Playa del Carmen is sure to become a favorite of businesses looking to capitalize on the benefits of incentive travel. For more information, visit Incentive Travel at Journey Mexico.

Luxury at Sea in Mexico

Posted by & filed under Adventure, Los Cabos & Baja Californias, Media, News, Newsletters and Promotions.

Jacques Cousteau once called Mexico’s Sea of Cortés “The aquarium of the world,” and for good reason as 39% of the Earth’s marine mammals either live in or visit the Sea of Cortes during their lifetime. Nearly all of the World’s Gray Whales are born just off the coast of Baja, Mexico and each winter, thousands of Gray Whales migrate back down to Mexican waters to breed – offering travelers unforgettable up-close-and-personal encounters.

Traditionally, exploring the Sea of Cortés and its wildlife has meant camping in the rugged terrain of Baja California, which is great for adventure lovers but can be discouraging for Grandmom and the kids. Now, however, Journey Mexico is excited to offer a fabulous alternative: an eight-day, seven-night cruise aboard a 120-foot, 22-guest yacht.

On The Sea Quest Explorer, you’ll tour the Sea of Cortés, a World Heritage biosphere reserve that harbors more than 900 islands (many uncharted), flora, fauna, and animals found nowhere else in the world. In addition to whale watching and site-seeing, travelers will enjoy a burro ride through the arroyos, swimming with baby sea lions, and a visit to Isla Coyote, a tiny island populated by only two families! Included in the experience are two-person sea kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling and water-skiing equipment, a sailboat, and motorized shore boat for close-up wildlife viewing.

As a kick off promotion, we are pleased to offer travel credits of $200 dollars per person (and $400 dollars for teenagers) for select travel dates booked by September 30th, 2011. For more information, please inquire at [email protected]!

Mexico Shines as a Family/Eco Travel Destination

Posted by & filed under Culture, Ecotourism, Monarch Butterflies, Nature, News.

students whale watching

#MexicoToday: Mexico was recently featured as one of the world’s top five destinations for family eco-travel in a recent article from the Kansas City Star. The article showcases only Playa Viva, an all-inclusive coastal eco-lodge near the Pacific paradise of Ixtapa, yet due to the country’s abundance of natural phenomena, Mexico is home to endless opportunities for families to enrich their knowledge of the way the Earth, its animals, and its people are interconnected.

Focusing on “preserving the cultures, traditions, communities, species and habitats that make this planet worth exploring,” Playa Viva offers a sustainable boutique hotel for families interested in enjoying “Guilt-Free Luxury” while exploring the hotel’s Sea Turtle Sanctuary, where thousands of endangered sea turtles come to lay their eggs each year.

Like Playa Viva, many local initiatives in Mexico have joined together with international non-profits like SEE Turtles and Earth Watch as well as with operators like Journey Mexico to offer travel enthusiasts an opportunity to enhance their holidays with hands-on interaction with many of the Mexico’s ecosystems and their wildlife.

The goals of these trips include:

  • To Educate travelers about the fragility of the natural ecosystems of the world and about what we as individuals can do to build positive relationships with these ecosystems
  • To get travelers physically involved in the solution through volun-tourism activities like helping aggregate sea turtle census data and monitoring endangered animal populations
  • To expose children to new cultures and languages in order to facilitate cultural understanding
  • To inspire a lifelong desire to travel and learn about the cultures and ecosystems of the world

Another benefit of eco-travel is that it can often be incorporated with a child’s science, social studies, foreign language, even art and music lesson plans. The Rainforest Alliance, of which Journey Mexico is a member, offers curriculum guides for kindergarten through eighth grade students, which parents can use to enrich the life-learning experiences of their children.

We all know that Disney World is a blast (and I hear the butter beer at The Wizardry World of Harry Potter is awesome) but how much of a real benefit are these mass-market attractions for children? If you’re thinking, “Not much,” I agree. But imagine your children actually petting a Gray Whale in the Sea of Cortez; running, arms raised, through a blizzard of Monarch Butterflies that have migrated thousands of miles to the Mexican countryside; or exploring a Mayan pyramid built hundreds of years before the Common Era. Now those are experiences that change lives for the better. And in Mexico, they happen every day.

New Three-Cat Monolith Found Outside Mexico City

Posted by & filed under Colonial Cities, Culture, Mexico City, News.

#MexicoToday: It seems that the ancient people of Chalcatzingo, located about 60 miles south of Mexico City, fostered some serious artists. Since the 1930’s, more than 40 large stone carvings have been found in the area in which they lived. Just recently, a new five foot by three-and-a-half foot carving has been discovered, which has been deemed “spectacular” by archeologists familiar with these types of works. The carving depicts three felines, thought to be either jaguars or mountain lions, who are reported to have supernatural traits such as “flamed eyebrows,” associated with the ancient Olmec customs.

The Chalcatzingo, who flourished around 1500 to 400 B.C., were not technically Olmecs themselves, but it is believed that the Chalcatzingo traded heavily with the Olmecs and adopted many of their customs and beliefs. While several of the carvings found in the Chalcatzingo region do contain Olmec symbols, however, the Chalcatzingo carvings differ in that they were usually carved as raised figures on a flat background (as shown in the image above). The Olmec works, in contrast, were usually carved as three-dimensional sculptures.

Interestingly enough, this new-found carving, deemed the “Triad of Felines” by its finders, is believed to be just a piece in a much larger display. Scientists are theorizing that the Triad of Felines was a part of a massive frieze built into the Chalcatzingo hill, which overlooks the region. The frieze is thought to have served as sort of a “spiritual billboard” along a pilgrimage route up the countryside.

Month after month, the ancient cultures of Mexico continue to offer fresh insight into their cultures through artifacts like this Triad of Felines. Archeological travel enthusiasts have been rejoicing as this discovery comes just months after two sculptures of Mayan Warriors were discovered at Toniná and new photographs were taken inside an ancient tomb at Palenque, continually exemplifying the profound travel experiences available in Mexico today.

You can read more about the Triad of Felines at National Geographic

 

2012 Tianguis to be Held in Puerto Vallarta

Posted by & filed under Culture, News, Puerto Vallarta & Punta Mita, Tourism Tianguis, Upcoming Travel.

After several months of debate, it’s official – Mexico’s annual Tianguis Turistico will be held in Puerto Vallarta next year. Tianguis is the most important travel trade show in Mexico, providing a unique business arena where domestic and international purchasers are able to meet with over 500 Mexican tourism service providers. The 2012 Tianguis will be the first time the event has been held outside the city of Acapulco since the event’s inception, and the city of Puerto Vallarta couldn’t be happier about the decision.

Earlier today, The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita tweeted: “We are so proud Riv Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta won for be the host of the 2012 Tianguis Turistico!! Worked so hard for this,” reflecting the buzz that has quickly engulfed the media outlets of Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nyarit, the new hot spot of Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The P.V. Mirror, one of Puerto Vallarta’s top print/online news sources recently posted on Facebook: “We beat 18 other destinations (including Cancún, Mazatlán, Querétaro, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City) to host the biggest tourism trade fair in Mexico – The Tianguis!!! Congratulations to all concerned and involved!”

Although booming with expats (Puerto Vallarta was recently named the number one place to retire abroad by the AARP), Puerto Vallarta has seen a decline in tourism over the past few years due to the relentless negative reports about Mexico pouring out of US media. It seems you can’t keep a good city down, however, as Puerto Vallarta has been chosen to host a portion of the 16th chapter of the Pan American Games later this year and now looks forward to hosting the 10,000+ buyers expected to attend the 2012 Tianguis as well.

The primary Journey Mexico office has been located in Puerto Vallarta since the company originally moved to Mexico in 2006, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the Tianguis and its participants into our beautiful home on the sea!

Travel Authorities Comment on Safety in Mexico

Posted by & filed under Health and Safety.

Travel Experts Talk Safety in Mexico

Peter Greenberg, a highly regarded authority in the international travel industry, posted an article titled Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico Now? on his blog a few weeks ago in which he and Robert Reid, U.S. travel editor for Lonely Planet, discussed the current state of Mexico in regards to safety and tourism.

Both Greenberg and Reid travel to Mexico frequently and their conversation offers some great insight into the matter (you should definitely read the entire article), but I just want to point out some of the stand-out quotes I came across.

  • Robert Reid: “You need to consider that Mexico is about the size of Western Europe. There’s an area that’s bigger than Britain and Ireland that is not on the travel warnings.”

  • Robert Reid: “The Washington Post had an article last year that the homicide rate in our nation’s capital is four times greater than Mexico City.”

  • Peter Greenberg: “Look at Cozumel. It is probably the most popular cruise ship port in the world. And yet anytime somebody hiccups the cruise ships say we’re pulling out of Mazatlan or we’re pulling out of Cozumel. Guess what happens a week later? They’re back. It’s so fickle and capricious. It’s not based on real facts. It’s based on fear.”

  • Robert Reid: “During the swine flu crisis a couple of years ago, some cruise ships stopped going to places like Puerto Vallarta, where there were no reported cases of the swine flu. Instead, the ships went to places like San Francisco where there were reported cases of swine flu. It is worth listening closely to reports.”

  • Peter Greenberg: “I’ll call a spade a spade here, Mexico has been seen in an almost racist way by Americans for so many years. They imagine dusty border towns, guys wearing sombreros and doing shoot ‘em ups. They see it how it was portrayed in the movies. If you couple that perception with the drug cartels or with the swine flu or with select crime reports, suddenly everybody starts running for the border.”

  • Robert Reid: “I’m in this business because of Mexico. I think it is an asset to be close to such a diverse, wonderful and friendly country. I’m sad that more people don’t take advantage of it.”

  • Peter Greenberg: “Isn’t it ironic that we’re talking about crime and murder in Mexico and I’ve spent so much of the year enjoying the ocean, the beaches and the beautiful sunsets in Mexico?”

On the Road: A Tweet-Up in Mazatlan

Posted by & filed under Media, On the Road.

Journey Mexico in Mazatlan

This past weekend, I was invited to a “Tweet-up” in Mazatlan (sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board) to showcase the destination in a positive way through the power of social media. Mazatlan, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, was the only major beach destination in Mexico I’ve not yet had the chance to explore, so I was excited about the opportunity. For those not familiar with the concept of a Tweet-up, there are actually several variations of how these events can take place. The most common is when friends on Twitter get together in real life for some sort of event. Our Tweet-up was a little different as many of us invited to Mazatlan had not yet interacted on Twitter, so the focus of the event was to bring us all together to celebrate Mazatlan through a weekends worth of collective Tweets using the hashtag #wevisitmexico.

The weekend itinerary planned for our small yet widely diverse group of tweeters included nightly dinners at some of Mazatlan’s most iconic restaurants and several adventure excursion options. I’ve never been much of the adventurous type while on vacation (I’ve zip-lined in Puerto Vallarta and snorkeled in Cozumel, but that’s about as “extreme” as I’ve ever gotten). One of our day tour options was an ATV expedition and although I’ve never been particularly interested in ATVs and that almost every Mexican beach destination offers some sort of ATV tour, it was either that or another zip-line excursion. I’ve been several zip-line tours already (which, come to think of it, were pretty adventurous) so in the interest of trying something new, I went for the ATVs.

four-wheeling in Mazatlan

The ATV excursion was awesome! We were a small group of 4, cruising through the terrains of Mazatlan: dirt, rocks, rivers, fields, and even through the small colonial town of La Noria (where we stopped to see a leather factory and old church.) To my surprise, driving the countryside on an ATV (loud as ATVs are) brought me a sense of tranquility. It was like a nice hike through the park or bicycle ride through the mountains – but without all the dreadful exercise! As I passed by field workers who waved and smiled and an old cowboy on horseback nodding to say hello, I was able to clear my mind and appreciate the beauty of the land and the hospitality of the people around me. It was an experience I will never forget, and I regret not having taken part of it sooner. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to ATV through the sandy desert of Baja California Sur or through the Sierra Madre Mountains on the Pacific Coast. The ATV tour definitely left me with a new desire to try more “adventure-like” opportunities as the arise.

The day after ATVing, we took a private yacht to Deer Island, a semi-private beach filled with various water-activities. Again, things like fishing, snorkeling, jet-skiing are all activities I usually dodge; however, the ATV tour definitely left me with a new-found desire to try more “adventure-like” opportunities as the arise, so I both literally and figuratively “dove right in.” The waters of Mazatlan were beautiful and, best of all, I didn’t drown or have a panic attack! It really felt great to step outside my comfort zone and let myself go.

I definitely left Mazatlan with a new level of confidence in myself, which, combined with my unending appreciation for the incredible nature of Mexico, has me aiming high for future adventures. I figure with a few more adventure excursions under my belt, I’ll be ready for next year’s Copper Canynon Semana Santa Trek in April, which looks both intense and amazing.

No matter how much time I spend in Mexico and no matter how many regions I visit, there’s always something yet to discover. This is, without a doubt, my favorite aspect about this country. I went into this weekend not knowing much about Mazatlan and like most everyone else, all I’ve read about the city lately is that their cruise ships have decided to skip the city for the remainder of the year. Yet after just three days in Mazatlan, I can confidently say to anyone that it’s a safe and gorgeous city of culture, of adventure, and of beautiful and warm people. When I think about our experience in Mazatlan, I’m reminded of Mexico’s new slogan: “Mexico, The Place You Thought You Knew,” which is especially fitting as I know there are many who have a wildly misconceived idea of not just Mazatlan, but many of the cities of Mexico that I’ve come to love.

Mexico Awarded Best Destination Day Spa in the World by Travel + Leisure Readers

Posted by & filed under Los Cabos & Baja Californias, Luxury, News, Travel + Leisure, Whale Watching.

Mexico in Travel + Leisure's Reader's Choise Awards

The 2011 Word’s Best Awards mark the 16th consecutive year where Travel + Leisure has polled it’s massive database of readers, allowing them to determine the best hotels, cities, spas, and more. For the second year in a row, Rancho La Puerta in Baja Californa was named the Best Destination Day Spa in the World in this year’s Travel + Leisure: World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

Originally opened in 1940 in a sheltered valley only an hour’s drive from San Diego, California, Rancho La Puerta quickly became the paradigm of all multi-day “destination spa” vacations that encompass health and wellness for mind, body and spirit. The property encompasses over 3,000 acres of land and includes world-class landscaped gardens, an organic farm, an internationally known cooking school, and mountainsides and meadows of great hiking and walking experiences. For more information about Rancho La Puerta, visit www.rancholapuerta.com.

Also making one of this year’s Travel + Leisure: World’s Best lists was the One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, also in Baja California. The One & Only Palmilla was voted number 48 in the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, and for good reason. The One & Only Palmilla was designed with one thing in mind: Luxury. To quote Travel + Leisure, “At the tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula, One & Only Palmilla takes moonlight serenades seriously. The 172-room resort can arrange a Latin guitar trio to strum ballads on sandy coves facing the Sea of Cortés, atop a historic bell tower, or in a Casa Gardenia suite. For families, there’s a meandering river that connects the kids’ pool to an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Ride horses on the beach—on of the safest in Los Cabos for swimming—then kick back in red-tiled suites with shaded daybeds, ideal for siesta.”

Several other Mexican resorts and hotels were chosen for regional awards, featured in the cover story of the August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine, which hit newsstands July 22nd.

A True Oaxaca Alebrije

Posted by & filed under Culture, Media, Mexico Today, Oaxaca, On the Road.

dragon alebrije in oaxaca

#MexicoToday – During our recent visit to Oaxaca for the Mexico Today program, Chase and I experienced a  total cultural immersion. Visiting the ruins of Mitla, learning about Zapotec ancestry and experiencing La Calenda and La Guelaguezta – every minute of the trip our senses were captivated. The sights of all the colorful dresses, the sounds of the band leading the parade, the taste of the finest Oaxaca cheese, the smell of rich mole, and the feel of everyone’s vibrant energy radiating, all combined to make Oaxaca astounding.

Because Oaxaca is so rich in culture, it serves as a well representative of Mexico as a whole; however, one craft in particular has come to represent the spirit of Oaxaca: the Alebrije. Alebrijes are carved and painted animal figurines that have become a form of symbolic art important to the existence and development of the small villages that produce them. The word alebrije means “imaginary” or “fantasy,” describing a style of animal carvings with exceptional paint schemes. There are 3 main villages that are known for producing these colorful figures and luckily enough, a visit to San Martin Tilcajete was part of our program. The role alebrijes play in the local culture of Oaxaca was immediately evident upon entering the small village as the giant entryways were painted in the brightest of neon colors and doors were carved in the shape of whimsical animals.

When we arrived to the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles (renowned masters in the art of carving and painting) , it was clear that San Martin Tilcajete were proud producers of the Alebrije. Unlike modern workshops, the Angeles family does not use synthetic paints, rather natural colors derived from nature. The skills to create these masterpieces were passed down through the family; Jacobo gained proficiency in wood carving from his father and Maria came from a line of painters.  A progressing art continually altering due to demand, Jacobo and Maria have developed their skills in the intricacy and variation of each piece, raising the bar of quality for other villagers.

Alebrijes found outside of Mitla

Once I returned home from Oaxaca, my stimulation and interest for alebrijes grew as I stared at my hummingbird alebrije made by Jacobo. I was interested in how to distinguish a “true” and “authentic” alebrije as the work produced by the Angeles family was not duplicated or common. You can buy Oaxaca alebrijes all over Mexico in all different design styles, but how can you tell an imposter? The truth is, there is no one way an “authentic alebrije” should look. Alebrijes actually originated in Mexico City and were made of paper mache, trickling its way to Oaxaca, the art manifested into wood carvings and the name remained ‘alebrejies’. What is traditional and authentic is the carving of the copal wood. The extent of quality or design does not diminish its authenticity; it’s purely a unique work of art.

That being said, there are those who have tried to replicate and mass produce the alebrije out of foreign materials in foreign countries like China. When Jacobo Angeles realized that some of his customers where actually trying to exploit his craft, he started a legal battle to protect the native ritual, which he is still fighting today. Speaking at a panel discussion during our visit, Jacobo explained to us that his goal is to establish an official stamp of authenticity to be used not just for alebrijes, but for all traditional Mexican crafts.

For those interested in learning more about Jacobo’s alebrijes and his fight to preserve his family’s tradition, please visit tilcajete.org.

Alebrije’s continue to gain popularity as collectors and tourists from all over the world are drawn to the beautiful pieces. As with any piece of artwork, each carving tells it’s own story and it was truly a fascinating experience be able to visit one of the workshops and meet the carvers and painters. Oaxaca has many traditions it preserves and there is no better way to discover some of Mexico’s best customs than starting with Oaxaca.

Mexican Tourism Rising at Record Rates

Posted by & filed under Culture, News.

The numbers continue to climb as Mexico has seen an increase of about 200,000 international visitors from Jan to May of this year when compared to the same time period of 2010. A recent press release from the Mexican Tourism Board confirms the trend we’ve been seeing lately, where international travelers from outside the US have been filling the void left by American travelers discouraged from traveling to Mexico by negative media.

According to the press release, Mexico has seen substantial growth in travel from Russia (58.1 percent), Brazil (40.9 percent), and China (32.8 percent) since the start of the year. At this rate, Mexico is expected to receive a record number of international foreign visitors, trumping its previous high of 22.4 million achieved in 2010.

When asked to comment on this rapid increase in travelers to Mexico from outside the US, Journey Mexico founder and President, Zachary Rabinor, replied with the following:

“It doesn’t surprise me at all; Mexico is a world class destination with incredible geographic, cultural, natural diversity and great selection of hotels and experiences for every interest and budget.  Following on a few years of discounting and incredible value added offers due to the worldwide economic downturn and then multiple shocks to demand in N. America (by far Mexico’s largest market), there has never been a better time to travel to Mexico – we can offer outstanding value right now!  Fortunately, European, Russian and S. American visitors can differentiate between one sided, sensationalist reporting and the great travel experiences that Mexico offers. Hopefully N. Americans will take the cue and return to Mexico in force before too long!”

As Mexico continues to offer new and authentic travel experiences (did you know two major new Mayan archeological discoveries were made in just the past few months?) at such great value and proximity, it’s surely just a matter of time before discerning travelers from the US grow tired of the sensationalized reports about Mexico and begin to return to Mexico in droves. The return of the US market in combination with these exploding foreign markets should give Mexico a real chance of hitting its goal of being in the top five international tourist destinations by 2018.

Drug violence: is it safe to travel to Mexico?

Posted by & filed under Health and Safety, Media.

safety of mexico vs the streets of the US

This article was originally posted at Geo-Mexico

With so much media attention focused on drug violence in Mexico, many potential tourists and tour operators are canceling planned trips to Mexico. Are such decisions rational? The analysis below indicates that travel to Mexico is considerably safer than risking vehicle traffic in the USA.

The US State Department has issued numerous travel advisories concerning visits to Mexico. As we discussed in a previous post —Which parts of Mexico are currently subject to US travel advisories?— the advisories focus on specific areas of Mexico. Unfortunately, many potential tourists overlook the geographic specificity and get the impression that all parts of Mexico are dangerous. Previous posts clearly indicate that levels of drug war violence vary enormously from place to place in Mexico.

This post investigates the chances of being a fatal victim of drug violence in various places in Mexico and compares these with the chances of being a fatal victim of a traffic accident in the USA. The US Department of Commerce estimates that about 19 million US citizens visit Mexico each year. According to MSNBC, in 2010 at least 106 Americans were killed in Mexico as a result of drug violence. Dividing the 19 million visits by the 106 deaths suggests that the chance of a visitor being killed on a trip to Mexico in 2010 was about 1 in 179,000. These are good odds, much better than the annual chance of being killed in a US traffic accident which is about 9,000 to 1. In other words, the chances of dying in a US traffic accident are roughly 20 times greater than being killed as a consequence of drug violence while visiting  Mexico. (As an aside, the annual chances of being killed in a Mexican traffic accident are about 1 in 4,800.)

Some areas of Mexico experience much more drug violence than others. For example drug violence deaths in Ciudad Juárez are 16 times greater than the Mexico national average. Consequently, the chance of an American visitor getting killed in drug violence in Ciudad Juárez is about 11,400 to one, still safer than risking traffic in the USA. The table shows the risks for a range of Mexican locations and compares them to the risks of US traffic. In the city of Puebla the risk is one in 6.6 million compared to one in 750,000 for Mexico City, one in 570,000 for Guadalajara, one in 360,000 for Cancún, about one in 300,000 for Chapala and Puerto Vallarta, and about one in 50,000 for Tijuana and Mazatlán.

These results indicate that the chance of a visitor being killed by drug violence in Mexico is extremely unlikely, far less likely than the risk of being killed in a US traffic accident. For example, a visit to Chapala is 33 times safer than risking US traffic for a year, while Mexico City is 83 times safer. Though this analysis focuses on the travel of US tourists to Mexico, the results are equally relevant for visitors from other countries.

The Spirit of Tequila

Posted by & filed under Media, Mexico Today, On the Road.

The Spirit of Tequila

#MexicoToday – The fiery drink of Tequila has been rapidly gaining international popularity for years now, being featured in popular billboard hits and increasing in US consumption by 45% in the past 5 years. So it comes as no surprise that the town of Tequila, birthplace of the most representative beverage in Mexico and the proud producer of the worldwide spirit that bears its name, has also been gaining more and more attention. Recently, ABC, MSNBC, and USA Today all ran an article about this small town in Jalisco, Mexico – about 4 hours east from the popular tourist city of Puerto Vallarta (just outside Guadalajara, part of Mexico’s Colonial Heartland).

This acclaimed Magic Town sits against the Tequila Volcano which overlooks the valley encompassed by endless landscape of perfectly lined of blue agave plants. Built around Tequila’s main square of beautiful fountains and fresh flowers are the distilleries of popular producers such as Sauza and Jose Cuervo. Visiting the town of Tequila is a trip to the past, where the traditions and the most authentic aspects of Mexico are still alive and prevalent.

Curious about this traditional and legendary drink, I took the trip to discover Tequila for myself.  Starting off with a visit to the 17th Century stone Santiago Apostol Church and a walk around the flourishing plaza, I filled my stomach with the juiciest Torta Ahogadas (pork sandwiches drowned in a spicy red sauce – famous to the Guadalajara region) before enjoying a small tequila to get in the right mindset. What many people do not know is that tequila is not something that should be taken as a shot. Rather it should be treated as a fine wine, acknowledging the various aromas and savoring ever nuance in flavor.

Appreciating the smells and tastes of the actual liquid is one thing, but a true appreciation of Tequila comes from seeing the process of its creation from start to finish. I learned this during my tour at Mundo Cuervo; where in a small VIP group, we visited fertile agave fields, wandered through picturesque courtyards of the hacienda and toured the actual production factory. With the largest distillery in Latin America, the Cuervo brand started distilling a private tequila called ‘Reserva de la Familia’, reserved only for the Cuervo family. As time went by, they decided to share a very limited amount which is exclusively made in Mundo Cuervo, housing only barrels of Reserva during a specific season. I was able to try a very small sample of this limited edition tequila, and not exaggerating, it was one of the best Tequila Anejo’s I had ever tasted.

tequila barrels

At the end of the tour, we learned how to distinguish quality tequila – much like you can distinguish a fine wine. One way is to swivel the tequila around in a glass and notice if any drops stick and form along the glass, the more droplets that adhere to the glass, the better the tequila. The other way, which I found most fascinating, is that Tequila has three very distinct scents depending on which part you smell.  Starting at the bottom portion of your glass, this is the scent where you appreciate the key ingredient, the aged agave plant, distinguished by its pungent scent of alcohol. Moving up to the middle portion, it is differentiated by a sweet fruity floral smell, much less harsh than the fragrance at the bottom. Reaching the top one-third portion of your glass, the aroma changes from a nice spring day to a warm cozy fire, emitting a rich wood smell due to the aging process in the barrels. Detecting and savoring each scent and learning about the long process and stages it makes to produce tequila, I developed a strong appreciation and understanding of the intricate process.

After a 3 hour tour around the facilities and numerous taste testing and margaritas (complements of the tour), I headed to the National Tequila Museum where, through its collections, I gained an even deeper understanding regarding the cultural values of the tequila region, which I learned was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Reflecting on my day trip, I learned more about Tequila then I ever thought imaginable, both the drink and the town. Both are unique and representative of the country in which they reside. Having only spent a day in Tequila, there’s still more to discover. The town has many “tourist friendly” facilities and tours, including the infamous Tequila Express train ride and the giant tequila bottle-bus city tour – which are on my list next time I am driving through!