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Mexico_Adventure_Travel_Expo_Veracruz

Fri, May 17, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico Adventure Travel Expo Coming to Veracruz

On August 14th-17th, Mexico will make a concentrated effort to brand itself as a premier adventure travel destination through the second annual Adventure Travel Mexico trade fair. …

This year’s ATMEX is hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), an organization that boasts 900 members focused on the sustainable development of adventure tourism, Visit Mexico, and the Mexican state of Veracruz.

The goal for the event is to prove the sustainable benefits of adventure travel for Mexico to the attendees, over 400 inbound Mexican operators, outbound tour operators, international buyers, media, industry leaders, and representatives of the government and private sectors.

To help attain this goal, several Mexican states will offer several expense-paid familiarization trips for qualified buyers and media to become better acquainted with some of the natural wonders and adventure activities available in the area.

Additionally, the momentum created from the success of ATMEX’s predecessor, the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit in Chiapas, will help the fair gain the traction it needs to boost this younger sector of the Mexican tourism industry.

Notably, the adventure travel industry, with its focus on building infrastructure, education, and brand awareness, will offer Mexico several economic and social advantages due to its increased emphasis on rural destinations often overlooked by the average tourist. According to Shannon Stowell, the president of the ATTA, ATMEX hopes to capitalize on the current positive trend among travelers electing to take “experiential” vacations; trips that offer a more substantial connection to the nature and culture of a destination.

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Veracruz

Enrique Peña Nieto and the Mexican Diplomatic Corps

Wed, May 15, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Enrique Peña Nieto Discusses Image of Mexico with Mexican Diplomatic Corps

President Enrique Peña Nieto met with Mexican ambassadors from around the world to discuss ways to promote Mexico's international image. …

In a private meeting in Los Pinos, President Peña Nieto requested that the Mexican diplomatic corps take steps to strenghen Mexico's presence in the world, expand international cooperation, promote the value of Mexico in the world and protec the interests of Mexico abroad.

"We are committed to a peaceful and inclusive Mexico," Peña Nieto said. "We want to build a prosperous Mexico with quality education for all. From internal reforms, our goal is a Mexico as an actor with global responsibilities."

Peña Nieto outlined goals for Mexico with different regions of the world. In North America, he seeks the elimination of the visa requirement for Mexicans in Canada; foster greater cooperation on security and attract greater investment flows in the automotive, aerospace, energy and telecommunications sectors. In Latin America, Mexico wants to promote greater regional integration of the region.

Peña Nieto's goals in Europe are to promote the positive image of Mexico as a safe destination for investment, trade and tourism, strengthen strategic relationships, promote greater academic and business exchanges and encourage cooperation on global issues like human rights, the fight against poverty and hunger. In Asia, his priorities are to strengthen and deepen dialogue and political relationship; intensify tourism exchanges, trade and investment, as well as an expansion of programs of scientific and technological cooperation. In the case of the Middle East, the President Peña Nieto stressed the need to promote tourism and cultural exchanges as well as boost trade and mutual investment.

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2013_Chrysler_Town_&_Country

Tue, May 14, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Chrysler launches Mexican-inspired luxury minivan for first time in history with Tanya Moss

For the first time in its history, Chrysler has launched its luxury Town & Country minivan with an exclusive limited edition for the Mexican market. Chrysler, in collaboration with Mexican jeweler Tanya Moss, will produce 150 limited edition 2013 Town & Country Minivans featuring unique design elements created… especially for the vehicle.

Tanya Moss is one of the most important jewelry designers in Mexico. She studied graphic design at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and specialized in design and manufacture of jewelry at Southern Illinois University. After completing her studies in 1993, she began her career as a professional designer and business woman.

In 1995, after several years of selling his pieces "door to door", Moss opened her first boutique in Mexico City. Tanya’s jewelry creations exclusively use silver and gold, alone or combined with stones, pearls and diamonds. The pieces are unique and exclusive design. In 2003, Moss designs her iconic butterfly, which represents Tanya’s freedom in her designs and becomes the symbol and identity of the brand.

Mexico_Japan_Bolster_Tourism

Fri, May 10, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico & Japan Agree to Bolster Tourism

Mexico is Japan’s most popular Latin American travel destination. Now the Mexican and Japanese governments have inked a deal to jointly promote tourism between their two countries. This recent agreement is part of a larger economic partnership between the Mexico and Japan that dates back to… 2005.

As part of the agreement, Mexico and Japan will educate Japanese travel agents on Mexican cultural heritage and tourism destinations. The two nations also agreed that boosting air connectivity will increase ease of travel and ultimately increase the influx of tourists.

85,678 Japanese travelers visited Mexico in 2012, up 18.5 percent from the year before, according to official figures. Increasing tourism from Asian nations is a priority for President Enrique Peña Nieto. In a recent speech in Nayarit where he unveiled a new national tourism policy for Mexico, Peña Nieto said "We will open Mexico to the world, and the world will visit Mexico. Tourism is a fundamental component of our economy and a key driver of national development."

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Mexico City

Cancun

Thu, May 09, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Sun and Beach Tourism in Mexico is a Win-Win for All

Mexico’s beautiful beaches and resorts receive special attention under President Enrique Peña Nieto’s robust tourism plan. This new initiative aims to strengthen existing destinations and highlight the country’s rich diversity. …

Mexico is already recognized as a top family destination with its luxurious spas and exclusive getaways. From hosting Hollywood’s elite as part of the “Oscars Swag Bag” earlier this year, to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for their swimsuit calendar shoot, Mexico has long since been recognized as an optimal beach destination.

Apart from maintaining luxury hotspots, the goals of sun and beach tourism also involve strengthening security at beaches as well as promoting lesser-known resorts. In April, the Mexican government launched “Operation Spring Breakers 2013” to ensure safety in Cancun for college students who descend upon sandy beaches. And for those who desire a more laid-back vacation, the tourism plan highlights quaint resort areas such as Tulum. Though removed from the popular destinations Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Tulum is both a luxury and cultural oasis for the bohemian-spirited.

With a privileged geographic location and a vast array of cultural, natural, and historical attractions, Mexico is a dream destination for any tourist. President Peña Nieto has made significant strides towards a burgeoning tourism industry by recognizing this wealth as well as its potential for growth. His plan not only keeps tourists safe and happy, but also contributes to the Mexico’s economic and social prosperity.

Automakers_Mexico_Steel_Industry_Mexican_Automotive

Wed, May 08, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Automakers Spur $3 Billion Boom for Steel Made-in-Mexico

The steel industry in Mexico is growing as a result of the boom in Mexican automotive manufacturing. To keep up with demand for steel, Mexican steelmakers are expected to invest almost $3 billion on new and improved factories. …

As we’ve reported before, Mexico’s automobile production has grown incredibly in the past few years; rising to nearly 6 percent of Mexico’s GDP. Mexico is in prime position to take over a very large portion of the market for cars due to its geographical location. Mexico has become a magnet for automakers seeking access to North and South American markets and other regions. Mexico has trade agreements with more than 40 countries, opening markets for automakers and steelmakers. In fact, Mazda plans to open an $800 million factory, expected to open in 2014. Auto exports to an expected to rise to 4 million vehicles by 2017, according to The Mexican Automobile Industry Association.

New trade deals and low-cost labor have made Mexico a profitable base for car production. It's also attracting other parts of the auto-supply chain, from steel mills to brake makers, as the "made in Mexico" trend grows. “While Mexico is the world’s 13th-largest maker of steel overall, its production of automotive-grade metal that has been galvanized, or coated in zinc to prevent rust, remains low, said Oscar Albin, president of the National Autoparts Industry in Mexico City.”

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Mario Gutierrez of Veracruz won the 2012 Kentucky Derby

Fri, May 03, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexican Jockey Mario Gutierrez Reflects One Year After Winning Kentucky Derby

In 2012, jockey Mario Gutierrez of Veracruz rode into the record books as the winning jockey of the Kentucky Derby. One year after his victorious race aboard the horse I'll Have Another, Gutierrez will be watching the 2013 Kentucky Derby from the sidelines. …

“It will be nice,” Gutierrez told Yahoo! Sports last week. “I get to watch it and not have any pressure.”

Nevertheless, winning the Kentucky Derby changed Mario Gutierrez’s life. He appeared on late-night talk shows and threw out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers ballgame.

“When people ask who won the Kentucky Derby in 2012, my name will be right there,” he said. “I can always say I went there for the first time and won the Kentucky Derby.”

Gutierrez was born in Veracruz, Mexico but built his professional jockey career in Canada. Since 2006, Gutierrez has been one of the leading riders at Hastings Race Course in Vancouver, winning riding titles in 2007, 2008 before coming up short for a third on the final day of the meeting last year.

Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto

Fri, May 03, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Enrique Peña Nieto and Barack Obama Launch Bilateral Meeting, Sign Education Agreement

At a joint press conference at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City, Presidents Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico and Barack Obama reaffirmed the strong ties between the United States and Mexico at the beginning of this week's bilateral meeting.

"Mexico and the United States have one of the largest, most dynamic relationships of any two countries on earth," said President Obama. "Our success is shared. When one of us prospers, both of us prosper."

President Peña Nieto said, "Higher education is the great booster for our two nations, where science and technology are our best bet."

Presidents Obama and Peña Nieto announced the formation of a bilateral forum for education, innovation and research, in order to expand student exchanges and increase research in the education sector. The forum seeks to "expand economic opportunities for the citizens" of the two countries and will promote greater access to postsecondary education" for traditionally underserved demographic groups in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Mexico and the United States have a long history of educational collaboration, with more than 18,000 college students exchanges between the two countries each year.

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Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto

Thu, May 02, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

President Obama Arrives in Mexico for Bilateral Meeting with President Enrique Peña Nieto

Upon his arrival on Air Force One in Mexico City, U.S. President Barack Obama travelled to the Palacio Nacional to begin his bilateral meetings with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico. Following a joint press conference, Presidents Obama and Peña Nieto will have a working… dinner at Los Pinos. Tomorrow, President Obama is expected to speak to Mexican youth at the Museo Nacional de Antropología before travelling to Costa Rica for the second leg of his trip through Latin America.

This is President Obama’s fourth trip to Mexico. President Obama previously visited Mexico in April and August 2009 meetings with then-President Felipe Calderón. President Obama also attended the G-20 Summit in Los Cabos in June 2012. In November 2012, then President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto met with President Obama and invited him to visit Mexico. Vice President Joe Biden attended President Peña Nieto’s December 2012 inauguration ceremony.

Mexico is the World's Largest Exporter of Fresh Mangoes

Wed, May 01, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mangoes from Mexico Lead Explosion of Fruit Exports

Thanks to an explosion of mango exports from Mexico, your next mango recipe can be sweeter and more authentic. One out of 20 mangoes consumed in the world is now grown in Mexico. Last year, 300,000 tons of mangoes were exported from Mexico, mostly to the United States. Mexico is the world’s largest exporter of fresh… mangoes.

Because of their proximity to the U.S. market, Mexico mango growers have lower transportation costs than their competitors in Asia. As a result, mango growers in Mexico can allow the fruit to ripen longer on the mango tree. According to Jorge Armando Celis, president of Mexico's mango exporters, the more time a mango ripens on the tree, the sweeter the fruit will be.

Has this post made you hungry? If so, please enjoy this mango salsa recipe from Pati Jinich, host of Pati’s Mexican Table.

FRESH MANGO SALSA

Makes 4 1/2 cups

INGREDIENTS

1/2 medium red onion, cut into very thin slivers (1/3 cup)

Juice from 2 limes (4 tablespoons)

2 1/2 pounds ripe mangoes (about 4), peeled and cut into large dice

1 large jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons, or more to taste)

Leaves from 4 stems cilantro, finely chopped (3 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt, or more to taste

TO PREPARE

Combine the onion and lime juice in a mixing bowl; toss to coat and let sit for 10 minutes. Combine the mango, jalapeno, cilantro, oil and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add the onion-lime juice mixture when it's ready and toss to mix well. Taste and add salt or jalapeno as needed.

President Barack Obama in Mexico

Wed, May 01, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Two-Thirds of Mexicans Surveyed Approve of Mexico-U.S. Bilateral Relationship

On the eve of President Obama's visit to Mexico, two-thirds of Mexicans have a favorable impression of the United States, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center. This represents the highest approval rating of the Mexico-US bilateral relationship in three years. 66 percent of Mexicans rated relations with the United States as… "good," up from 44 percent in late 2010. 70 percent of Mexicans rate economic relations with the United States as "good." Regarding President Obama, 49 percent of Mexicans express confidence in the American president to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs, up from 42 percent in 2012 and 38 percent in 2011.

The upcoming visit will be President Obama’s fourth trip to Mexico. President Obama previously visited Mexico in April and August 2009 meetings with then-President Felipe Calderón. President Obama also attended the G-20 Summit in Los Cabos in June 2012. In November 2012, then President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto met with President Obama and invited him to visit Mexico. Vice President Joe Biden attended President Peña Nieto’s December 2012 inauguration ceremony.

Mexico surpasses Brazil as an investment opportunity

Mon, April 29, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexico surpasses Brazil as an investment opportunity

Mexico has become the new hotspot for investors seeking opportunities in Latin America. The new president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, has been pushing for economic change, which has encouraged many investors put cash in to Mexico. A recent CNBC article quoted a research director at Frontier Strategy… Group as saying, “Brazil became a lot less attractive in the last year and a half. Mexico has definitely come up as a priority."

Mexican companies have proven themselves to have a better profit profile than those within Brazil, with higher profitability and better margins. Brazil has the largest economy within Latin America, but it has been fighting against high inflation, leaving investors worried that over a potentially low-growth environment. Compared to Mexico’s quickly growing economy, Brazil’s grew only 1 percent last year.

In the past year, iShares MSCI Mexico Capped exchange-traded fund grew over 17 percent. This is compared to a fund trailing Brazil, iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund, which depleted by over 15 percent.

Key fiscal, financial and energy reforms are expected in Mexico this year, and this comprehensive reform process will only deliver higher growth capacity for Mexico. Experts predict its economy will expand approximately 4.5 percent this year.

Mexico_City_Building_Torres_de_Especialidades_Smog

Wed, April 24, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico City Building, Torre de Especialidades, Eats Smog for Lunch

For Torre de Especialidades, a hospital with a new tower currently under construction in Mexico City, Allison Dring and Daniel Schwaag of the Berlin-based firm Elegant Embellishment have developed a tile called proSolve370e, which will cover the facade of the building. The tile’s shape and chemical coating will help… neutralize the chemicals present in the city’s smog which is produced by 8,750 cars driving each day.

The paint applied to the tiles is made from titanium dioxide, a pigment used to make a wide range of applications from paint to sunscreen to food coloring. Titanium (IV) oxide or Titania happens to double as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions. When UV light cuts through smoggy air and hits the titanium dioxide on the tiles, a chemical reaction occurs between the tiles and chemicals in the smog. The smog is broken down into small amounts of less noxious chemicals, including calcium nitrate, carbon dioxide, and water. This colorless salt absorbs moisture from the air and is commonly found as a tetrahydrate. It is mainly used as a component in fertilizers, but has other applications. The shape of the tiles also slows wind speeds and creates turbulence, which distributes pollution more evenly across the tiles.

While Torre de Especialidades is the first permanent exterior installation of their system, Dring is hopeful that others will follow Mexico City’s lead. “Other cities with pollution problems including Santiago, Beijing, Los Angeles, Beirut, Astana or those with tightening regulations as is the current case in Germany are ideal environments for proSolve370e.”

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Medical Tourism in Mexico Appeals to Many

Tue, April 23, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Medical Tourism in Mexico Appeals to Many

President Enrique Peña Nieto recently revealed a new national tourism policy for Mexico, which aims to diversify tourism products for the future as well as to strengthen existing destinations. Among these segments is medical tourism – a growing component of Mexico’s tourism industry. …

Mexico already possesses all of the conditions necessary to be a market leader in medical tourism, largely thanks to state-of-the-art facilities and well-trained physicians. For example, Nuevo León is recognized for its first class medical infrastructure, with nearly 9,000 internationally recognized experts, and 50,000 people employed in the healthcare field. For this reason, Mexico held its first Health Tourism Forum in Monterrey, Nuevo León in August 2011. The primary goal of the forum was to secure Mexico’s place as a leader in the medical tourism industry and to implement a standardized system for measuring quality health care.

Mexico’s health tourism market caters to travelers from around the world looking to combine a health procedure and vacation at a reasonable cost. The industry promises continued growth in Mexico. Tourists from around the world are now traveling to Mexican destinations such as Cancun and Riviera Maya to receive everything from holistic treatments to cardiology and oncology care. Puerto Vallarta also has a growing reputation as a destination for medical tourism. Medical tourism in Puerto Vallarta provides state of art equipment, inexpensive services, bilingual physicians and low waiting times for patients.

Adventurer_Abraham_Levy_Spain_Mexico_Aficionado

Mon, April 22, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Adventurer Abraham Levy to Row from Spain to Mexico

Mexico adventurer Abraham Levy will attempt to row it alone from Puerto de Palos, Spain, to Cancun, Mexico, in a sixth-month journey inspired by Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Americas. …

Levy, whose trip will begin on October 12, said “I want to do what the great explorers did and set out from the Old World, leaving Puerto de Palos en route to Mexican Lands.”

The adventure aficionado will travel via a boat that is equipped with navigation gear, GPS, satellite phone, a desalinization plant, a stove and solar panels to charge the lithium batteries. He will also have land-based support from a group of doctors, trainers and meteorological experts. The carbon fiber boat weighs 400 pounds, measures 24 feet long and 5 feet abeam, has a hermetic cabin and 10-foot oars of the same material.

This is not the first major voyage for Levy. He kayaked 6,800 miles along the coasts of his country in 2008.

"The trip will take about four months, but I'm going prepared to spend six months at sea," said Levy, who will set out on his journey in October because at that point hurricane season is over on his route, which follows the trade winds to the Canary Islands, continues on to the Caribbean, and then changes course to Mexico.

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Mexico City