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Yucatan Transpeninsular Train

Tue, April 09, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

High Speed Rail Planned for Yucatan Peninsula, Linking Mérida and Riviera Maya

High speed rail in Mexico is a key priority for the new President of Mexico. In a recent speech outlining a National Tourism Policy for Mexico, President Enrique Peña Nieto emphasized the need for improved infrastructure in tourist destinations. As an example, Peña Nieto proposed the completion of a rail… line across the Yucatán Peninsula linking the colonial city of Mérida to the beach resorts of the Mayan Riviera. The Mexican government plans to spend approximately 11 billion pesos on the project.

The Transpeninsular Train would feature air-conditioned cars carrying as many as 400 passengers and traveling at speeds up to 110 mph. The first stage of the railroad would run from the Yucatán capital of Mérida to Punto Venado on the Caribbean Coast, with links to the Mayan archaeological sites of Chichen Itza and Tulum.

The new focus on high speed rail in Mexico marks a change in transportation policy. With the exception of a few tourist trains, like the Tequila Express in the state of Jalisco and the Copper Canyon railway through the Sierra Madre, Mexico all but eliminated passenger rail service when it shut down the state-run Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (National Railways of Mexico) in the 1990s.

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Merida

Mexico_Aerospace_Industry_Manufacturers

Fri, April 05, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico’s Welcome Mat Attracts Aerospace Manufacturers

Adding to their strong presence in the electronics and automobile industries, Mexico is a major player in the worldwide aerospace industry. In a relatively short time, this country of 113 million people has gone from a minor parts supplier to a major partner of several large aviation companies by … its attractive offerings of lower-costs, a free-trade system, and skilled, motivated workers. Mexico can thank the large amount of foreign direct investment they have received in recent years for solidifying their place in the highly competitive, fast-growing aerospace industry.

Strong cooperation between governments, universities, and private sectors in promotion of the capabilities of the Mexican aerospace sector has incentivized foreign manufacturers to increase their operations, not only in manufacturing but also in establishing an engineering base. For instance, Mexico, Baja CA, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Queretaro have larger aerospace clusters.

“They make it easy for you to do business down here,” says John Gardner, strategic program manager at Kaman Aerostructures, another newcomer in Chihuahua. “They provide a 'soft landing,' to get a quick startup—a good startup. We got a lot of support up front and afterward.”

Aerospace investors in Mexico also cite the country’s geographic location, open trade policies, political and economic stability as their main reason for moving manufacturing south of the border. Such stability has been particularly attractive to companies fearful of their intellectual property security and swayed them away from such countries as China.

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Mexico_rooftop_solar_PV_rural_communities

Wed, April 03, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico Promotes Rooftop Solar PV for Rural Communities

Mexico is a leader in renewable energy from solar power. Now, thanks to a new energy bill, rural Mexican communities will be able to power their homes and schools using the sun’s power. The announcement came after the Mexican government approved amendments to the country’s renewable energy bill… aimed at promoting rooftop photovoltaic solar panels at public schools.

Not only will the education centers benefit from a free and environmentally friendly source of energy, but also surplus energy will be able to be sold back to others in the community.

Currently Mexico offers a generous reward scheme for those who want to invest in solar photovoltaic. Mexico was the second country in the world to implement long-term climate change targets into national legislation. The renewable energy bill calls for a 30% reduction in emission growth by 2020, and 50% by 2050 with 35% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2024.

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Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto

Mon, April 01, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

President Barack Obama to Visit Mexico in May

U.S. President Barack Obama will meet his Mexican counterpart, President Enrique Peña Nieto, during a visit to Mexico in early May. The bilateral meeting is expected to address issues of trade, economic growth and immigration. …

"The president welcomes the opportunity to discuss ways to deepen our economic and commercial partnership and further our engagement on the broad array of bilateral, regional, and global issues that connect our two countries," the White House said.

While he was still president-elect of Mexico, Peña Nieto met with President Obama in November 2012, and invited him to visit Mexico. Vice President Joe Biden attended President Peña Nieto’s December 2012 inauguration ceremony.

The upcoming visit will be President Obama’s fourth trip to Mexico. President Obama previously visited Mexico in April and August 2009 for a meetings with then President Felipe Calderón. President Obama also attended the G-20 Summit in Los Cabos in June 2012.

See video

Sun, March 24, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Female Sailor Galia Moss Makes History Again

Mexico’s brand ambassador Galia Moss, the first female in Latin America and Mexico to travel solo across the Atlantic Ocean, is currently… sailing her third solo trip. This time, her adventure takes place in Latin America.

On November 6, 2012, Galia embarked on an expedition that would make history. She started her journey in Xcaret located in Riviera Maya – one of the most popular beach destinations for American and Canadian tourists – and is making her way around the tip of Argentina. After approximately 180 days, Galia will finish her trip on the sunny shores of Acapulco.

The sailboat carrying this female pioneer was built in France and designed by architect Marc Lombard fit to Galia’s needs. It was named “El Mas Mejor II” and is a 35-foot vessel with its own kitchen and living area to help Galia feel at home during her six-month journey. As a Mexico brand ambassador, Galia’s sailboat also has the Mexico Today logo on it.

After covering nine thousand miles in 41 days on her first trip across the Atlantic Ocean, Galia has gained considerable mention in the news. She was even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for her first solo trip.

As a representative of Mexico and women in Latin America, Galia strives to promote education in her home country. She supports “Just Raise Your Hand” alliance, which improves school infrastructure and provides resources to children in need. For every 1.813 nautical miles, the Alliance improves the infrastructure of 1-8 schools and for every 10 miles, one child receives financial support and school supplies.

For updates on Galia’s sailing journey, visit her website at http://galiamoss.org, which features a blog, maps and images from her trip.

Mon, March 18, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexico excels at ecotourism and adventure tourism

Mexico is a country filled with hidden gems. From its artisan towns to its ecotourism, from mountains to monarch sanctuaries, Mexico has an… adventure for everyone. Mexico is being recognized for its variety of tourism offerings. In Veracruz, Adventure Travel Trade Shows showcase Mexico’s best tour operators for adventure tourism. A few suggestions for a voyage geared towards adventure tourism or ecotourism include Tapijulapa, Capulalpam, and the monarch butterfly reserves.

Towns such as Tapijulapa and Capulalpam de Méndez are overflowing with culture. Tapijulapa, Tabasco, is renown for its crafts, tradition and nature. The picturesque cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed houses with red-tiled roofs. Artisans make crafts that woven from regional vines called “matusay,” with the end products resembling wicker furniture. These crafts have been made for over half a century. Tapijulapa is also home to ecological reserves. Inside Yu-Balcah, tourists walk through the jungle and experience endangered animals, camping, biking and kayaking. The Kolem Jaa ecotourism center has a breathtaking collection of waterfalls with botanical gardens and nature trails scattered in-between.

The quiet Capulalpam de Méndez is nestled within the mountains of Oxaca. Originally settled a century ago, Capulalpam’s ecotourism center is equipped with zip lines that take visitors soaring over the Molinos River. Forest trails play home mountain bikes, horseback riding, and local foot tourists. A little off the beaten track, Capulalpam provides the quiet serenity of nature, along with the organic excitement of nature.

In the forests of central Mexico hides the winter home to monarch butterflies. The iconic monarch is truly a marvel of nature. Every fall, tens of millions of the nearly threatened species fly to Mexico to seek refuge in the warm weather. There are only a dozen sites in central Mexico that the monarchs can thrive in. They fill the trees and completely coat the branches in flurries of orange and black. Those lucky enough to see these clouds of monarchs say it is a marvelous phenomenon.

Mexican_Based_VUHL_Builds_Supercar

Fri, March 15, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexican-Based VUHL Planning to Build SuperCar

Ever since the Mexican Mastretta sports car went viral, another Mexican firm announced its intentions to make a super sports car.

Pronounced ‘vool’, the VUHL is an abbreviation created from the phrase, “Vehicle of Ultra-lightweight and High-performance”. Vuhl, a new highly specialized supercar manufacturer, will launch onto the world stage when it unveils its first production car, the Vuhl 05, at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

According to the company, the Vuhl 05 is a “road-legal lightweight supercar that’s been precision-engineered for the track and endowed with exhilarating performance.” A brand started by brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexican/American design agency came up with the 05’s look. Vuhl will produce its chassis and complete final assembly in Mexico City after receiving lightweight bodies fabricated in Canada before vehicle handling is optimized in the UK.

No other details about VŪHL’s 05 have been released, although we know it will feature components sourced from Magna Steyr, Multimatic and Ford. When the VUHL 05 supercar break lights, it will be very interesting to see if this vehicle will revise the way the world view Mexico’s auto industry.

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Solar_America_Mexico_HotSpot_Solar_Projects

Fri, March 15, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Solar America Looks toward Mexico and Central America as Next Hot Spot for Solar Projects

Mexico and Central America are regions capable of experiencing growth in the solar market. In particular, Mexico has proven to be a viable candidate, with infrastructure already in place to power and meet the demands of an alternative energy solution.

Mexico’s energy minister has stated that less than one percent of Mexico’s land would need to be developed with solar energy to power the entire nation.

Mexico is committed to investing 31.4 billion pesos in renewable energy programs by 2020, it is no surprise that Solar America is excited to establish a niche in this rapidly growing sector in Mexico.

Moreover, Solar America recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Valdez de Cueva Constructores to implement solar energy solutions for a housing project in Tonlola, a suburb of Guadalajara.

The partnership between Solar America and Mexico will help the country reach its renewable energy target of thirty five percent from alternative sources. With such government support, viable space and an abundance of sunlight these are just a few reasons Solar America has targeted Mexico.

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Tue, March 12, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexico Luxury Tourism Earns Global Recognition

Mexico is synonymous with luxury travel, whether for spa vacations, all-inclusive resorts, fine dining or world-class shopping.

The luxury travel network Virtuoso ranked Mexico number two in the world in luxury destinations, second only to Italy. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa de Carmen was named Best Spa in the World by Virtuoso and also earned a SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award. In its 2013 Luxe Report, Mexico was ranked among the top five family luxury destinations in the world.

The Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's leading luxury destinations, with ten of Mexico's sixteen AAA Five Diamond properties located in that region. Other premier luxury destinations include celebrity favorite Los Cabos, the beach resorts of the Riviera Nayarit and Mexico City which is home to several world class luxury hotels and two of the World's 50 Best Restaurants according to the San Pellegrino rankings.

Mexico_Hippie_Haven_Zipolite

Fri, March 08, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico’s Hippie Haven of Zipolite

Mexico’s laid-back tourist treasure Zipolite has become a favorite of old hippies, young adventure-seekers and locals who are looking for a quiet, tranquil getaway.

A sleepy town with one main street and no ATMs, Zipolite is one of many tiny coastal pueblos that dot the Pacific in Mexico’s Southern state of Oaxaca. Stretching from Puerto Escondido to Huatulco, the region is sometimes called the Oaxaca Riviera.

The hippie crowd discovered Zipolite in the 1960s and since then it has slowly evolved into an offbeat tourist spot for middle-class Mexicans and free-wheeling liberals from across the globe.

Unlike the party-all-night, Cancun-like atmosphere that Mexico has come to be associated with, Zipolite nightlife equates to gathering on the beach to watch brilliant sunsets, or posting up at a restaurant or bar for live music and entertainment.

“Zipolite after six is awesome with all the dreadlocked kids hoping to sell their creations along with a great choice of different restaurants,” said Mike Bolli, a retiree from Vancouver, Canada, who has been visiting the area for the last 10 years. “It’s not overcrowded but you can find a crowd if you want.”

It feels light years away from the areas of Mexico that tourists now avoid due to drug violence. The U.S. State Department spared Oaxaca from its travel warnings about Mexico, making Zipolite visitors feel safe about extending their visit or returning annually.

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Zipolite

Mexican_President_EPN_Tallies_Victories_Optimism

Mon, March 04, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto Tallies Early Victories, Brings Optimism

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto is making headway on his campaign promises and bringing a measure of optimism to his country’s government during his first two months in power. …

Showing a deft political touch, Pena Nieto has woven together a coalition of his Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI in its Spanish initials, with the major opposition parties for a broad agenda labeled “Pact for Mexico.”

Pena Nieto’s government has already pushed through a constitutional reform last month that returned the right to the government to hire and fire teachers and ended the selling of teaching jobs. Before the reform, the powerful teachers’ union and its despised, lifelong leader Elba Esther Gordillo retained such rights.

“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Jorge Buendia, the head of Buendia & Laredo, an independent polling firm. “It is without precedent to pull together the principal political forces on major structural reforms.”

The PRI does not hold a majority in either chamber of Congress, requiring it to seek coalitions.

“There’s a tide, a wave of optimism that this government can get issues through Congress,” Duncan Wood, the director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, said at a forum Jan. 9.

Pena Nieto’s predecessor, Felipe Caledron, who left office Dec. 1, made the drug war the focus of his government. While crime rates remain an issue in Mexico, Pena Nieto has promised to also spend time on reforms that include pledges to broaden the tax-collection system and modernize the state oil company.

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Mexico City

Culture_Tourism_Mexico

Fri, March 01, 2013 Brooke

Brooke
Joined: 23.10.2012

Cultural Tourism Shines in Mexico

Mexico’s vast and diverse cultural heritages have made it a unique destination for cultural tourism. Between the historic architecture, unique culture, delicious food, and friendly people; it is apparent why Mexico remains high on the list of places to visit.

In addition to the beautiful beaches and resorts, Mexico has amazing villages. Comala, Real Del Monte, and Valle de Bravo are just a few that everyone should see. Each village presents its own distinctive experience. When visiting the magical village of Comala, tourists fall in love with hiking to Volcán de Fuego; Mexico’s most active volcano. Other popular activities include: horseback riding, camping, fishing and watching dancers perform their seasonal routines while wearing hand carved Suchitlán (animal) masks. The mining town of Real del Monte is one of the highest populated places in Mexico and a trendy location for vacation homes. It is known for its steep streets, high sloping roofs, and considered to be the home of the ‘paste’ (Cornish pastry stuffed with a variety of fillings; sweet and savory). Valle de Bravo, located on the shore of Lake Avándaro, is a common getaway for those who live in Mexico City because it is a short two-hour drive. The main attraction is the Municipal Boardwalk and Dock. On the weekends artists sell their work and tourists rent boats and go on the lake. In addition to enjoying the relaxing day, there are a number of restaurants to choose from when hungry.

Mexico is not only a great place to visit; it is the home of two men who are leaders in their fields. The first is world famous Mexican chocolatier José Ramón Castillo and the second is renowned ballet dancer Isaac Hernández. José Ramón Castillo was recently the first Mexican to be selected for the most prestigious international chocolate guide, “Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat!” and owns the famous chocolate shop “Que Bo!” located in Mexico City. Isaac Hernández began dancing at the young age of 12 and has dominated the industry ever since. He currently dances for the San Francisco Ballet and hopes to revolutionize ballet in Mexico. Both men are stars and proud to call Mexico “home.”

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Cancun_Security_Spring_Breakers_arrival

Fri, March 01, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Cancun Steps Up Security Ahead of Spring Breakers' Arrival

As Spring Breakers descend on Cancun, Mexican officials are on hand to make sure they have a safe vacation.

"Operation Spring Breakers 2013" calls for the deployment of 138 Tourism Police officers from the city of Benito Juarez, where Cancun is located, more than 100 federal law enforcement agents, 86 marines and 80 army troops to maintain order.

"The federal forces are there for support" and will help patrol the hotel zone, nightclubs and shopping centers, "especially at night," the city officials said.

The security operation will last until April 15 in Cancun, where at least 60,000 college students from the United States and Canada are expected to arrive over the next few weeks to enjoy their spring breaks from school.

Spring Break chaos has arrived early in Mexico's Cancun this year with American college students already beginning their revelry across the resort.

Hundreds of students have been starting the party early in the Mexican city today, drinking heavily and dancing the night away with marines on patrol to ensure no one gets too carried away.

This year Cancun was found to be the number one destination for students looking to enjoy the typically wild week-long holiday which doesn't usually get going until March.

'Spring break is a week of rest and relaxation. You get away from tests, midterms, homework, work, anything,' Sean Wells, a senior at Indiana State University said.

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Cancun

Golf_Channel_Big_Break_Mexico_19th_Season

Fri, March 01, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Golf Channel's Big Break series heads to Mexico for 19th season

Beginning its 19th season on May 13, Golf Channel’s Big Break is set to take place in Mexico this year. The reality competition will take place in Riviera Maya at the Playa Paraiso Golf Club and nearby Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso.

Big Break Mexico, which was produced in partnership with the Mexico Tourism Board, will highlight the breathtaking aspects of the par-72 golf course rising out of the Mayan jungle. Such features include narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and hazards characteristic of the local surroundings.

The most popular of The Golf Channel’s original series, Big Break stars amateur, albeit talented, six men and six women golfers pitted against each other in mixed teams. Whoever wins after several challenges testing their mental and physical prowess will be offered an opportunity to play alongside the greats in an actual LPGA or PGA tournament.

Throughout the show’s history, several golfers have been had the good fortune to break into the world’s top tours after appearing. This season is no different as the female champion will play in the 2013 Lorena Ochoa Invitational, while the male champion will play in the 2013 OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Certainly, if all goes according to plan, this season will be a hole in one for both Mexican tourism as well as the players themselves.

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Thu, February 28, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

National Tourism Policy: Sustainability and Social Benefit

A key component of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s national tourism policy for Mexico is sustainability and social benefit …

“We are going to create instruments to ensure that tourism in Mexico is a clean industry that cares for and preserves our natural heritage, history and culture," said Peña Nieto in a recent specch outlining the National Tourism Policy.

Peña Nieto also stressed affordability of tourism, stating that "tourism cannot be considered as simply an activity for the privileged few or certain sectors."

Mexico already has a strong ecotourism sector and is a world leader in renewable energy and climate change. Mexico has made strides in the promotion of geotermal, wind and biofuels. Last year, Mexico passed a new climate law setting a target of 35 percent of electricity generation coming from renewable sources by 2024.