CANCUN UNVEILS THE WORLD’S LARGEST UNDERWATER MUSEUM

The National Park West Coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc, which  receives approximately 750,000 tourists annually, will feature more than  400 concrete sculpture figurines comprising the world’s largest underwater museum, right in the waters in front of Cancun and the island of Isla Mujeres.  

The project has been put into place to give the natural reefs the opportunity to flourish at a cost of more than $350,000 usd.   The Marine National Park has stepped up to the challenge of diverting tourists away from natural habitats along the natural coral reefs without losing their visitors,  and the US $36 million they bring directly  into the area each year. 

Hurricane Ida did not cause destruction nor danger to Cancun

HURRICANE “IDA” LEAVES THE STATE OF QUINTANA ROO WHILE ALL THE TOURISTIC AREAS CONTINUE TO OPERATE NORMALLY

Cancun, November 9. - Felix González, Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, said yesterday that the Hurricane “Ida,” category 2, left the coast of the Mexican Caribbean causing no harm to the population or to the touristic activity. Therefore, Cancun and the surrounding areas are operating normally.

During a press conference, Governor González confirmed that almost 65,000 tourists are currently enjoying all the services and activities available in the State except for the aquatic sports and activities that were suspended because of the rain. These have now been reactivated. 

Cancun foresees a positive weather forecast in the coming days since the now Tropical Storm Ida, is moving away from the coast and all possibilities of the storm affecting the area are gone.  “The most important fact is that the eye of the hurricane didn’t hit the soil of Quintana Roo, so we didn’t have any material damage,” added Gonzalez. He also said only Holbox Island was evacuated due to its proximity to the hurricane area. Schools and universities in the area are now working normally.

Regarding the beach recovery program, Governor Gonzalez said no major damage was reported, due to the waves only accelerating the process. Recovery work will resume immediately.

Cancun is located in the municipality of Benito Juarez, which is well known for its preparation in overcoming hurricanes. Putting in place proper contingency plans, 10 shelters were habilitated.    Fortunately the Government did not find a need to use them.

Cancún Airport Doubles Operating Capacity with Second Runway

ASUR, the first privatized airport group in Mexico and operator of Cancún Airport and eight other airports in
southeast Mexico, today announced the inauguration of the second runway ofCancún Airport, which doubles the airport’s capacity to approximately 28million passengers per annum. The increased capacity level is expected to meet forecasted demand for the next several decades.   The second runway, parallel to the existing one, allows for simultaneous takeoffs and landings, thereby increasing operating capacity to more than 80 takeoffs or landings per hour.

Sarah Brightman to perform at Chichen Itza on the 31st October

Sarah Brightman, the world renowned soprano, will perform October 31 at Chichen Itza.

Sarah Brightman follows in the footsteps of Placido Domingo who performed a sold-out concert at Chichen Itza last fall. Organizers have already announced that Elton John will perform next year at what is shaping up to be an annual event.

For more information about Chichen Itza please follow this link http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/mayan-culture/chichen-itza/ and you can also visit http://cancun.travel/en/hotels/ for ideas on where you can stay in Cancun and the best ways to get there.

 

1st Xel Ha Triathlon to be held on 8th November

 

The 1st XelHá Triathlon XelHá and 307 Sports is to be held in XelHa, with the support of the Quintana Roo Triathlon Association, in cooperation with the Youth and Sports Commission of Quintana Roo, the Youth and Sports Institute of Tulum and Cozumel, the Triathlon Mexican Federation and sponsors

INVITE: all triathletes, cyclists, swimmers and all the other great athletes to join the “1st XelHá Triathlon”

DATE & LOCATION: Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at XelHá Park. KM 240 Carretera Chetumal Puerto Juárez CP 77780 XelHá Q.Roo, México.

NBCs Kerry Sanders headed off to Mexico for the thrill of a lifetime Today Show

Now to an up-close encounter with the largest fish in the sea. NbC’s Kerry Sanders headed off to Mexico for the thrill of a lifetime. Reporter: in Cancun, Mexico, long before this was a tropical playground, the aquamarine waters here beckoned another thing, the world’s largest fish, as big as a school bus, a book of legend. It’s a huge a huge a huge. Reporter: up to 60 feet long, said fishermen. But who had ever seen such a fish? Haras palacios claims he saw his first one when he was 3 years old. Well, you feel like a piece of you because they’re huge animals. You also feel scared. You feel scared, like motion sickness. Reporter: in search of the unknown, we boarded a launch guided by a marine biologist who promised 20 to 30 miles off the coast wed find these so-called whale sharks. We’re going to see the whale sharks. Reporter: and just like they promised there they were, whale sharks that thankfully are not man-eaters. In all, we counted 64 gliding at the surface. Their mouths open, almost five feet wide, filtering the water to feed on fish eggs. The story goes, years ago, fishermen came out and actually caught one of these whale sharks, took it home and it tasted horrible. So, everyone pretty much ignored them. Then, about eight, nine years ago, one of the captains who was having a really bad day fishing wondered if maybe people would pay and go out and see these behemoths.

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If you would like the opportunity to swim with whale sharks please visit http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/adventure/whale-shark/

High Expectations at the Cancun Travel Mart for the winter season in Cancun

The Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Cancun Hotel Association confirmed that relationships between commercial partners have strengthened.  The majority of operators and tourism companies from the Mexican Caribbean who participated in Cancun’s Travel Mart Mexico Summit 2009 12th edition were pleased by the good results reached during the convention which guaranteed a 80% hotel occupancy for the next winter season.

Dolphin Discovery opens its doors at Mexico’s D.F. Six Flags

The Dolphin Discovery Group, a Cancun company with a vast and successful career with dolphins, has branched out within Mexico and opened the Dolphin Discovery of Six Flags Mexico on August 8^th.  Six Flags Mexico is the most visited and most important theme park in all of Latin America.   Investing more than $2 million, the new dolphin sanctuary in Mexico’s Six Flags has been renovated to include some of the most sophisticated technology, becoming the continent’s most advanced theme park. 

Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa holds the golden keys

The Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa is flaunting their “gold key” status resulting from four hotel concierges who hold the famous distinction of “The Clef d’Or” on the lapel of their uniform, identical to one granted  by the International Union of Hotel Concierges presented in 33 countries around the world. 

The “Clefs d’Or” consists of two crossed keys that the concierges carry on their lapel as a symbol of their vast knowledge of the local area and specialization in granting personal provisions and bringing pleasure to every guest, while ensuring the highest quality of service. 

Cancun is named leader in tourism during the World Travel Awards 2009

Cancun has been distinguished as the best tourist destination of Mexico & Central America.  Cancun received first prize in its category during the XVI Annual World Travel Awards 2009 held on September 21st, in the ballrooms of the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort Spa & Nature Park.

During the ceremony, the Cancun Center also received the first prize in the Convention Center category for Mexico & Central America, while other Mexican attractions in the area such as Tulum, Selvatica Puerto Morelos, Terminal Punta Langosta & Amigos de Sian Ka’an also received prizes within their designated categories. Chichen Itza received the prize for being a cultural destination leader.

At the beginning of the awards ceremony, to which more than 500 tourism industry guests and personalities from around the world attended, Quintana Roo’s Governor Felix Gonzalez assured that “our state has surpassed the challenges and setbacks and continues to strive to become the world’s leading tourism destination.”