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. 

Approximately 400 sculptures will be created by internationally renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and will then be sunk within this National Park on the barren areas of seabed at various depths. The first placing of sculptures will begin on November 14^th 2009.  Each piece of art will be life-sized, with a base of four square meters. There will be several theme based installations, such as an army of indigenous Mayan people entitled “The Silent Evolution” and other sculptures such as the “Dream Collector” who catalogues messages in bottles set adrift from various corners of the world.

One of the first messages in a bottle attached to the above mentioned sculpture reads: “May our hearts, never become as hard as our heads”, by Roberto Diaz, President of the Cancun Underwater Museum. 

“This is a unique opportunity to explore the boundaries of art and combine it with reef conservation” said Jason de Caires Taylor, British underwater sculptor of the unique sculptures. The main piece will encompass between 300 to 400 lifelike figures based on actual living people.  Once the main first phase of the project is completed other artists will be encouraged to submit their own sculptures and contribute to this unique museum. 

The National Park’s director, Jaime Gonzalez Cano, calculates that by April 2010 there will be approximately 250 sculptures in the underwater museum.

 ”The underwater museum will draw many visitors, allowing us to give a rest to the natural reefs. It’s like a restoration process”, Gonzalez explained.

Upon the opening of the museum, divers will be required to gain experience in artificial habitats and snorkelers will continue to wear life jackets for buoyancy to prevent damaging the natural corals and the new artificial habitats.

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.

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.

The project, which represented a total investment of approximately US$67 million, also included a new control tower, the tallest in Latin America, and one of the top 20 tallest control towers worldwide.
With this project, ASUR expects to contribute to economic development in the region and to maintain Cancún’s position at the forefront of airport services in Mexico and Latin America.

For more information regarding Cancun International Airport visit http://cancun.travel/en/general-information/airport-and-customs/

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.

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.

START TIME: 7:00 AM, at the XelHá’s floating bridge. Categories per age first and then at 7:10 AM and 7:15 AM children and teenagers aged 9 to 15, respectively.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 500 Triathletes

SIGN UP: From August 19th to November 5th till 4 PM or when the numbers run out Via Internet with your credit card at www.triatlonxelha.com Bank deposit: Request registration form calling 998 8847165 or via email: custumerservice@xelha.com.mx At Paseo Cancún Shopping Center, Elite Cyclery Shop, Av. Andrés Quintana Roo SM39 Mz. 10 lote 1 local 48 At Sport City Cancún, Av. Tulum Sur, Lotes 2 y 4 Manzana 2, Supermanzana 15A *Registration fees are not refundable

FEES: Category 9 to 17 years $200.00 pesos M.N. Category per age from 18 to 50 or more years of age $400.00 pesos M.N. Relay category (three participants) $600.00 pesos M.N.

TIMES AND RESULTS: Each participant will be provided with a borrowed timing chip along with his/her competitor’s registration kit. An automated timing and results system will provide the results at the end of the competition. Results will be posted up on our website www.triatlonxelha.com

PRIZES: Acknowledgement for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place of each category Prizes for the five first overall places, male and female

1st place $5000.00 pesos
2nd place $4000.00 pesos
3rd place $3000.00 pesos
4th place $2000.00 pesos
5th place $1000.00 pesos
Inkind prizes for minor categories:
9 to 11 – Inkind prize at Sport City and four entrance tickets to XelHá Park to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; and a swim with dolphins program for the 1st place of each category.
12 to 13 Inkind prize at Sport City and four entrance tickets to XelHá Park to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; and a swim with dolphins program for the 1st place of each category.
14 to 15 Inkind prize at Sport City and four entrance tickets to XelHá Park to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place; and a swim with dolphins program for the 1st place of each category.
All competitors go into the draw to win two Sport City memberships.

MANDATORY PRERACE BRIEFING: XelHá Park on Saturday November 7th, at the parking lot of the Organizing Committee; two schedules to choose: at 10 AM or 5 PM

RACE KIT PICKUP, BIKE CHECKIN AND MARKING: Saturday November 7th, at the Organizing Committee tent located at XelHá parking lot, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. (No race kits or marking will be provided on the day of the event)

JUDGES AND RULES: Judges will be appointed by the Organizing Committee and the event will observe the current regulations of the FMTRI and the rules established by the Organizing Committee.

XELHÁ ALL INCLUSIVE Come with your family and enjoy the best All Inclusive at Mexico’s Natural Wonder. XelHá is an invitation to live the magic and the adventure of nature through an incredible concept: XelHá All Inclusive. The All Inclusive package is your ticket to an endless source of amazement and fun to make your visit even more fascinating. Treat yourself to all the delicacies of our buffet breakfast and restore your energy with our wide variety of snacks. Order your favorite drink and eat all you can, at any of our restaurants, as many times as you want. Have fun choosing from our selection of buffets: Mexican, Regional or International. Delight your palate with no limits tasting our exquisite ice creams and desserts. The All Inclusive ticket to XelHá will get you ready for the best underwater experience providing you with snorkel equipment – including a complimentary snorkel tube, use of lockers and all towels you may need. Use of life jackets, bikes, inner tubes, showers, dressing rooms, sun beds and hammocks is also included. Dare to experience all nature around! All water and ground wonders and lots of adventures await you with the purchase of your All Inclusive ticket. Snorkel across the most spectacular natural aquarium and surrender to its beauty. Jump from the Cliff of Courage and shout at the top of your lungs. Unveil the secrets of the river and flow down its magical current. Visit the Black Lagoon and paddle towards a new horizon of peace and silence… The wonders to explore are endless!

For further information visit http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/adventure/ecological-theme-parks/

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/

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.

During a press conference, CEO of the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jesus Almaguer, and the President of the Cancun Hotel Association Rodrigo de la Pena,  stressed the importance of this tourism marketing event which included 650 delegates from 20 countries.  This event allows Cancun to strengthen its business relationship with wholesale agents whose objective is to increase the promotion and number of visitors to Cancun.

“If the economy is improving, we expect to have a good winter, similar to last years and a better 2010,” said Almaguer, who stressed the important rise in tourism that has been recorded within the United States, Canadian and Mexican markets. In addition, the online travel agency Travelocity announced during the tourism mart, an increase of 15 points was registered regarding sales to the touristic destination, while Expedia, another one of the most important online travel agencies with a presence in 15 countries, confirmed that Cancun is the primary tourism destination preferred by North Americans to visit outside of the United Sates.

“This is a good indicator. Proof that good things are being done, because these are companies that manage the pulse and trends of the North American travel market”, stated the Director.  The President of the Cancun Hotel Association stated that during the Cancun Travel Mart Mexico Summit 2009, the grand majority of the operators promised to work collectively to promote and increase the flow of visitors to Cancun and Puerto Morelos.

“Yes, the United States is our principal market, but Cancun is being promoted within other important niche markets allowing diversity,” emphasized the hotel leader after stressing that thanks to the high quality and large variety of attractions offered by the destination, the domestic tourism market was able to register a great increase in visitors during the past summer season.

Finally, the Cancun OVC and Cancun Hotel Association officials cited that they are looking to the future of tourism with optimism and are cautiously working to creatively generate more tourism for Cancun, with the support of the their business partners.

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. 

Eduardo Albor, General Director of the Dolphin Discovery Group, said that with the new commercial alliance the Cancun company reaffirms without a doubt the leadership they have maintained for 15 years as the number one family dolphin experience in Mexico and worldwide. 

In 2008 alone, 400,000 visitors enjoyed swimming with the dolphin through this company.  Currently the Dolphin Discovery houses 117 dolphins, 11 sea lions, and nine manatees.

For more information on swimming with dolphins in Cancun visit http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/adventure/swim-with-dolphins/

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. 

With the addition of this award, 11 Cancun hotel concierges now employ the “Les Clefs d’Or” distinction, certifying the destination’s superior service.  Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa’s General Manager Jorge Herran states: “Being able to hold four ‘gold key’ distinctions within our hotel commands a larger commitment to our guests, associates and for the destination of Cancun in general.”

For more information on the fantastic hotels available in Cancun visit http://cancun.travel/en/hotels/

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.”