Home Based Travel Agent - May 2008 - (Page 38)

Mexico FOR THE AGENT cently when the region saw an increase of 453,908 people from 2006 to 2007. And here’s the major reason why: This destination, according to agents we spoke to, used to be a spot for backpackers who would stay a night or two at any hotel. There were only 51 hotels and 1,470 rooms in 1995. But as the hotel product grew, so did the diversity of the clients going there—Riviera Maya now has 336 hotels and 34,765 rooms. Tourism Board Information To contact the Riviera Maya Tourism Board, home-based agents should call Javier Aranda Pedrero, tourism director, at 011-52-984-206-3150 or e-mail jaranda@ rivieramaya.com. Home-based agents can also visit www.rivieramaya.com. —JP The exterior of Azulik by Ecotulum Resorts & Spas’ Beachfront Villa has a rustic charm (above), while the interior is tranquil (left) and was established in 1994. This operator offers a wealth of tours in Mexico, including its signature Tulum Express tour. Home-based agents should call 011-52-984-873-0520 or e-mail riviera maya@royaletours.com.mx. REAL RESORT TO OPEN TWO TULUM PROPERTIES Real Resorts (www.realresorts.com. mx), which currently has properties in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, is on the verge of inking two new deals in Mexico, says Fernando Garcia Zalvidea, president of Real Resorts. Zalvidea told Home-Based Travel Agent about the new properties during the Mexico tradeshow Tianguis Turistico 33 in Acapulco. In the coming weeks, a deal to build two new properties in Tulum is expected to be finalized. Once the deal is set, the 400-room Gran Tulum Royal and the 250-room Royal Tulum are expected to be built approximately one year from now, Zalvidea says. Real Resorts is also looking to close deals in the same time frame for a 250-room Royal Los Cabos, also expected to be completed in about a year. Flight Information All major carriers fly into Cancun International Airport, a two-hour drive from Continued from page 36 Tulum. A new airport is being built in Tulum and is tentatively scheduled to open in late 2009 or 2010. in Mexico, operating a jungle ecoadventure tour in the Coba area. Home-based agents should call 01152-984-9688 or e-mail rivieramaya@ olympus-tours.com. Best Day Travel (www.bestday. com) is based in Cancun and offers a Tulum Caribbean Wonders tour that includes the area’s archaeological sites, swimming and snorkeling on the beach and snacks. Home-based agents should call 011-52-998-287-3674. Royale Tours (www.royaletours. com.mx) is based in Playa del Carmen By the Numbers Although the Riviera Maya Tourism Board doesn’t break down statistics by specific destinations in the region, it goes without saying that Tulum has been responsible for a large chunk of the increase in tourism there. From 1995 to 2007, the Riviera Maya saw a whopping increase in visitors—from a mere 390,588 to a staggering 2.8 million. The biggest spike came re- 38 Home-BasedTravelAgent MAY 2 0 0 8 http://www.rivieramaya.com http://www.realresorts.com.mx http://www.realresorts.com.mx http://www.bestday.com http://www.bestday.com http://www.royaletours.com.mx http://www.royaletours.com.mx

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Home Based Travel Agent - May 2008 Contents Editor’s Note: When It’s Just Not Worth It Publisher’s Note: Never Underestimate Your Lifeline: When Things Go Wrong, You May Need To Agent Spotlight: Odyssey Travel’s Michelle Duncan New Technology: Resources That Can Help You Quickly Industry News: Costa Names Field Sales Director Hot Deals: From the Caribbean to Canada and London Success Stories Independent Associations Southern Swing Mexico Dominican Republic Cover Story: Australia Family Trips Theme Tours New Products: Urban At Ease Laptop Messenger Bag

Home Based Travel Agent - May 2008

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