Mexicoโ��s International Tourism Revenues Reach Historic High

By Erick Laseca

Despite slight dip in international tourism arrivals, international tourism revenues reach historic high, pointing to full recovery of the industry after Hurricane Wilma

Despite Hurricane Wilmaโ��s lingering effect on room supply in the Mexican Caribbean in early 2006, Mexico closed the year with historically high international tourism revenues, pointing to a full recovery of the industry.

According to statistics recently released by Mexicoโ��s Tourism Secretariat (Sectur), Mexico received 21.35 million international visitors in 2006, a 2.6 percent dip in comparison with 2005, due in part to reduced room availability in the Mexican Caribbean stemming from damages sustained by several hotels during Hurricane Wilma in late 2005. Despite this, from April to December 2006, international tourism arrivals for 2006 were above figures posted the year before in all but two months.

Thanks to more aggressive marketing to the affluent traveler in particular, however, revenue generated by these tourists reached a record high of US$12.18 billion, 3.2 percent higher than 2005โ��s revenue of US$11.80 billion. In 2004, Mexicoโ��s international tourism revenues had totaled US$10.84 billion.

International visitors (excluding border tourists) to Mexico were reported to have spent an average of US$710.30 per person per visit in 2006, representing a 4.7 percent increase from 2005โ��s US$678.40 average spend.

Historically high international tourism revenues helped enable the tourism industryโ��s trade balance to post an impressive US$4.07 billion surplus in 2006.

Cruise ship passenger arrivals in 2006 posted strong numbers as well, with 6.52 million cruise passengers disembarking in Mexican ports, down only 2.8 percent from 2005 despite damage sustained from Hurricane Wilma to such leading cruise ports as Cozumel.
These passengers spent 458.3 million dollars in Mexico, compared with 452.6 million the previous year.

Some 1.95 million people were employed in the tourism sector by the end of 2006, a significant increase from the 1.83 million people employed by the end of 2005.

โ��The figures posted in 2006 demonstrate that within a year of a devastating hurricane, Mexicoโ��s tourism industry was already back to normal,โ�� said Mexico Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo. โ��This attests to a level of government commitment and degree of coordination with private sector partners rarely seen in areas elsewhere in the world affected by similar tragedies. We expect 2007 to be yet another successful year for our tourism industry, with increased growth across all segments, particularly among upscale travelers,โ�� he added.

About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexicoโ��s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTBโ��s North American Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com, or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com. To access an online warehouse of free, downloadable b-roll, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/visitmexicopress.

# # #

Erick Laseca
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517 ext14
erick.laseca@bm.com
http://www.visitmexicopress.com

The Hidden Jewels of Turkey

By Alvin Yakatori

Cappadocia in Turkey is rapidly becoming on of must visit places when on holiday in Turkey. Located in the Cappadocia region in the center of Turkey, you can easily take off and explore the region's elaborate underground cities, hidden cavernous churches and enchanting rock terrain.

If you are looking to visit the area you should choose a familiar name chain hotel, or one of Turkey's local chains. Then delve underground to experience Cappadocia's subterranean secret cities. Staying in such accommodations can leave you with plenty of cash to sample all that Turkey offers to her visitors. Local agents know of great places that are under-visited, new hotels that offer specials and ways to make connections that will save you time and money.

Those looking to relax will enjoy cruising the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts on a luxurious Turkish yacht, taking time to explore caves and coves along the way. Sleep overnight, or choose a longer itinerary where you can be lulled to sleep by the movement of the ocean and cooled by the sea breezes. A beach resort is perfect for a family vacation. Get up early one morning and watch the sunrise on the huge stone carved heads of past kings, (an earthquake shook the heads off the colossal statues centuries ago).

Hotels can be five star luxury retreats complete with spa treatments available, or you can opt to stay in a more budget minded hotel which allows you to save more money to spend on fun. If you opt to travel around Turkey during your vacation you really should try to use the public pransport system where possible. Coffee, tea, cakes, clean rest stops, and lemon cologne put Turkey's bus system in a league of its own. Cappadocia is a marvel to behold with its rooms and labyrinths carved into the huge cliff faces. Here you can make like Fred and Wilma Flintstone in a cave room that was carved into the mountainside back in the 5th or 6th century. You will be pleasantly surprised the price and comfort level.Turkey isn't home to just hotels; there are many other options you can choose from to give you an authentic Turkish experience

If you are looking for somewhere a little more off the beaten track than Bodrum and Marmaris then you should head for Nemrut. Nemrut sees lower numbers of tourists than the beach regions. As for the setting, well that's just pure tropical beach-style paradise.

For more info on Cappadocia cave hotels please visit our site - http://www.cappadocia-cave-hotels.info

Please feel free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to our site

Alvin Yakatori.

Living In Mexico - Sugar and Spice and This Time Nice Part 1

By Douglas Bower

Living in a Mexican town that is probably the most provincial in the entire country can have many advantages. One such is that this town is really mired in its "group-oriented" mentality. What this means is that rather than the "I am Mexican; hear me roar" mentality so pervasive in America, it is "We are Mexican; hear Us roar." Mexican traditionalists tend to derive their identity from their family group, their work group, their neighborhood group, and so on. They think of themselves as members within these groups. They judge whether they are doing well or not by how well they are functioning within these various groups.

I rather love this concept. The gringo can, in a small way, cash in on this. In the first neighborhood we lived in here in Guanajuato, there was a Mexican family that did not do well within the "Neighborhood Group." They had these really vile little mutt dogs that loved to bark relentlessly. When they weren't sleeping, they were barking. Like most Mexicans in this town with dogs, though they had a yard, they felt it necessary to cut these dogs loose at least once a day, sometimes twice, to roam the streets.

This was a signal to the dogs that their owners approved of their reprobate behavior of biting and mauling the ankles of those who dared pass by, especially Gringo Ankles. Poopie and Pongo especially loved eating my flesh. I don't fault the dogs. They were born as the spawn of Satan so I do not hold it against them. Though I had plotted their deaths many times, I soon grew to forget my animosity and rejoice in the fact that everyone else in the neighborhood wanted to kill these two dogs.

Well, I tried reasoning with these people. One of the owners was a deaf dwarf who wondered just why don't Americans show a little tolerance to a bit of noise? Of course, he couldn't hear his dogs barking, making the sonorous and earsplitting roar that two yip-yip dogs create. And, just perhaps the TV he ran at maximum heart attack-inducing volume had something to do with it.

We complained to the Internet Caf้ guy in the neighborhood and he said he wife would take care of the problem. And, she did. Her reasoning was that we gringos were just as much a part of the neighborhood group as any of the Mexicans were. She told the deaf dwarf as much. She said that the way he refused to control his loud and ankle-biting dogs was not appropriate and not good for "The Neighborhood Group." We were part of the whole. The rest of the neighbors (one of whom walked by the dogs, opened their gate, and chased them down the block in hopes they would keep going and never return-it didn't work!) stood up for us even though we were gringos.

That just one of the things I love about this town.

THE PLAIN TRUTH ABOUT LIVING IN MEXICO

Manhattan Professional Vacation Idea

By Colleen Barry-Sleicher

Manhattan Executive,NYC Executive

Manhattan Travel New Mexico

Manhattan Professional US Travel Break

http://www.manhattanhome.org

New Mexico

When you don't feel like leaving the country New Mexico and other points nationally can be a nice eye opener to a completely different environment, cuisine, etc.

Highlights and some noteworthy points.

Crisp mountain air and beautiful scenary.

Zuni

The Zuni Mtns of the Mt. Taylor District have a rich and colorful history of railroad logging from 1892 to 1942. Mt. Zuni has beautiful scenery. Blue water state park is a very nice lake in the area. Gulf course and a couple casinos in the area. The Turquoise Mtn is 11'301'' tall, the highest peak in the Northwestern portion of New Mexico.

The surrounding area is the Sandia, Manzano and Sangre de Cristo Mountain Ranges. Hiking, Biking, hunting and scenic drives attract people from all over.

Plenty of winter activity as well such as the Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon" which draws racing enthusiast from all over.

New Mexicos natural arches part of a vast wilderness area.

Franciscan Missions throughout NW New Mexico.

The Bandera Crater,

Arts and ambience of the Zuni Pueblo.

Wolves and wolf dogs.

(Manhattan Travel New Mexico)

Chaco is an ancient Pueblon urban center, active trading area and ceremony hub with some of the architecture still standing. This urban center was active from AD 850 to 1250.

Northwest New Mexico, one of Americas most fascinating areas. Our climate is mild year round, typical of the high desert.

Shiprock, Navajo Reservation, Red Rock state park, Sky City,

Stables horse back Riding

Air Ballooning, trail rides, rafting, fly fishing, Mountain biking, Tram ride to the top of a m,ountain for hiking along the trails on top.

Take you ATV or jeep into the Red canyons of New Mexico.

Scenic Air Ventures of the Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Mesa verde, Painted Desert and Indian Back Country Cliff Dwellings.

Harley Davidson Rentals.

New Mexico-the Land of Enchantment.

White sands national Monument. White sand dunes, one of the Worls Natural wonders.

Gaudalaupe Peak-highest mountain

(Manhattan Travel New Mexico)

Gold Panning, white water rafting

Stargazing. With the absence of light pollution and the high elevation stargazing is exceptional and perfect in New Mexico.

New Mexico is filled with natural wonders, from natural hot springs high in the mountains to the world's largest deposit of gypsum sand. Explore undeveloped caves, walk lava flows and stare in awe at dazzling rock formations.

Scenic Byways

Stars-N-Parks

http://www.nightskyadventures.com/

Profesional Observatories and public observatories and guides at parks, etc and Guided Night Sky Tours

Ancient Ruins

Bisti Badlands Strange and fragile sandstone formations which make it seem like you are on a planet other than Earth. View more

Carlsbad Caverns National Park The Carlsbad Caverns contain gigantic subterranean chambers and formations and are home to 300,000 Mexican free-tail bats who reside in the Caverns from the spring until October. View more

Capulin Volcano National Monument Capulin Mountain is the core of a volcano that was active about 10,000 years ago. A great variety of wildlife and vegetation can be found here. View more

(Manhattan Travel New Mexico)

City of Rocks State Park The rock formations at the park are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world. View more

El Malpais National Monument The Malpais is a spectacular volcanic area partially formed as recently as 1,000 years ago. It features spatter cones, a 17 mile-long (27.4km) lava tube system and ice caves. View more

Tent Rocks National Monument Cone-shaped tent rock formations that are the products of explosive volcanic eruptions . View more

Valles Caldera National Preserve A 15 mile wide center of a million-year old collapsed Volcano. View more

White Sands National Monument This is part of the world's largest gypsum dunefield where glistening dunes rise 60 feet (18m) high and cover 275 square miles (443.5km). View more

Scenic Byways

New Mexico is home to 26 magnificent scenic byways. In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state! The America's Byways Program is part of the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and was established to help recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the states. The US Secretary of Transportation recognizes these designated roads based on 1 or more intrinsic qualities - archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, or scenic.

New Mexico's Scenic Byways:

(Manhattan Travel New Mexico)

Abo Pass Trail - The Abo Pass Trail is a unique route which showcases the natural beauty of the Salt Missions area.

Billy The Kid National Scenic Byway - Come celebrate the history of the Wild West on Billy the Kid Trail.

Corrales Road Scenic Byway - Travel Corrales Road, shaded by cottonwoods and offering breathtaking views.

Dry Cimarron Scenic Byway - A multi-state route traveling through Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

El Camino Real National Scenic Byway - Travel the Royal Highway of the Interior Land.

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway - This winding route takes you through some of the most beautiful areas of North Central New Mexico.

Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway - The Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway road is a picturesque and unique drive.

Guadalupe Back Country Byway - The Guadalupe Back Country Byway provides a gateway for access to many recreational opportunities.

Jรฉmez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway - Traveling this trail is a journey through time in a leisurely day trip that takes you past fantastic geologic formations.

La Frontera del Llano - Spend the day traveling through the grasslands and plains of New Mexico and experience the natural "Wild West".

Lake Valley Back Country Byway - Meandering drive on dirt roads takes you to ruins of 1880s mining town of Lake Valley.

Mesalands Scenic Byway - The very flat tops and steep rock walls of mesas are a unique feature of central New Mexico.

Narrow Gauge Scenic Byway - Visit the Narrow Gauge, known for its outstanding scenic, cultural, and historic qualities.

Native Heritage Trail - The Native Heritage Trail exposes visitors to exploration routes and world-famous archeological sites.

New Mexico Motorcycle Rides! - NMMR! is a New Mexico motorcycle touring information website, created to promote safe motorcycle ride adventures on the beautiful roads and byways of New Mexico.

Puye Cliffs Scenic Byway - Visit the best known landmark of the Santa Clara Pueblo.

Quebradas Back Country Byway - The Quebradas (kay-brah'-das) Back Country Byway crosses about 24 miles of rugged land colorful country east of Socorro.

Route 66 National Scenic Byway - Come travel the legendary Route 66 urban/rural byway.

Salt Missions Trail - Take a journey back in time and travel along the Salt Missions Trail.

Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway - Magnificent mountain scenery and cool summer temperatures lure vacationers to fish, hunt, camp, hike and backpack.

Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway - Explore the rich legacy of western expansion in Colorado and New Mexico.

Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway - The Socorro Scenic Byway winds through the Socorro Historical District.

Sunspot Scenic Byway - The majestic Sacramento Mountains offer the traveler spectacular views of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands National Monument.

The High Road to Taos - Through its art, landscapes, and history, the High Road to Taos will tell a story of its past and present.

Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway - The Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway beckons you to experience the beauties of southwestern New Mexico.

Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway - Leave the freeway and venture onto the Turquoise Trail, the scenic route that links Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Wild Rivers Back Country Byway - Cutting through the high plains of northern New Mexico, the Rio Grande flows through an 800 foot deep volcanic canyon.

Rio Grand River trips

(Manhattan Travel New Mexico)

Acoma Puebla, alos known as "Sky city" Cabezon Peak Ship Rock Peak

Scuba Diving

Los Alamos

Wheeler Peak is the highest peak in the state of New Mexico in the United States, with an elevation of 13,161 feet (4,011 m). It is located in the northern part of the state, northeast of Taos. It lies in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains.

Whether backpacking or dayhiking, Wheeler Peak offers a spectacular outdoor experience. Big horn sheep are abundant but are wary of visitors. There are two main routes to the summit, the Bull-of-the-Woods Trail, and the Williams Lake Trail. The Bull-of-the-Woods trail (also called the Wheeler Peak Trail) is 16 miles round trip and is a well-marked class 1 trail, The Williams Lake trail to the summit is approximately seven miles round trip and is a steep class 2 trail, with the final 1000 ft being a rocky scree slope.

Manhattan Professional US Travel Break

Where to Find Discount Golf Clubs

By Ken Wilssens

Being a cheap and affordable alternative to buying from a retailer, purchasing discount golf clubs is an excellent way to save a little cash. Buying a brand new set of clubs from a local retailer can be quite expensive and often consumers are forced to purchase individual clubs or just a few golf clubs at separate times. This can easily be overcome by buying via a discount method, as with discount pricing the consumer can buy virtually an entire set for roughly the same price as just a number of clubs from a local department store. Also, despite what some may think, one of the main advantages of purchasing discount golf clubs is that nearly any brand name you desire can be bought in this fashion and obviously at a much cheaper price.

More often than not, many of the manufacturers who offer their products at discount prices, sell via a wholesaler. A common place to find a wholesaler is on the Internet as a wealth of producers sell over the web. This provides the consumer with a number of benefits. Firstly, wholesale prices are generally up to 50 percent cheaper than department store prices. As if the savings were not enough at this point, most wholesalers provide free shipping and handling directly to the door of the consumer. Great care is taken when shipping also, to ensure that the golf clubs are in as good a condition as possible.

There are many common misconceptions about wholesalers and discount pricing as well. Many people believe that the quality and durability of the product received from a
wholesaler is not a good as golf clubs bought at a local retailer, which is not the case. The extra care taken when shipping guarantees that the golf clubs are of equal or even greater quality than those available in a department store. Also, as mentioned previously, many manufacturers supply wholesalers with their golf clubs, thus the items available are completely authentic and not clones or worthless knockoffs..

For lots of information on golf clubs and other golf related topics, visit Your Golf Guide at http://www.yourgolfguide.com

Uranium: At The Center of New Mexico's Nuclear Renaissance

By James Finch

Once the proud center of the Uranium Universe, and until recently the world's largest uranium producer, the city of Grants (New Mexico) nearly collapsed in the 1980s as uranium prices sank into a twenty-year depression. Five thousand uranium miners lost their jobs, and the city elders panicked, searching for an industry with which to replace mining. "Uranium companies helped build our hospital, our school and most of our major infrastructure," Star Gonzales, Cibola County's Head of Economic Development, told StockInterview.com. "We are a mining community and know it is beneficial."

Grants is a sleepy town of less than 10,000, north of Interstate 40, off exit 85, and about an hour's west of Albuquerque. This past November, we toured the town's Mining Museum, which boasts of having the only underground uranium mining museum. Grants is now a "prison town," and instead of mining uranium, the town runs most of the state's prison system. The times are changing again, though. Along with the recent $45.50/pound spot uranium price, revival of uranium mining in Grants is all but a done deal. Several uranium companies have taken their first steps into Cibola County. As with the state of Wyoming, more will follow them.

IS URANIUM MINING AGAIN WELCOME IN GRANTS?

We wondered what the political pulse on uranium mining would be like in Grants. So we talked to several representatives on the city, county and state level. Fasten your seatbelts, and move over Wyoming. Grants, New Mexico is making a public invitation to all uranium mining companies. "We will greet them with open arms!" Star Gonzales shouted into her phone. "We are very mining friendly in this community." That's an understatement. Grants Mayor Joe Murrietta returned from Vietnam after being wounded on the Fourth of July 1968 with a Purple Heart and began working at Anaconda's uranium mill in Grants, New Mexico. He worked for Anaconda and ARCO for fifteen years before the uranium boom in his town ended. "We can handle the mining industry, and we are looking forward to having it back," Murrietta told us. The mayor is confident the entire community would welcome uranium miners back.

Grants City Manager Bob Horacek worked in a uranium mill, as a college student twenty five years ago, and remembered it was a nice source of income to help him pay tuition. "We are obviously looking for jobs," he told us. "It's a pro, and economically we could use the higher paying jobs." Asked about one company, which announced it may build a mill, possibly in Cibola County, Horacek quickly responded, "I'd like to visit with them." State Senator Joseph A Fidel, a Democrat representing District 30, which includes Cibola and Socorro counties, perked up during our interview, when we talked about uranium in his county, "I would be happy to have mining come back. It would be very positive economically."

We talked about environmental activists. Senator Fidel explained, "If there are protests, they will come from outsiders, from Taos or other parts of the country." Ms. Gonzales agreed, "There will be no protests from the local community. The mining spirit still lives today in this town." These echoed State Senator Leavell's remarks, in part two of this series, "Most of the protestors have come from San Francisco, DC and Santa Fe." Fidel concluded, 'The community will be very supportive of uranium mining. People will be cooperative and will react positively, when the time comes."

Each of the politicians interviewed were cautious, but optimistic. Grants, New Mexico was hard hit. As with the Governor of Wyoming, who basically told uranium companies to put up or shut up, New Mexican decision makers are waiting to hear directly from uranium companies. Are they serious? Fidel pointed out, "I believe it will materialize into something serious." After all, the county may be sitting on hundreds of millions of pounds of unrecovered uranium. More than 340 million pounds, possibly a great deal more, of uranium was produced before mining came to a standstill during the twenty-year drought. "We have a lot of uranium," said Senator Fidel. "The county has good potential."

James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. To read StockInterview's entire Uranium Series, visit http://www.stockinterview.com

Cancun Real Estate Investment Opportunity

By Tom Budniak

Cancun has some of the world's most scenic white sand beaches with crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea . This made Cancun, the top tourist destination in Mexico . Coupled to this, friendly Latin people and the vibrant culture of Mexico attract more and more tourists to its shores. No wonder that there is an excellent opportunity for investing in Cancun Real Estate


Real estate industry is experiencing a boom in residential sector and it is estimated that it will continue for at least next 5 years. Many new developments with excellent facilities and attractive offerings are coming up fast in Cancun and its surrounding areas.


Cancun has many other factors going for it. It is also rapidly reinventing itself as the major centre of business in the region with newer and bigger shopping, services, businesses and distribution centers coming up quickly. Since the economic growth of Cancun is attracting more investment and business is growing every passing year to the area, Mexicans and visitors keep returning to Cancun and many of preferring to buy to second home.


This has made Cancun one of the most preferred residential tourist destination in Latin America, therefore it offers ample opportunity for investing Property in Cancun!
Nowadays, with people opting for high-end luxury residential tourist condominiums and mega developments, the sun is really shining brightly on Cancun real estate market.


There has been never been a better time for those really interested in Cancun real estate investing to cash in on this boom. It's not a big secret that pre-construction luxury condos in Cancun give the best returns. More often then not all the condos get sold even before they are full complete and are available only high prices thereafter.


In addition, according to AMPI (The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals) this year the amount of Americans and European buyers has increased dramatically in the Mexico , which is further indication that this is the best time ever for Cancun real estate investing.


Author: Tom Budniak


Tom Budniak operates, owns, and manages Realty Executives Mexican Carribean here in Cancun, Mexico. For the best deals in Cancun Real Estate, contact Tom Budniak. Check out all of the resources available through Tom and Realty Executives Mexican Carribean for the best deals in Real Estate in Cancun. Tom is a Certified Member of RMRE and MLS 4 Riviera Maya.