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Year 10 Vol. 1, Issue 143 Directory Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
Cover Subject:
WELL CONNECTED M&E DESTINATIONS
Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS manolo@ividmc.travel Second Generation, Innovator & President
Mexico Pages 4-7 Caribbean Pages 8-9 Central America Pages 10-13 South America Pages 14,15
• • • •
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel General Comptroller
Barcelona Pages 16,17
Francisco BAEZA, DMCP fbaeza@ividmc.travel Corporate Marketing & Product Development Director
Quick Hits: Pages 18-21 •
Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Quality Director
• • •
Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing
News from Cuba The Customer’s Always Right AIMIA’s Passion for Excellence Advertise with CommuniQuest
Pages 22,23
Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel Content & Editing
Let’s Cook:
How to Prepare Blue Skies
Fernando ROSAS corp.image@ividmc.travel Design
Page 24
Jorge OROZCO, DMCP jorozco@myday.travel Managing Director - MyDay Travel
Dr. Travel’s Travel Tip: You Are What You Eat Page 25 © Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved.
Destination Offices Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI Destination Managing Director yelosegui@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA, CMS Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² South America Jorge OROZCO, DMCP Regional Managing Director jorozco@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, IVI DMC² Dominican Republic Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit Ramon RIJO, CIS Jaime NELO, CMS, DMCP Regional Managing Director Destination Managing Director rrijo@ividmc.travel jnelo@ividmc.travel IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS Marketing Director rmijares@ividmc.travel
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IVI DMC² Panama Ligia VARGAS, CIS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
Message From Headquarters Dear reader, We are proud to say that we have friends in high places. We wouldn't be everywhere we are today in Latin America without some connections of our own. We've partnered with a wide range of business travel services to offer you a complete and seamless suite of options. A key partnership is that of airlines and their efficient connectivity in Latin America, which has evolved positively during the last years into a complex and beneficial offer that benefits the M&E industry. Whether joining an international corporate retreat or simply basking in the enjoyment of an incentive reward well earned, our vast network of airlines and wellthought-out connectivity will contribute to the success of your program. At IVI DMC2, we are confident that the destination you have selected will tweak your senses well beyond the ordinary. Book with us to enjoy competitive fares for groups, customized services designed to enhance your incentive travel experience, and site inspection support for decision makers. Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS Second Generation, Innovator & President
Our Objective
Our Vision
Always aim for 100% overall customer satisfaction.
Associates: Keep the ideal place to work, where our multicultural staff give their best, every day Customers: Offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds expectations Partners: Consolidate our network of honest and successful partners Utilities: Maximize the return of investment to shareholders
Our Mission
Planet: Inspire responsible resource management by means of our work
Serve customers through our international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC; ensuring 100% customer satisfaction of incentives, conventions, and special events; providing memorable experiences in each of the destinations in which we operate; maximizing return of investment to shareholders.
Follow us on...
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NEW DIRECT FLIGHT MEXICO CITY - COZUMEL Starting July 1 of this year, Interjet, a low-cost airline, will launch a new, non stop flight between Mexico City and the island of Cozumel having a frequency of four flights a week: Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday. The airline is even contemplating the possibility of having two flights on Saturdays. For the flight to Cozumel, Interjet will use an Airbus 320 with capacity for 150 passengers. With this new flight, Cozumel islanders won’t have to travel to nearby cities to catch a direct flight at lower fares.
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CUSTOMS TO PHASE OUT DECLARATION FORM AND TRAFFIC LIGHT LOTTERY New procedures to simplify process for travelers entering Mexico On a pilot program, Terminal 1 of Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and Cancun International Airport will eliminate the use of traffic lights and customs declaration for passengers arriving from overseas. The use of traffic lights and declaration of goods is replaced by the scanning of baggage through X-rays, in addition to performing risk analysis by personnel of the tax office. Both processes are unobtrusive for the passenger, said the Customs Administrator, Gerardo Suรกrez. This pilot study has already been implemented for a few weeks in Terminal 2 of AICM and it has proved that it makes for a faster, trouble-free arrival documentation. The traditional model averaged about 25 minutes, but now it only takes about three minutes. It is expected that the pilot program becomes a permanent procedure by the end of 2017.
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PUERTO VALLARTA AND RIVIERA NAYARIT
During this 2017, the airline offer op The launching of Calafia Airlines has added to the formula as well. Janu Vallarta from Milwaukee by the N Vallarta offers connectivity to mor mostly with cities in the United State
With 74 years of presence in Mexic Mexico as its first overseas destin have mentioned how excited they a Cancun and Puerto Vallarta to strengthens its presence in Mexico both countries.
With an increase in the number destination, Puerto Vallarta´s airpo increasing the number of immigratio The process may cause some improvement of its services will be b
We are certain that this information flight and connection options to Pue sured that our connectivity infrastru for your business program. Feel free tips and suggestions!
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perating Puerto Vallarta has increased. s been announced and Aeromar will be uary 2017 welcomed a flight to Puerto Norwegian. With this addition, Puerto re than 25 international destinations, es and Canada.
co, American Airlines continues to have nation. American Airlines’ spokesmen are to be able to offer new routes from Los Angeles, for instance, which and offers more flight options between
of travelers foreseen for our double ort is currently under remodeling and on booths thus optimizing the premises. inconveniences these days, but the both worth it and notorious.
will make it easier for you to know the erto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit. Rest asucture will contribute to an easy access e to contact us at IVI DMC² and ask for
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DOMINIC REPUBL
IMMIGRATION PRECLEARANCE IS COMING TO PUNTA CANA IN NOVEMBER The Airport of Punta Cana is definitely ranking high in the Caribbean. It is cataloged as one of the most important airports worldwide for having prestigious awards such as the "Airport Service Quality” (ASQ) and new “low-cost airlines”. And now, starting November of this year, this airport will have U.S. immigration modules, which only exist in 16 countries in the world. This new feature has made Punta Cana Airport a very important asset in the whole Caribbean.
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CAN LIC
The Dominican Republic Civil Aviation Board (Known in Spanish as JAC) announced that this immigration preclearance will allow Dominican passengers traveling to the United States through Punta Cana airport to have an easier entry in the United States, thus enabling them to have an expedited paperwork after their flight lands in the U.S. Punta Cana's airport welcomed 67% of the 5.9 million visitors to the country in 2016, according to figures obtained from the Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic, and it is expected that with these new features the number of visitors will increase by the end of 2017 and it will increase a lot during year 2018.
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COSTA RICA Everybody wants to fly to the happiest country in the world and thankfully, many airlines have noticed this trend thus adding our perfect piece of land into their routes. Costa Rica has prepared accordingly and we are ready to receive you in our two major, recently renewed airports. Juan Santamaria Airport, just 14 miles from San Jose downtown, is the second busiest airport in Central America with over 15 international airlines that serve over 4 million passengers annually. Daniel Oduber International Airport has smaller capacity, but is located in Liberia, the capital of one of the most popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica, and the location that most incentives programs prefer. Thus, Costa Rican government has started additional works, and plans to invest $10.3 million to expand this terminal and increase its current capacity by about 20 percent. The expansion, due to be ready in November 2017, will also allow the terminal to receive new flights from at least five more airlines in the short term. For a complete list of international airlines and flights traveling to Costa Rica you can check this webpage: http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/airLines.asp
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You can also click the domestic flights tab to check out the frequency of flights and destinations for our domestic airlines, Sansa and Nature Air. Both airlines have their main hubs in San Jose at the Juan Santamaria International Airport, and Nature Air also flies out of the smaller, more central Tobias Bolanos International Airport. What could be better than traveling to a green and natural destination which also offers state of the art facilities and endless options for travelers all around the world? See you soon in Costa Rica!
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PANAMA
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Panama is consolidating its position as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. The number and frequency of flights from North America, Europe and other places to Panama has increased at an amazing rate. This in turn has reinforced commercial development and investment here. There is now more than 85 international direct connections from or to Panama. This makes us the country in Latin America with the most connections in air commercial traffic.
CONNECTION DUBAI-PANAMA
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WINGO
LUFTHANSA
AIR PANAMA NEW TERMINAL AT TOCUMEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Panamå the Hub of the Americas: This impressive Hub of the Americas, as it is known, it’s located at Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen and it harbors a large number of airlines and liaisons and it is the eighth in size in the world; currently 89 destinations in 35 different countries are connected directly by 24 international airlines. More airlines keep coming: This renewed interest in Panama as a great tourist destination and an active financial center has brought an accelerated growth in the number of airlines which augurs an increased economic growth in tourism and aviation for Panama. Wingo is the new airline , a branch of Copa Holdings, which began operations last December. Wingo is a low-cost airline servicing destinations in Costa Rica and Colombia to and from Panama.
Turkish Airlines has recently inaugurated its new route Istanbul-Panama-Istanbul with a direct flight. It takes 13 and a half hours. It is the fourteenth destination in the American continent for Turkish Airlines. It augurs very well for both countries culturally and economically. Lufthansa likewise will be operating throughout all year between Panama and Berlin with direct connections that make Panama the port of entry of Lufthansa to Central America.
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ARGENTINA’S VAST CONNECTIVITY The Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) has excellent connectivity worldwide. It is considered one of the most modern and important airports throughout Latin America, currently serving annually more than 10million visitors, being Miami and New York in the top 10 of the flights that most are received.
Main Destinations:
Atlanta Dallas Houston Miami New York Mexico City Cancun Madrid Barcelona Roma
Main Airlines:
Delta Airlines American Airlines United Airlines Aerolineas Argentinas Aeromexico Iberia
Ezeiza International Airport is located 35 km (22 miles) from downtown. It has 3 terminals: A, B and C for arrivals and departures, both domestic and international. Argentina Reciprocity Fee for citizens of Canada and Australia: Reciprocity payment must be made online prior arrival of the client; passengers must show printed copy of the receipt as proof of payment, along with passport at the migration counter. Access www.migraciones.gov.ar and go to the Tasa de Reprocidad tab in order to pay. The current rates (subject to change) are: - Canada $92.00 USD valid for multiple entries and duration of up to one month before the passport expiration date. • Australia $100.00 USD valid for one entry and with a duration of one year. It is important to mention that Reciprocity Fee for American citizens is not applicable since November 2016.
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BARCELONA Barcelona is a city facing the sea, with almost 5 kilometers of beaches. Located on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian peninsula it is naturally protected by the Collserola mountain range, and delimited by two river deltas, Besos to the northeast and Llobregat to the southeast; it is surrounded by a privileged nature. Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of the Spanish State and it’s the second municipality of Spain in population after Madrid, the Spanish capital. Catalonia has its own language, Catalan, which evolved from Latin, such as Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. Catalan is official along with Spanish, and it is commonly spoken. Every April 23, on the day of Sant Jordi, the streets are filled with stalls where books and roses are sold and people buy them and give them to their loved ones and friends. Barcelona is a great metropolis where you can hear all the languages imaginable and, at the same time, it is also a city that invites you to know the Catalan culture and traditions.
Some points of interest:
La Rambla Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Family Guell Park Gothic Quarter La Boquería Catalan Music Palace Picasso Museum Casa Milà and Casa Batlló Camp Nou 16
Did you know? ✓ The shield of the Barça’s soccer team is in a window of Santa Maria of the Sea church.
during the Civil War in 1936, all the stained-glass windows of the cathedral were destroyed, and one of the sponsors who were in charge to restore them was the Barça ✓ The Statue of Liberty is also in Barcelona. One of the three original Statues of Liberty resides in the city, in the Arús Library. ✓ One of every four trains of line 9 of the Barcelona subway, operates without driver thanks to a centralized automatic control system. ✓ In the Holy Family there is a magic picture whose numbers sum 33. All combinations vertical, horizontal and diagonal - add up to 33, the age Jesus Christ had at death. ✓ There is a Soviet bunker in perfect shape. It was part of the former Soviet consulate of the city. It became an anti-aircraft refuge during the Spanish Civil War before the bombings that the Catalan capital suffered in 1937. 17
AIR CARAIBES STARTED FLYING TO SANTIAGO
French airline Air Caraibes started operating in this Cuban eastern city as part of the route Paris-Santiago de Cuba-Havana, with a weekly frequency. Last December this French airline began its flights to Havana, the capital of Cuba. From now on, the Paris -Havana connections will be made on Fridays while the one with a stopover in Santiago de Cuba will be on Tuesdays. This new opportunity is a positive contribution
to the development of this destination, which has historical, cultural, patrimonial and natural attractions, along with its dreamy beaches.
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AMADEUS BACKS UP REGULAR FLIGHTS About three years ago Amadeus stablished business relations with major airlines that expressed interest in the growing Cuban tourism market. American Airlines was the first one that contacted Amadeus. Ever since then, American Airlines has increased its air connectivity to this important island country thus benefiting the DMC niche.
The Customer’s Always Right THANK YOU | IVI DMC² Cancun Maria was always helpful; and your team is great. Fausto was organized, friendly, and wonderful to wok with! Ms. Amy Stahl Senior Event Manager Aimia, Inc.
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AIMIA’S 2017 PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS 18 PARTNERS RECOGNIZED FOR INGENUITY, SERVICE, AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Dear Jose-Manuel GARCIA, As a global leader in end-to-end design and delivery of meetings, conferences, incentives and events for some of the world’s most visible brands, Aimia collaborates with dependable partners for event execution for our clients. Each year for the past 26 years, Aimia has recognized exceptional event partners who stand out among their industry peers. Today, we are recognizing and honoring the top 18 partner organizations out of our 2650+ partners in 2016 who have proven a true Passion for Excellence. We are thrilled to share the great news that your company is one of a select few to receive this award for your outstanding service in supporting our valued clients’ programs. To be considered for this award, event partners need to exceed expectations in working with all Aimia teams on the following criteria: purchasing, planning, program delivery and creativity – all elements required for successful program executions. This recognition is being given to IVI DMC2 because you have exceeded our expectations in each of these areas and have been an exceptional partner in 2016! Please keep a look out for your award which is being shipped to your office. Congratulations and thank you for your valued partnership. Both Aimia and our clients sincerely appreciate your dedication and commitment to excellence!
The Customer’s Always Right
KURT L. PABEN PRESIDENT, AMERICAS GLOBAL LOYALTY SOLUTIONS & CHANNEL AND EMPLOYEE LOYALTY
BONITA B. BOISNER VICE PRESIDENT, EVENT MANAGEMENT CHANNEL AND EMPLOYEE LOYALTY
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IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.travel Serving the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry since 1986. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout: • • • • • •
Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Costa Rica Panama South America
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this travel digest, please contact: Francisco BAEZA fbaeza@ividmc.travel
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How to Prepare Blue Skies
Preparation: Ingredients: •
1 ounce Cointreau
•
1 ounce blue curacao
•
Fizzy lemonade (or lemonade with club soda)
This is a gorgeous drink that looks exactly like blue skies. The flavor is simply lemon and orange. It’s great to cool off with on a hot day – perfect for the poolside. Pour the Cointreau into a cocktail glass, followed by the blue curacao. Fill it up the rest of the way with lemonade, and garnish it with a slice of orange. Ask for it when you visit our destinations!
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TravelTip: Get Exercise Rubber Bands I travel with large rubber bands. I use them to stretch, workout, and play games. I try to see how long I can hold the rubber band stretched to the fullest extent. I put one on my foot and do bicep curls. I put a rubber band around my tray table and pull it back to my chest. It’s fun and keeps your circulation moving. My fellow passengers even enjoy the antics and ask to try the rubber bands themselves. Now you’ve found something to break the ice. Remember to think about a breaking rubber band and its potential damage. Don’t stretch it so far as to test its strength. Test your own strength instead! The only aerobic exercise anyone gets on a plane is disengaging oneself from the jaws of the folding door of the restroom that threatens to digest you. - Erma Bombeck (Taken from page 175) James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500 companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag. Reprinted by permission from the Author: jfeldman@itcheque.com
THANK YOU FOR READING Like life in general, the M&E Industry seems to move at the speed of light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest Incentive Travel
Digest is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, & interesting. I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be. Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
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