ASTA Destination Expo 2014 Merida, Mexico

ASTA Destination Expo 2014

March 27-30 Merida, Yucatan, Mexico Tourism Board

YUCATĂ N

Discovering the world, one destination at a time. Join us in Merida.

ASTA .org/ADE

TO TRULY APPRECIATE

AND KNOW A DESTINATION, YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT.

Merida Merida Yucatan

Mexico Mexico City City

Campeche Campeche

Villahermosa

Cancun

Isla de Cozumel Quintana Roo

Chetumal

JOIN US NEXT MARCH IN MERIDA,

THE ‘WHITE CITY’, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE STUNNING YUCATAN PENINSULA. Take a new adventure and discover the deep culture that immediately surrounds you in Merida, Yucatan. Immerse yourself in the local flavors and sounds as ASTA’s Destination Expo gives you real life experiences you can share with your clients.

Choose from a variety of complimentary and pre- and posttours to assist you in building your clients itinerary. You will take part in top-ranked training seminars that take you

beyond the classroom. The information you will gain from these education seminars and tours will be invaluable when selling this captivating city. With sessions focusing on the geography, gastronomy, culture and history of Merida, you will return home with an abundance of information to pass along.

ASTA’s Destination Expo 2014 will be a unique learning experience where you will learn the skills to market your business and increase sales.

GASTRONOMY

The culinary delights of a typical Yucatan kitchen are made of an exquisite blend of ingredients used by the ancient Mayans, with flavors brought by the Spanish during the Colonial times and later, with some influence from the Caribbean and Middle East. For a time, the Yucatan Peninsula was considered inaccessible land, as the mountainous terrain and few roads that existed isolated it from the rest of Mexico; however, the nearby ports facilitated cultural and commercial dealings with Europe, especially France, as well as New Orleans and Cuba.

The Yucatan people were naturally influenced by many aspects of these countries and cities, thus forming the basis of one of the most renowned cuisines of Mexico and the world. And no wonder, since the Yucatan food is internationally world famous due to the unique combination of condiments and spices such as pumpkin seed, oregano, onion, sour orange, sweet chili, tomato, achiote, chile Xcatic, chile Max, chile Habanero and cilantro, which combined, give a very special flavor to this region’s food.

Merida’s burgeoning gastronomy scene truly has something for everyone. Adventurous eaters, spice food addicts, vegetarians and everyone in between will return home raving about what is cooking in Merida.

SIGHTSEEING

You will have the opportunity to select from one of these complimentary sightseeing excursions.

CHICHEN ITZA Chichen Itza, voted one of the new seven wonders, is a must see when traveling to the Yucatan. The Mayans took control of this area, which had originally been built by the Toltec’s, in the late 10th Century. After reaching its peak between the 11th and 12th centuries, the space was abandoned.

OPENING NIGHT EVENT

La Quinta Montes Molina is a mansion in the heart of Merida that is open as a museum during the day and will be your first taste of the warm Yucatan culture in the evening. This is the perfect opportunity to see the inside of an elegant, authentic, fully and beautifully furnished Paseo Montejo mansion, with the original chandeliers, mirrors, antique furnishings, rugs, paintings, statues and sculptures, Limoge china and Chiristofle silverware.

The dominant ruin in Chichen Itza is the towering Castle, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan. The Castle has 365 stairs, one for every day of the year, which archeologists attribute to the Maya´s knowledge of the skies. The Castle is built over a series of previous constructions. An interior staircase leads to the Throne of the Red Jaguar, a chamber containing a Chac-Mool and a stunning, pop-eyed jaguar. The Temple of the Jaguar gives access to the sprawling Ball Game field where priests played religious ball games.

Chichen Itza

JOIN US IN MERIDA. ASTA.ORG/ADE

CELESTUN Situated approximately one hour outside of Merida is the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve. A boat ride around the reserve will offer you the opportunity to observe and photograph the vast flocks of flamingos and hundreds of other birds that live in the area.

You will have the chance to swim in the clear, cool fresh water springs that bubble to the surface and drain into the estuary; a stop to view the “petrified forest”; and a ride through the marshes that penetrate the dense mangrove forests that flank the estuary. You will be amazed by the hundreds of bird species that you will encounter in one place!

Celestun

HACIENDA TOURS AT SOTUTA DE PEON Sotuta de Peon is the only henequen/sisal fiber hacienda in the area that continues to work as it did 100 years ago. A visit to Hacienda Sotuta de Peón, located 45 minutes from Merida, is an opportunity to travel into the past. During the 2.5 hour tour, the guests will learn about the origins of henequen and details of the henequen boom here in Yucatan. The process, which begins with the planting, continues on to the peeling, then drying and finally the packing, is interestingly explained and the transformation from threads to ropes to textiles is shown.

This is a walking tour and you will have the chance to see the centuries old machinery actually working. Don’t be shy about volunteering to help the workers – you may be surprised by the strength required! After seeing and participating in this interesting part of the process, the visitors will climb aboard mule drawn platforms, called trucks, and take a ride into the henequen fields.

Along the way, they will stop off at a Mayan home where a Mayan gentleman will show you his home and the henequen plants. The sisal fiber played a fascinating role in the development of the Yucatan—this is your opportunity to participate in that history!

Hacienda Tours at Sotuta de Peon

IZAMAL Mexico has 35 towns that are considered magical and one of them is located just 45 minutes from Merida. Izamal is Yucatan’s magical town. What makes a town magical?

According to the requirements to be considered magical by the Mexican government, the town or city must be small with rich historical tradition. The first thing that you will notice is that the town is painted yellow… all the colonial buildings, the market, the huge convent, everything! The next thing that stands out are the cobblestone streets and the iron lampposts that give the town a tranquil ambiance. The sound of the clippity-clop of the horses pulling calesas or carriages will surely make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

As you explore the city you will see a town that is alive with three cultures – the ancient Mayan, the colonial and the present day bustling Izamal. You will enjoy your time discovering the Mayan pyramids, colonial-style buildings, parks and plazas, horses and buggies and local eateries. See for yourself what makes a town magical!

Izamal

PRE AND POST TOURS

While you are in Merida, why not take the time to explore some other regions of Mexico?

Information on these opportunities will be announced soon and will be made available by visiting www.ASTA.org/ADE.

EXLPORE THE UNEXPECTED IN MERIDA

EDUCATION SEMINARS

DISCOVERING

Learn how to increase sales to Merida through a series of education workshops covering topics such as:

THE WORLD, ONE

ӹӹ What makes the signs and sounds of Merida the perfect vacation spot for the welltraveled client.

DESTINATION AT A TIME.

ӹӹ Explore why Merida is not your typical Yucatan experience. ӹӹ Discover the history and how the Mayans played such an integral part in the

ASTA .org/ADE PROGRAM Thursday, March 27

Half-day Sightseeing All Delegate General Session Official Welcome Filled with Fun and Local Flavors at the La Quinta Montes Molina Friday, March 28

Destination Seminars Regional Showcase Hosted Evening Saturday, March 29

Destination Seminars Regional Showcase

Yucatan architecture and culture.

REGISTER at www.ASTA.org/ADE

$409 } ASTA/NACTA Member Travel Agents $509 } Non-Member Travel Agents $609 } Guests

What’s included in your registration? ӹӹ Focused, destination education sessions you can’t find anywhere else ӹӹ Personal connections with local suppliers on the exhibition floor and throughout the event ӹӹ Admission to lavish evening networking events ӹӹ Complimentary sightseeing and specially priced pre- and post-tour options There will be various opportunities for suppliers to network with the travel agency community.

AIR Merida is accessible via the Merida International Airport “Manuel Crescencio Rejon”

and Cancun International Airport. Please note the transfer from Cancun to Merida is three hours and the Yucatan Tourism Board will provide complimentary transfers.

ADE 2015 Host Gala Dinner Sunday, March 30

HOTELS Delegates can experience for themselves the hotels synonymous with Merida.

Half/Full-day Sightseeing Visit www.ASTA.org/ADE for an updated schedule of events and session descriptions.

Fiesta Americana Deluxe Rooms

Hyatt Regency Deluxe Rooms

Presidente InterContinental Deluxe Rooms

DISCOVER THE UNEXPEC TED...

ASTA .org/ADE

ASTA Destination Expo 2014

March 27-30 Merida, Yucatan, Mexico Tourism Board

YUCATĂ N

Discovering the world, one destination at a time. Join us in Merida.

ASTA .org/ADE