CommuniQuest Magazine August 2014

August 2014

Breaking News in

Destination: Chile

Latin American Travel

Cancun Beaches Go Blue

Good News for Dolphins

The Donald Trumps Panama

Great Event Centers in Colombia

Cancun Tastes Great

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Jose-Manuel GARCIA Visionary, Founder and Managing Commander-in-Chief  jmgarcia@ividmc.travel President  Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA manolo@ividmc.com Marketing Vice President  Alicia ASTUDILLO, DMCP aastudillo@ividmc.com General Comptroller  Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.com Corporate Business Director  Francisco BAEZA fbaeza@ividmc.com

Contents:

Page

Blue Flag Beaches in Cancun

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A Message From the Founder

3

Destination: Chile

4

New Renaissance Hotel in Santiago

5

New Dolphin Discovery Location

6

Interview with Vivaldi Musica

7

Event Centers in Colombia

8

Trump Ocean Club - Panama

9

Doctor’s Travels—Cure For the 9 Common Trip

Corporate Quality Director  Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.com Electronic Publishing  Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.com Content and Editing  Eric PEREZ ivicorp@ividmc.com Managing Director—MyDay Travel  Jorge OROZCO jorozco@myday.travel Corporate headquarters:  Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77500 Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700

ViajesCorp 2014 Event— Colombia

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Panama Fam Trip

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Culinary Festivals in Cancun

11

Awards for Cancun Airport

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Quick Hits

12

Business Sense—Bilingual Publishing

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Destination Offices: Mexico

The Caribbean & Central America

South America

IVI DMC² - Puerto Vallarta, Nayarit Riviera & Central Mexico Jaime Nelo Regional Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Dominican Republic Genaro Almonte Regional Managing Director galmonte@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Colombia Carolina Calderon Regional Managing Director ccalderon@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Costa Rica Sonia Vargas Destination Manager svargas@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Brazil Andrea Majela Regional Managing Director amajela@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Panama Ligia Vargas Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Argentina & Chile Leila Gorosito Regional Managing Director lgorosito@ividmc.com

IVI DMC² - Los Cabos Mario Foster Destination Manager mfoster@ividmc.travel

© Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Join the Conversation...

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About us...

Cancun Receives Blue Flag Certification at Three Beaches We always suspected they were world-class, but now we have the certification to prove it.

On July 1, 2014, three of Cancun’s premier beaches were awarded with official “Blue Flag” certification.

The three beaches that received this distinction are Chac Mool, Delfines and Las Perlas, each in the famous Hotel Zone of Cancun. The triple award makes Cancun the only destination in Mexico to have 3 Blue Flag beaches.

Blue Flag is a non-profit organization that awards recognition to the best beaches in the world, based on compliance with 32 criteria covering the following: 1) Environmental Education and Information 2) Water Quality 3) Environmental Management 4) Safety and Services

Times they are changin’.

a

Bob Dylan likely never imagined the extent to which his words would come true when he wrote them in the 1960’s. And there are few industries in which this concept is truer than in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions industry. Increased competition from new pla-

Mission Statement: To earn and maintain our clients’ trust at each one of our destinations by convincing them that their goals are our goals, and by delivering services that exceed industry standards and customer expectations. We also will meet client needs by providing exceptional product knowledge, creative solutions, cost-value and effectiveness in every measurable way. We pride ourselves on our efficient business organization that relies on strong management systems, ISO quality standards, and belief in the remarkable abilities of our people. Our mission also features an infinite commitment "To make YOU look GREAT! Our People: IVI DMC2 has more than 150 yearround Full-time Associates within the entire Latin American Network with great personalities, knowledge, a caring attitude and M&I Business experience!

Roberto Borge, Governor of the state of Quintana Roo was on hand to lead the festivities, as was the head of Environmental Protection Guillermo Haro Belchez. It is hoped that another 11 beaches in Cancun will receive the Blue Flag certification in 2014.

A Message from the Founder

Our Vision: To run a world-class company that will set fresh trends and establish new standards for best practices in the M&I industry by exceeding customer expectations.

“Yes, since 1986, we are those neatly attired people in the turquoise blue and white uniforms. Many people call us "the Smurfs". We are knowledgeable, witty, fun to have around, and beautiful or handsome (not necessarily in that order).”

yers in the market, rapidly shifting economic conditions, new technologies and higher client expectations make our industry more challenging than ever. In this climate, success demands change. To quote another American innovator, Henry Ford, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.”

The way we anticipate change and react to it often defines our success.

It is our hope that by sharing ideas and success stories, we can build a 3

positive environment and help our valued customers, suppliers and partners to reach their respective business goals.

CommuniQuest Magazine was born from the idea that difficulties can be overcome through communication. Please enjoy this issue, and feel free to share your ideas with us. We are always just a call or a click away.

JoseManuel

August 2014

Destination: Chile

Chile truly embodies a “something for everyone” destination. Remarkably diverse in its scenery, climate and activities, Chile has been charming visitors for nearly two centuries.

From the snow-capped mountains and world class skiing in the south, to the world’s driest desert in the north, and the thriving metropolis of Santiago in between, Chile offers so much to discover that one visit isn’t nearly enough.

Business travelers are turning their attention to Chile, whose stable economy and highly skilled workforce are the envy of Latin America. With modern highways, 5 star hotels and

event centers, rich selection of gourmet restaurants and nightlife, and a wide variety of tourist attractions, Chile makes the perfect place to do busines or to enjoy a corporative incentive trip.

Ranked as a high-income economy by the world bank, Chile is considered to be one of South American’s most prosperous and stable nations. Contributing to this is its high income per capita, and its low perception of corruption.

Strong trade ties with the US and a history of solid economic policies also bouy the economy, which has avoided the economic upheaval experienced by some of its neighboring countries.

capped volcano or ski-hill, the destinations of Antofagasta, Puerto Varas and Arica are gaining popularity.

Business trips to Chile are never a chore. With a wide variety of interesting and engaging activities, Chile offers even the most finicky traveler a host of entertainment options. The Andes mountains offer ski enthusiasts the opportunity to ski during the North American summer season, sometimes on an active volcano with steam hovering above. For the beachlover in your group, the central region offers famous beaches in a pleasant Mediterranean climate.

Chile’s central region has also become one of the world’s great wine destinations. Chile has the right conditions for growing an ample variety of wine grapes,

Santiago has long been a business destination of choice, but for travelers seeking to hold their meetings against the backdrop of a lake, snowWho We Are...

CommuniQuest Magazine is published by:

IVI DMC² is a leading Destination Management Company operating throughout Latin America.

We are experts in the design and execution of events for groups and incentives. From the casual to the elegant, and from the fun to the artistic, we customize your program to suit your needs.

Alicia Astudillo, Marketing Julia Ortiz, Design Ajejandro Pech, Electronic Publishing Eric Perez, Content and Editing

Since 1986, we have been Making You Look Great!

© Copyright 2014.

We can do the impossible right away!

Miracles may take a little bit longer.

All Rights Reserved.

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August 2014 and is most famous for its very own Carmanere, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. n 2009 its Cabernet was named the best in the world by World Wine Awards.

Of course, if you spend all your time skiing and touring wineries, you’ll miss out on the hot-springs, the glaciers, the fjords, the rafting, the fishing, the shopping, and of course, Easter Island. So you will have to budget your time very well if you want to do it all.

Speaking of Easter Island, no bucket list is complete without a visit to the site of the famed statues, located in a remote area of the Pacific about 2100 miles off the Chilean coast.

A special territory of Chile, it is one of the most remote islands in the world. It’s nearest neighbor has only 50 inhabitants and is over 1200 miles away. But once you arrive, you will quickly understand why why its original

settlers chose the island, and why so many make the lengthy journey to visit it each year.

Of course, there are countless reasons to visit Chile, and a page in a magazine can only describe so many of them. Suffice it to say, you will never run out of things to do and interesting areas to explore in this, the longest counry in the world.

And with its solid reputation as a safe country with a thriving economy, Chile is not only a land of diversion, it’s good for business too. Add to all this its naturally warm inhabitants, and we are sure that your next visit to Chile will be both memorable and magical.

Population: 5.5 million Climate: Almost perfect. Warm days and cool night almost all year.

Offical Language: Spanish.

English is common in tourist areas.

Distance to nearest ski hill: 21 miles Distance to nearest beach: 59 miles Local Currency: Chilean Peso Attractions: Santiago Zoo National Museum of Fine Arts San Cristobal Hill Plaza de Armas National Stadium Wine Tours Number of restaurants: 1349 (source: Trip Advisor)

zil and Caracas, Venezuela in its South American portfolio, will be a hit with travellers and an economic success.

Renaissance Banks on Santiago, Chile

“With its prime location in the prestigious Vitacura district, we know that it will be a very successful hotel."

In April of this year, Renaissance Hotels opened its latest hotel in South America, the 181 room Renaissance Santiago, Chile. Citing Santiago as one of the most vibrant cities in the region, the hotel chain is confident that this property, which joins Sao Paolo, Bra-

Santiago Quick Facts:

- Mariano Julio Salvador, President of Altamira Group Real Estate

The hotel features a sophisticated design, modern modern amenities, and 12,000 square feet of conference space, all in a strategic location in Vitacura, one of Santiago’s highest income areas.

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Dining options abound both inside the hotel, and in its environs.

Besides the hotel’s signature restaurant Catae, guests can choose from 3 other bars and cafes, one of them on the 16th floor terrace, as well as a host of culinary choices in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Designed with the business traveller in mind, the hotel’s attention to individual comfort is evident with its luxury bedding and hightech amenities like wireless internet access in all public areas, translation services, swimmingpool and whirlpool, and an extensive fitness center.

Dolphin Discovery

Dolphin Discovery, the worldwide leader in interactive programs with dolphins, manatees, rays and sea lions, has expanded its operations in Mexico with its 14th Dolphinarium in the Mayan Riviera.

On June 20, 2014, Dolphin Discovery opened the doors on its newest dolphin habitat, located within the Grand Sirenis Resort & Spa in the community of Akumal,

Did You Know?

If you want to work with the best, you have to bring your “A-game”!

All suppliers that work with IVI DMC², whether it’s a tour operator, caterer, musician or even a Dolphinarium are prescreened to meet the industry’s highest standards for quality, saftey, and value. As the only DMC that adheres to the quality standards of ISO

Quintana Roo. To mark the historic day, Governor of Quintana Roo Roberto Borge was on hand for the inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony, and was accompanied by business partners and various state and municipal authorities.

The facilities are equipped with the latest technology that exceed the regulatory standards for dolphins in human care. With an unchanging commitment to a high quality of life

Dolphin Discovery’s newest family members:

preservation of the species.

Established with the vision of creating a unique interactive program that allows you to have a closer encounter with the dolphins, Dolphin Discovery now has 19 years of experience in the field. Its latest innovation, available in Akulal and Cozumel, is the "Underwater Experience" program, where visitors can interact with dolphins while diving.

The $4 million dollar project has generated 34 direct jobs and 170 indirect employment opportunites in the community. Of the 14 Dolphin Discovery locations, 11 are in Mexico.

Charly, Athos, Gigio and Porthos for its marine animals, Dolphin Discovery Akumal is now the home to 4 new miracles, Charly, Athos, Gigio and Porthos who were born with the use of the “Miracle” system, which makes use of minimal human involvement during the reproductive process. These processes have established Dolphin Discovery as a leader in the

9001:2008, IVI DMC² is committed to consistent quality throughout its management processes, and it re-certifies them each year using the rigid standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

IVI DMC2's entire network performs under these same standards.

All of this ensures that your entire experience in any of our destinations will meet not only our high standards, they will meet or ex6

ceed yours, and that’s what matters most of all.

Join the Conversation: facebook.com/IVIDMC twitter.com/ividmc

pinterest.com/IVIDMC2 linkedin.com/company/ ivi-destination-management

Interview With Vilvaldi Musica Vivaldi Musica is a group of professional musicians, known for their performances of timeless music at Concerts, Events and Weddings in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula. Communiquest (CQ) had the pleasure of sitting down with them at our office in Cancun this month. The following is an excerpt of our conversation.*

CQ: Who are Vivaldi Musica?

VM: We are a five-member chamber music group. We all have classical training. Basically, we offer three lines: we give music classes, we perform classical music concerts for the residents of Cancun to spread the culture that we have learned, and we perform at events at hotels or private parties.

ding French music, broadway, Mexican and Italian traditional music, tangos, Rondo Veneziano which is classical pop music, and a little pop

August 2014 financial gain. As a group, we compliment one another with our styles and instruments.

And whether it’s a large concert, or a small private event, we love to hear applause from the audience.

CQ: What are some of your favorite performances?

VM: We performed for 1200 people at the Hilton with an 8 piece orchastra. Some of us where on platforms over the pool. But we also like to play at intimate dinners for only a few people. And we also enjoy “Flash Mob” perCQ: And who are your formances, where we members? have concealed wireLeft to right, Vivaldi Music is: Ignacio Mendez, Magali less microphones and VM: We are Ignacio Mendez Chavez, Laura Chuc, Neivi Meza y Gilberto Quijano we just start singing. At (flautist), Gilberto Quijano opera. We also play rock music, first it confuses everyone, but (violinist), Magali Chavez, everything from Bon Jovi to Metalli- then they really enjoy it. (pianist), and Laura Chuc and ca. We have diversified because Neivi Meza (soprano vocalists) sometimes a client doesn’t really CQ: What is your motto?

CQ: What kind of music do you know what they want. If there is no VM: We are always looking to play? theme chosen, we can make a co- give the best performance llage of music.

VM: We have studied classical possible. We want our clients music, and we play classical and semi-classical music, as well as liturgic and sacred music for weddings. But we have also diversified over the years. We play international styles inclu-

CQ: What inspires you to perform?

VM: We play because we love it.

We have been musicians since childhood. We perform pubilc concerts for the love of the art, not for

to receive the best that we can offer. A satisfied client can be a client for life. * Conversation has been translated and edited for space

Vivaldi Music is available for a wide variety of musical performances, including corporate events, cocktail receptions, birthday parties, conventions and meetings, banquets, baptisms, religious and civil weddings, and other concerts.

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Great for Business! - Event Centers in Colombia Recinto Ferial Corferias, Bogota

Corferias Convencion Center, Bogota

Look no further than Corferias exhibition centre for your events in Bogota. Utilizing 22 rooms and halls with a covered area of 672,744 square feet and an outdoor display area measuring 161,000 square feet, it can accommodate your largest events.

Corferias Convention Center is designed with modern technology that distinguishes it as one of the most comprehensive in the capital. Security, quality of service and support staff are attributes that ensure optimal development of conferences, meetings, conventions and shows.

It has you covered with features like a convention center, food court, parking for 2250 vehicles, support offices, ATMs, information centers and warehouse space for exhibitors. Corferias understands the needs of exhibitors, buyers and the general public. It caters to the needs of each of them before, during and after the big event.

Corferias Convention Center is located close to the Eldorado airport at the Corferia fairgrounds. Its column-free area of more than 64,500 square feet offers standing room for up to 13,000 people or is able to seat 6,000, and offers parking for 3000 vehicles.

Plaza Mayor Medellin Convention Center

Convencion Center of Cartagena The Convention Center of Cartagena de Indias has a 30 year history, and today is positioned as one of the major convention centers in all of South America. Its prime location on the Bay of Souls in the historic center of Cartagena de Indias allows you to present a unique and memorable setting for your events.

The new standard for event hosting in the city and the country has been shaped by tradition while integrating all that is new. The Plaza Mayor Convention Center in Medellin has become the epicenter of great events in Medellin, Antioquia and Colombia. The Plaza Mayor Convention Center has 16 meeting rooms with the capacity for 3,000 people, in addition to cutting-edge innovations in communications and audio-visual aids.

The Convention Center features 215,278 square feet of luxurious and versatile event space and was constructed and appointed with the highest international quality standards. Its versatility allows you to host events from 12 people to over 2000 in total comfort.

It also features a media room, VIP lounge, business center, offices for contest operators,registration areas and ample parking. Plaza Mayor houses major events such as Colombiatex and ColombiaModa, the country's most important annual fashion trade show.

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Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower - Panama

The Trump Ocean Club is the splashiest new Hotel on the densely populated Panama Bay, but what would you expect from a developer who completely embodies the word splashy?

Opened in 2011, this 70 storey tower, which mimics a majestic sail billowing in the wind, features a combination of hotel units (369 rooms), condominiums, retail shops, a casino, a yacht club and pier, ample meeting and event space, and a business center. It is located in the heart of Panama City, just 20 minutes from the International Airport.

Rated the third-best hotel in Central

America by Conde Nast, the hotel features opulent rooms with premium furnishings and stunning oceanviews. The 14th floor Sky Deck offers 5 swimming pools and several waterfront dining options against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. For guests seeking to get away from the city, access to a private beach club on Viveros Island is available, with daily ferries providing transportation.

For business travelers, the property boasts a 45,210 square foot convention center, and a busiView from the 14th floor ness center featuring the latest in communications technology.

Coming with a price tag of approximately $430 million US, and currently the tallest

Doctor’s Travels—Cure for the Common Trip drag, carry things with difficulty, and move laboriously.

Schlep is an accurate description of what many people do at airports. And I used to be one of them. My three rules for checking luggage were:

James Feldman is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host and radio personality. His book “Doctor’s Travel’s - Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide to help you get ready for the adventure of travel. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers.

To Check Or Not To Check...That Is The Question Schlep is a wonderfully picturesque Yiddish word that describes the process of carrying things around. But schlep means much more than simply transporting something from one place to another. This descriptive word also implies you lug, haul,

Rule #1: Never check Rule #2: Never check Rule #3: Never check My rule changed, though, after I had to run from Gate #2A to Gate 376Z (well almost) to make a close connection while carrying what seemed like 100 pounds 9

IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 emal: ivicorp@ividmc.com

Serving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Industry since 1986.

Find us in over 40 destinations throughout:

       

Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Mexico Panama

building in Central America at 932 feet, this project is further evidence that The Donald does things on a grand scale. of baggage. A few weeks later, my never-check policy was reexamined after I began to get severe neck and back pains.

Now I check my suitcase containing my clothing and I hand carry my irreplaceable things, such as my laptop, office work, and overnight necessities.

On the other hand, if you are willing to wait at the luggage carousel, then check your bags. Of course, the anxiety of waiting for a bag that doesn’t show up may not be too good for your health either.

- Reprinted by permission from the author

The opening day inaugural panel brought together professionals from five different countries in Latin America to discuss the current situation and future prospects of corporate trips in the key markets of Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico.

2014 ViajesCorp Event - Cartagena, Colombia

Title

Eloisa Pérez, Group Sales Manager of Grand Velas, Mayan Riviera is flanked by Jaime Nelo, Carolina Calderon and Genaro Alimonte from the IVI DMC² offices in Mexico, Colombia and The Dominican Republic.

Held from April 28-29, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel in Cartagena, Colombia, the 2014 ViajesCorp tradeshow was an overwhelming success.

Attended by hundreds of industry professionals, and suppor-

Panama FAM Trip In May of this year, the $100 million Westin Playa Bonita Panama played host to a select group of clients and guests that attended our FAM Trip.

The trip, also supported by the Trump Hotel Panama, and the Authority of Tourism—Panama, helped spread the word about Panama’s increasing influence in the travel world, especially among business travellers, meeting planners and group travel executives.

The all new Westin property was the ideal setting for the FAM trip (short for Familiarization trip). Flanked by rainforest and golden stretches of Pacific shoreline just 20 minutes outside of Panama City, the scenic Westin Playa Bonita is a secluded escape featuring

ted by the Global Business Travel Association of Latin America, the academic conference focussed on business travel, corportate events and equipping travel managers to suceeed.

The 2-day event featured lectures, panels, workshops and roundtable training sessions on such topics as optimization of travel costs, travel management for large enterprises, risk management, and purchasing trends.

611 luxury rooms and suites, six fine dining restaurants, four bars and an ultra chic, open-air VIP Lounge on the 19th floor, which offers views of the Pacific Ocean, lush rainforest and the Panam Canal.

The Westin Playa Bonita also features 65,000 square feet of meeting and event space comprised of 22 multipurpose spaces. The facilities include a well equipped business centre, an executive Club Lounge, a Westin WORKOUT gym, three 10

Companies representing all aspects of the travel business were in attendance, including hotels, DMCs, Travel Boards, Financial Services companies, and airlines. Together, they exchanged ideas, interacted with supplier companies and forged new relationships to help lead their success in the coming year.

A highlight of the conference was the nomination of key travel professionals for the distinguished 2014 Corporate Award. At the time of publishing, online votes were still be tabulated, and we anxiously await the upcoming announcement of the winner.

freshwater infinity edge pools, a private white sand beach, a sensory spa by Clarins, a dedicated children’s pool, and the alwayspopular Westin Kids Club.

Regional Managing Director Ligia Vargas and team members Gary & David, along with excited VIP’s at the Westin Playa Bonita Panama during the IVI DMC² FAM Trip.

Cancun — Gourmet Destination To help solidify its image as a “Gourmet” destination, Cancun will host two important culinary events in the coming year and is preparing the organization of the forth edition of The Food & Wine Festival from March 12 to 15, 2015, it was announced in June. The events will showcase the talents of Mexico´s pioneers in haute cuisine, as well as the most famous chefs from Spain and France.

In a press conference on June 17, David Amar, founder of the culinary festival , announced that for the first time, Star Restaurant Week, will be celebrated from the 20th to the 29th of June, a 10 day event in which 15 restaurants will participate, with special menus and creations by local chefs who have garnered international stature, all at prices that are accessible to tourists and to the community in general.

The second event, named “Summer Tasting 2014”, will take place between July 24 and August 9, with the participation of premier restaurants with Five Diamond recognition by AAA, including Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach (Le Basilic), Ritz Carlton (Fantino, Club Grill) and Grand Velas (Cocina de Autor). Over the course of three weekends, these famous restaurants will offer the best of their cuisine at the hands of their recognized chefs Henry Charvet, Andreas Schatzschneider and Xavier Pérez Stone, respectively.

David Amar highlighted that these events have the objective of maintaining Cancun’s image as one of the world’s leading dining destinations.

Aeropuertos del Sureste, also known as ASUR, is the proud owner of the Cancun airport. The Regional Director for ASUR, Héctor Navarrete Muñoz, was presented with the distinguished Recognition for Quality in Airport Services Award by the General Assembly of the International Council of AsiaPacific Airports .

Some of the events scheduled for the festival include:  Celebrity Cocktail  French Cuisine Day  Beach Party featuring the DJ

from Paris’ famous Budha Bar

Meanwhile, Cancun continues with preparations to celebrate the Wine & Food Festival 2015, which will include more than 24 events and will feature the presence of important personalities from Mexico’s culinary scene. Among those invi-

 Cooking classes  Wine, Champagne and Spirits

This year’s theme was "Airports: Serving the customer and the community". Fittingly, Council President Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid said that the Cancun Airport received the nod for the award because of having obtained the highest score in the ASQ (Airport Service Quality) survey.

ment for Cancun International Airport (IATA Code CUN). Year -over-year statistics for the airport revealed a 14% increase in the number of passengers from May 2013 to May 2014.

CUN Rocks! - Cancun International Airport Receives Quality Award Last year, about 16 million passengers were greeted at the Cancun International Airport. But it’s not the number that the airport was recognized for—it’s the quality.

ted are Martha Chapa, Martha Ortiz, Carmen Ramírez “Titita” y María Teresa Ramírez. Foreign chefs will include Spain’s Joan Roca, Eneko Atxa, Mikel Alonso and Bruno Oteiza as well as French chefs Henri Charvet, Hubert Keller, Bruno Davaillon, and Gregory Gourreau.

During the event, ASUR also presented a paper entitled "Aviation in Latin America", outlining the opportunities and challenges facing the airline industry.

The award comes on the heels of another encouraging announce11

tastings and conferences With great new culinary events like these scheduled for the near future, Cancun not only looks great, it tastes great too!

CUN is the second largest airport in Mexico, and is number one in international travellers.

Terminals 1 and 2 have recently been expanded, and expansion work on Terminal 3 is currently underway. A forth terminal is expected to be completed in 2016, and will be capable of processing 800,000 passengers per year, and will also offer many dining options, duty-free shops and an on-site hotel by the Aloft chain.

Quick Hits Mexico

Latin America More Rooms Coming Down The Pipe STR, a hotel research firm has released its latest updates on the number of hotel rooms under construction, known as the “Hotel Pipeline”. The total active pipeline includes projects in the In Construction, Final Planning and Planning stages but does not include projects in the Pre-Planning stage. For the Caribbean/Mexico region, there are152 hotels totaling 25,850 rooms in the pipeline.

This represents a 26.4-percent increase in rooms compared with February 2013, Mexico leads the way with 5,395 rooms under construction. Other countries reporting significant room growth include:  Panama (+22.0 percent to 3,631 rooms)  Brazil (+21.7 percent with 44,861 rooms)  Colombia (+17.9 percent with 4,358 rooms).

These figures demonstrate the sustained growth in demand in Latin America for accommodations, many of them in the luxury category.

Blue Diamond Resorts announced in June that their newest property, the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, will open this winter in Mexico. The 1,100 room resort, located 15 minutes from the Cancun International Airport, will feature hydrotherapy, a beauty and fitness centre, reservation-free luxury dining at its ten restaurants, a Splash Park, Kids Club, a convention center and “All-In Connectivity” throughout the resort.

New W Bogota Hotel Slated to open in September 2014, the W Bogota Hotel is a 168 room property, including 33 suites and an Extreme Wow Suite, in the upscale Santa Barbara Business Center. With its convenient location, modern amenities and 818 square meters of meeting and function space, the hotel will be an ideal place for both business and leisure travel.

Panama Colombia As the number of travelers to Colombia continues to rise, with 3,747,945 foreign visitors in 2013 according to Colombia's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MICT), the country's hotel industry is experiencing significant growth. The presence of major hotel chains is increasing and the investment of up to $75 million US in new properties is expected, Proexport Colombia has announced. Current chains with existing or planned developments in the country include Radisson Hotels, Sonesta Collection, Melia Hotels International, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Ibis, Hyatt Hotels, TRYP Hotels, and W Hotels.

Riu Hotels and Resorts opened their second hotel in Panama in April. The Riu Playa Blanca, located on the Pacific coast of Panama in the province of Coclé, boasts 573 rooms with contemporary design, four restaurants, five bars and a pool and garden area covering more thatn 300,000 square feet. Just 5 kilometres from the new Río Hato "Scarlett Martínez" airport, and 90 minutes from Panama City, this $100 million property brings relaxation to a a vibrant destination.

Hotel Development in the Interior Investment outside of Panama City is being encouraged through tax incentives, including an exemption on goods

Read CommuniQuest Magazine every month!

12

August 2014

and services such as building materials, furniture, hotel equipment, as well as construction equipment. Permits for the tax exemption are available until 2020, with the exemption lasting 20 years. The progress of hotel development into the interior seeks to desaturate the tourism industry in Panama City. Of the hotels built in the past six years, 90% of them have been in Panama City, including 25 in 2013. In 2013 Panama City had 17,000 hotel rooms—up from 10,000 in 2010. Permits have already been granted to developments in Chiriqui, Los Santos, Herrera, Bocas del Torro, and Cocle, each outside of the capital city.

Argentina

International arrivals to Argentina reached nearly 5.5 million in 2013, according to the Argentina Tourism Board, which positions the country as the second mostvisited South American destination in terms of inbound tourism, surpassed only by Brazil. Spend by overseas visitors in 2013 generated revenues close to $4.3 billion in the country. 40% of the visitors to Argentina hail from Chile and Brazil. The USA and Europe are the leading sources of visitors from outside of South America.

Mendoza, the Wine Country

Wine tourism in Mendoza is exploding, and more and more wineries now have Englishlanguage tours. Accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s wine production, Mendoza Province is a haven for wine lovers.

And unlike their counterparts in Napa, Bordeaux, and Tuscany, most Argentine vineyards share recipes and techniques with tourists. On many tours, visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal with barrels, equipment, and grapes. Catering to wine enthusiasts, a handful of five-star hotels have opened in downtown Mendoza, led by the Sheraton Hotel. Argentina is the world’s 5th largest producer of wine.

Chile

support the sector in both the national and the international policy agenda.

The Open Letter calls on heads of state and government around the world to acknowledge tourism’s key role in delivering more sustained and balanced growth and prioritize the sector higher in national policies in order to maximize its potential.

The Dominican Republic

Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo. The 150 all-suite, full service hotel in Santo Domingo has been newly built and features more than 22,000 square feet of indoor meeting space in the nation’s commercial hub.

Embassy Suites welcomes guests to an array of nearby attractions, special introductory rates, and a modern fitness center and swimming pool.

In recognition of tourism as an important vehicle for socioeconomic development, the President Our Spirit: We can run faster than Speedy of Chile, Michelle Gonzalez, we can be in two or three different Bachelet, has ac- places at once, and we are willing to do cepted the World anything legal for our clients. You can find us Tourism Organization/World Travel and popping up at airports, historical and archaeoloTourism Council gical sites, deluxe resorts, charming hotels, golf courses, scenic beaches, and even at the best (UNWTO/WTTC) Open Letter on Tra- restaurants in town. vel and Tourism. We can do the impossible The Government of right away. Miracles may Chile commits to take a little bit longer!

13

Getting It Right — Sounding Polished in a Second Language

To a certain point, it’s comical.

We all had a good laugh when we heard that Pepsi’s “Come Alive With The Pepsi Generation” slogan translated into Chinese as “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back From The Grave”. We know that many words, phrases and idioms don’t translate well. This is part of life and hopefully we can see the humorous side of it.

But if it’s your company, and your carefully crafted marketing material, it’s not a laughing matter. At best, an error in translation might be written off as poorly worded by your potential clients. At worst, it may portray your company as out of touch, low-budget, or even downright offensive. In the world of global marketing and internatio-

nal business, how can you communicate well with your target market, and not end up spending your precious marketing dollars on something that will alienate the ones you are trying to attract?

1. Keep It Simple In your native tongue, idioms, figures of speech and complicated sentence structure can add variety and depth of meaning to your message. But they are a translator’s worst enemy. Instead of “we bring you the best of what the industry has to offer, hands down”, try something simpler like “We offer you the best quality in the industry”.

2. Cubits, Bushels or Yen? Nothing says oblivious like using units that your audience is not familiar with. If you grew up on the metric system but advertise to US readers, change your measurements from cubic meters to cubic feet. If you grew up with the Impe-

rial system, don’t force pounds and inches on your customers in Latin America. Do the conversions before publishing, and never make your readers do the math themselves.

3. Don’t Trust Google While it is a great tool for individual words and short phrases, free software that attempts to translate large amounts of text is often seriously flawed, and your clients will absolutely notice that something ain’t proper. Have a fluent speaker proofread your text. And while it doesn’t have to be perfect, it should be representative of your organization’s quality.

4. The Name Game Typically, if you are a king or queen, your name will be translated (e.g. Queen Elizabeth becomes La Reina Isabel in Spanish).

However if you’re just a President, your name is generally left alone (e.g. George Bush does not become Jorge Bush). For the rest of us, we’re just glad to be mentioned at all.

THANK YOU FOR READING Like life, the Travel and Hospitality 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 magazine is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a flair for what's hot, relevant and interesting. As we work together on group travel projects throughout the region, I wish you and your colleagues the best of success in fulfilling your quest, whatever it may be.

Jose Manuel Garcia Visionary, Founder and Managing Commander-in-Chief IVI DMC² 14

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