SOFT ADVENTURE The average North American

www.visitmexico.com
Selling mexico
soft adventure
J
River rafting
in the Huasteca
Potosina
ust Add Water. Clients looking for water-based excitement need look no further than Mexico, where shimmering coastlines, first-class infrastructure and
excellent service make it a breeze to sell soft adventures—and that’s a great
thing for agents who are looking to upsell clients.
According to a 2010 study from the Adventure Travel Trade Association, soft
adventure travelers spend $914 per trip compared to other travelers who
spend only $605. Whether your clients are adults or families with small children, the options are as varied as the oceans are wide. Vacationers might opt
to snorkel and swim among exotic marine life, parasail high above the beach
or float peacefully down a lazy river on an inner tube. One thing is certain: They’ll have fun.
Making
Sales Flow
Even if they haven’t experienced it first-hand yet,
people around the world
have seen lots of images of
Mexico’s beautiful coastal
cities and towns of Mexico,
where vacation dreams come
true. But many travelers
may not know exactly how
many different activities are
available, and they may not
be aware that they don’t have
to be an expert snorkeler,
surfer or swimmer to enjoy
all that Mexico has to offer.
Highlight the many exciting
possibilities, and tailor your
sales pitch to the needs of
various types of travelers, and
you’ll find even more sales
possibilities.
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Treasures
of the
Caribbean
Mexico’s gorgeous Caribbean shores—
which include Cancun, the Riviera Maya,
Cozumel and Isla Mujeres—are paradise
for fans of water sports. Among the newest attractions is MUSA, a truly unique
underwater art museum that is one of the
world’s largest artificial attractions under
the seas. More than 400 permanent, lifesize sculptures sit at the bottom of the
clear Caribbean waters, a short distance
from the Manchones reef. Aquaworld
offers a number of different ways to visit,
including beginner and advanced scuba
tours as well as snorkel tours.
Aquaworld also offers an interesting way to observe the wonders of the
Caribbean with its Paradise Sub See Explorer, a submarine-style craft that visits
the Punta Nizuc reef, accompanied by
trained guides who point out the many
species of colorful fish and marine life.
Clients can also satisfy their urge to
see the deep without getting wet while
traveling with Atlantis Submarines,
based on Cozumel Island, which offers exciting underwater excursions to
Chankanaab, a protected marine park
with spectacular coral and abundant
marine life.
Back on land, Xcaret—located in the
Riviera Maya but easily accessible from
everywhere in the Mexican Caribbean—
is rightfully one of the world’s most
famous eco parks. Even clients with
little or no experience swimming will find
themselves enjoying watery pleasures
here, thanks to the array of unique
activities that accommodate a wide
range of experience levels. Recommend
at least a full day for clients to enjoy all
that this remarkable, lushly landscaped
venue has to offer. Clients can choose
from activities including an extensive
dolphin swim program, which helps educate participants as they interact with
these remarkable creatures. They might
want to try out Snuba, a combination
of scuba diving and snorkeling, or the
Sea Trek, which allows visitors to walk
underwater and enjoy close-up views
of tropical fish, regardless of whether
they know how to scuba dive, snorkel or
even swim, thanks to the special helmet
that provides a constant flow of oxygen.
Clients at Xcaret can also take
snorkeling tours to Barracuda Reef,
where vibrantly colored parrotfish and
angelfish are among the local residents,
or enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the
underground rivers that run throughout
the park, with dramatic rock formations
creating an otherworldly ambiance that
they won’t soon forget.
Heading north toward Cancun, clients
will find a fun-filled—and water-filled—
park of a different nature: Wet n Wild
Cancun, where the exciting attractions
include a wave pool, bumper boats and
water slides. Visitors here can cool off
and relax while floating on an inner tube
down the Lazy River, or shoot through
the exciting Double Space Bowl at
speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. And
children will find lots to do in the kid’s
park section, which has miniature versions of the main attractions, set around
a pool that is one-foot deep.
Marine Life
and Movie
Stars
The Pacific coast resort town of Puerto
Vallarta is one of the few places on earth
where water sports and Hollywood glamour intersect. After all, this once-sleepy
fishing village was put on the international map back in the 1960s, when director
The average North American
traveler focused on soft adventure
spends 50 percent more per trip
than other travelers.
—Adventure Travel Trade Association, Aug 2010
John Huston filmed “Night of the Iguana”
here, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard
Burton bought vacation homes in the
hills overlooking the glorious bay.
Puerto Vallarta and the adjacent Nuevo
Vallarta are positively swimming with day
trip possibilities. Puerto Vallarta Tours
offers a six-hour sea kayaking expedition
to Boca de Tomatlan and Colomitos
Beach, where tropical fish, sea turtles
and manta rays are among the most
frequent sightings. Also worthwhile is a
trip aboard a small boat called a panga
to the Marietas Islands for birdwatching, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Mazatlan’s
Island Life
Mazatlan’s broad Pacific beaches serve
as a warm, welcoming base for a number of activities, including parasailing
and jet skiing. For a variety of activities
in one morning or afternoon, suggest a
half-day cruise from the Marina Mazatlan, which passes scenic offshore islands and perhaps a few sunbathing sea
lions before stopping at Isla Venado—
literally, Deer Island—where a pristine,
uncrowded beach offers an idyllic setting for swimming, snorkeling and enjoy-
ing a freshly prepared seafood lunch.
Or consider a visit to Stone Island,
which—in spite of its name—is not an
island, but a secluded stretch of sand
with wide beaches, lots of water-based
activities and charming palapa-covered
restaurants that serve up tasty meals as
well as live music. For water park fun,
send clients to Mazagua, located in
Nuevo Mazatlan, where water slides and
play areas are ideal for families.
Making it
Easy in
Manzanillo
The Pacific coast resort of Manzanillo offers excellent ways for less-experienced
water sports enthusiasts to learn new
skills and enjoy the scenery. Pacific
Paddlers offers tours aboard a flat boat,
which is a small, sit-on-top craft similar
to a canoe or kayak. Heading out into the
area’s unspoiled mangrove wetlands and
lagoons, clients will find beautiful scenery
and calm, easy-to-navigate waters as
guides point out the local plant and
animal life. Or consider a beginner’s surf
lesson at Olas Altas, on Miramar Beach,
where even the youngest children can
get a taste of this exciting sport, thanks
to the experienced instructors and safe,
soft-foam long boards.
Snorkel,
Sails and
Sea Lions
When it comes to offering water-based
activities, few destinations do better than
Los Cabos, which is handily positioned at
the southernmost tip of the Baja California
peninsula. Activities here, where the
Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean,
include jet skiing, sea kayaking, canoeing,
parasailing and water skiing. A company
called Caborey offers cruises to one of
Cabo’s best snorkeling spots, Chileno
Bay, which is also great for swimming.
Or suggest a day trip with Cabo Sailing, which operates daily charters that
combine snorkeling with peaceful sailing
past stunning scenery, ending with what
is usually a postcard-perfect sunset. Tio
Sports offers kayak tours from Medano
Beach that head to the iconic arch,
passing a much-photographed local sea
lion colony and stopping for snorkeling
at Pelican Rock, where conditions are
excellent for snorkelers of every level.
Finned
Friends,
Around
Mexico
Swimming with dolphins has
become one of the most popular
activities for adults and children,
and in Mexico, there are numerous
places where clients can partake
in this memorable experience.
Dolphin Discovery operates dolphinariums in several of Mexico’s
top vacation destinations, including the Costa Maya, Cozumel,
Isla Mujeres, Los Cabos, Puerto
Vallarta and the Riviera Maya. At
each of these parks, clients may
choose from a variety of programs
for adults and children. In addition,
the company operates a dolphin
swim program at Six Flags Mexico,
just outside of Mexico City.
Discover more at
www.visitmexico.com or
call 1-800-44-mexico
For educational courses about
Mexico, go to
www.magicofmexico.com
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www.visitmexico.com
selling Mexico’s
competitive spirit
Calendar of
Competitions
W
Sep 9-11, 2011 ........ Tecate SCORE San Felipe
.................................. Challenge of Champions
Oct 2011.................... Bisbee’s Offshore and Black & Blue .................................. (Los Cabos)
Oct 11-15, 2011........ Los Cabos Billfish Tournament
Oct 13-16, 2011........ Hook the Cure (Puerto Vallarta)
Nov 2-5, 2011........... Tuna Jackpot (Los Cabos)
Nov 17-20, 2011....... SCORE Baja 1000
Nov 20, 2011............. Rodeo de Lanchas Mexicanas
.................................. (Cozumel)
Dec 4, 2011............... Pesca Vertical Internacional
.................................. (Playa del Carmen)
Feb 2012................... La Manzanilla Cup
Feb thru Mar 2012.... MEXORC Regatta (Banderas Bay)
Feb thru Mar 2012.... Regatta Copa Mexico (Banderas Bay)
Feb thru Mar 2012.... Cabalgata Villista
.................................. (Chihuahua to Hidalgo de Parral)
March 2012 . ............ SCORE San Felipe 250
March 1-10, 2012..... Vallarta Race
May 2012.................. Puerto Aventuras Int’l Fishing
.................................. Tournament
May 2012.................. Int’l Game Fish Association
.................................. Offshore World Championship
May 9, 2012.............. Regatta al Sol
June 2012................. SCORE Baja 500
June 2012................. Int’l Billfish Tournament (Mazatlan)
June 21-23, 2012...... Keep’n It Reel (Baja)
July 2012................... Quicksilver Pro
.................................. (Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca)
Year-round................. Hipodromo de las Americas
.................................. (Mexico City)
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hen it comes to feeling the excitement of competition and live sports,
it’s hard to beat Mexico, where stunning natural beauty creates the
perfect setting for a variety of annual tournaments, races and events.
Whether it’s in the water or on the rugged terrain, clients will enjoy
the thrills, whether as spectators or even participants. These events
are yet another lucrative niche within Mexico’s diverse adventure and
sports travel segments—and they provide fresh opportunities to sell
and extend stays.
The Race
is On
They may bear some resemblance
to a scene from the movie Mad
Max, but races on Mexico’s Baja
California are actually the nation’s
most thrilling off-road racing events.
The off-road racing organization
called SCORE International has
announced that the next race of
the five-race 2011 SCORE Desert
Series will be the new Tecate
SCORE San Felipe Challenge of
Champions, to be held September
9-11 in San Felipe, Baja, California,
Mexico. Additional competitions
include the SCORE San Felipe
250 and SCORE Baja 500, which
usually take place in March and
June, respectively.
The flagship event is the Baja
1000, which is the final in the series
of competitions.
The 44th annual race, slated
for November 17-20, will bring
contestants from around the world
to Ensenada for a fast-paced desert
race, made all the more challenging
with booby traps, uneven terrain
and vehicle entrants that range
from motorcycles to souped-up
Volkswagen Beetles to large trucks
and standard production cars. Tour
operators including Go Baja Riding and Let’s ATV & Dirt Bike offer
packages that allow clients to get
close to the action.
Sails to
the Wind
Mexico’s more than 6,200 miles of
sparkling coastline mean that there
are lots of beautiful places for spirited sailing competitions. Among
the top events is Vallarta Race,
which takes place from March 1-10,
2012. Ricardo Brockmann’s RP52
Vincitore is the first entry for the
30th edition of the 1,000-mile, San
Diego-to-Puerto Vallarta yacht race,
which is hosted by the San Diego
Yacht Club, starting at San Diego’s
Shelter Island and finishing at the
sunny shores of Nuevo Vallarta, in
beautiful Banderas Bay, Mexico.
Banderas Bay is also the
venue for the seven-day MEXORC
(Mexican Ocean Racing Circuit)
Regatta and the Regatta Copa
Mexico, both of which run from
late February through March as a
joint effort between the Mexican
government and the Mexican Sailing Federation.
Also on the Pacific coast is the
annual La Manzanilla Cup sailboat
race, which in February 2012 will be
celebrating its fourth year. Started
by a group of ex-pat sailors in Manzanilla, the event has grown steadily
every year.
On the Gulf Coast, major sailing
events include the Regata al Sol,
which starts May 9, 2012 and runs
from Pensacola, Florida, to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. This biannual premier
offshore race is sponsored by the
Southern Yacht Club, Pensacola
Yacht Club, and the Club de Yates
Isla de Mujeres.
Pacific
Prizes
Mexico is renowned for its wealth
of sport fishing opportunities, and
during the nation’s many wellattended tournaments, the catch
is even more rewarding. In Los
Cabos alone, there are more than
500 fishing vessels ready to help
visitors catch their share of marlin,
swordfish, wahoo, dorado, yellowtail, snapper, cabrilla, corvina and
roosterfish. Something like 12,000
of these creatures are caught every
year, with most released to fight
another day.
The marina in Cabo San Lucas
serves as home base for the
destination’s most important fishing events, including the International Game Fish Association’s
Offshore World Championship,
which usually takes place in May.
The event allows some of the
world’s best anglers from as many
as 30 different countries to join in a
friendly but spirited competition.
Also noteworthy is the Los
Cabos Billfish Tournament, which
takes place October 11-15, 2011
and October 16-20, 2012. Fishing enthusiasts will likely also be
interested in Bisbee’s Offshore
and Black and Blue, which takes
place in Los Cabos every October
and is billed as the world’s richest
billfish tournament, with more than
$51 million awarded in prize money
during its three-decade history.
Also in Los Cabos is the Tuna
Jackpot, which takes place November 2-5; this year, for the first
time, landside events will take place
at the new, 900-seat culture center
recently built in Los Cabos.
Not far away, in the East Cape
region of Baja California Sur, anglers
will gather yet again from June 21-23
in for Keep’n it Reel, a so-called
“fish and chips” tournament that
combines fishing and poker, with
prizes including an off-road utility
vehicle, cash and fishing products.
On the other side of the Sea
of Cortez is Mazatlan, where the
International Billfish Tournament takes place every June at
Marina Mazatlan. Top prizes in
2011—which were awarded for
categories including sailfish, marlin,
dorado and tuna—included an
automobile, boat, hotel stays and
fishing excursions.
Further south, in Puerto Vallarta,
is Hook the Cure, a tournament
that takes place October 13-16
and is organized by Redbone to
raise money to cure cystic fibrosis.
Billfish, mahi, wahoo and tuna are
among the catches here, and participants can register for packages
that include participation as well
as all-inclusive accommodations,
spa treatments and nightly social
events.
Caribbean
Catch
The state of Quintana Roo—which
is home to vacation hotspots
including Cancún, Cozumel and the
Riviera Maya—is increasingly building its reputation as a worthwhile
destination for sport fishing. Fishing tournaments here include the
Rodeo de Lanchas Mexicanas, a
tournament in Cozumel scheduled
for November 20. In the Riviera
Maya, meanwhile, events include
the Puerto Aventuras International Fishing Tournament, held
in May, and the Pesca Vertical
Internacional, a jigging tournament
that takes place December 4 in
Playa del Carmen.
Horsing
Around
Clients interested in events of an
equine nature should consider a trip
to Mexico City, where the Hipodromo de las Américas accommodates 10,000 spectators for yearround racing action. The Jockey
Club Mexicano provides an upscale
venue for enjoying the action.
For a slower pace but equally
impressive experience, consider
the Cabalgata Villista, a major
horseback procession in February
and March that commemorates the
1923 assassination of Francisco
“Pancho” Villa. Not a competition
so much as a commemorative
event, it is nevertheless a chance to
witness a memorable show of some
3,000 riders and horses—as well
as federal and state dignitaries—as
they make their way on the 137-mile
trek from the city of Chihuahua to
Hidalgo de Parral, a small city also
in the state of Chihuahua.
Surf’s Up
The challenging waves along
Mexico’s stunning coastline have
attracted surfers for decades, and
at no time is the excitement greater
than during the various annual surf
events.
Likely the top destination for
any Mexico-bound traveler with
a surfboard is Puerto Escondido,
Oaxaca, which is also known as
the Mexican Pipeline and is one of
the top surf spots on the planet.
Puerto Escondido’s Zicatela Beach
is the site for the international PXM
Surf Contest, which takes place
in mid-November, as well as the
Quiksilver Pro surfing competition,
a qualifying event with the Association of Surfing Professionals that
takes place in July.
Top Mexican and foreign surfers
gather for this championship, showing their skills against waves that
range from six to 14 feet as they
compete to win their share of an
$85,000 purse.
Connect
to Win
Qualifying clients and making a successful
sales pitch is important when selling any
destination. And with Mexico’s many annual
sporting events, selling is that much easier,
since agents can find a natural connection between clients’ own interests and
various events throughout the region. Do
your clients like to sail? Suggest a sailing
competition as a way to add value to their
vacation. Are they car enthusiasts? Consider
an off-road race.
With Mexico’s annual sporting events, you’ll
have that much more to sell—and more
opportunities to provide clients with a
dream vacation that will make them want
to go back again and again.
Discover more at
www.visitmexico.com or
call 1-800-44-mexico
For educational courses about
Mexico, go to
www.magicofmexico.com
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www.mexico-sustainable.com
selling MEXICO
ECO-ADVENTURE
ECO TO GO
Given the breadth of ecological and
archeological wonders across Mexico,
it’s no surprise that eco-tour companies abound. Some firms are based
in Mexico itself and work primarily
around one major destination and
region, while others are U.S.-based but
cover various sites throughout Mexico.
The following list highlights some
operators worth checking out.
Eco-Expierience:
Canopy Tours In
Nayarit Jungle
Monte alban
archeological
site in oaxaca
CENTERS OF
ATTENTION
Another plus about exploring
in Mexico is the abundance
of eco-friendly resort towns
that can serve as a home base
for adventures. Oaxaca, in the
foothills of the Sierra Madre
Mountains, brims with cultural
and environmental adventures.
Popular eco-tour highlights
include Oaxaca’s extensive
Spanish colonial architecture (notably several historic
churches and palaces) and
archeological sites from the
Zapotec and Mixtec peoples.
Oaxaca is also close to more
than a half-dozen state and
national parks.
Loreto, tucked into the southeastern Baja coast, was Spain’s
first Baja settlement and the
early capital of California.
Along with quality hotels and
restaurants, Loreto offers a
wealth of history and culture,
including Jesuit Missions (and
a museum highlighting their
artifacts) and a series of cave
paintings in the canyons and
mountains just outside of town.
The waters and nearby islands
of the Sea of Cortes are an ecodelight delight, rich in exotic
birds, colorful fish, sea lions
and dolphins.
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Northern
Wonder: Copper
Canyon defies
comparison
A
s more Americans incorporate environmental sensitivity into their daily
lives, they’ve also come to expect the same while away on vacation. Enter
eco-tourism, the hot travel niche driven by the desire to relax and unwind
in an enjoyable, environmentally friendly manner. The buzz words—
green, renewable, carbon footprints, LEED-certified—ring familiar, if not
ubiquitous, in the industry. More importantly, though, is the recognition
that while enjoyable and satisfying, eco-vacations with a good helping of
adventure can broaden horizons, educate travelers and, ideally, provide
once-in-a-lifetime experiences. That said, Mexico provides an ideal setting
for rewarding eco-adventures. There’s easy access, comfortable accommodations,
good food and, best of all, a wealth of exciting eco-based activities worth exploring.
A NATURAL
CHOICE
While eco-tourism represents a
defined travel niche, it’s hardly a
limited market. Indeed, the profile of
an eco-traveler could comfortably fit
practically anyone, from students,
older adults, and families to church
and corporate groups. A critical common thread: Basking in a spectacular
environment, whether it’s exploring
Mayan ruins, swimming with a school
of rare dolphins or navigating an
endangered mangrove swamp, or
floating in a mysterious underground
pool known as a cenote. Fortunately,
Mexico comes chock full of major
destinations that can serve as jumping-off points for eco-adventures.
Cancun, tucked into the balmy
Yucatan Peninsula, brings a smorgasbord of fun activities to a traveler’s
table. Bird enthusiasts flock to the
area to observe rare egrets, pink
flamingos, herons and pelicans from
Holbox Island on the Yum Balam
Biosphere Reserve. At Garrafón
Natural Reef Park, set on lush Isla
Mujeres (about a half-hour by boat
from Cancun), visitors can snorkel,
kayak, swim with dolphins and learn
about native plants and fish.
The Riviera Maya is home to an
extensive Caribbean jungle, an educational journey enjoyed both from
above ground (by zip line) and below,
while navigating a stalactite-shrouded
river. Chinchorro Bank Biosphere
Reserve, created in 1996, draws a
crowd for its nesting turtles, native
conch and lobster species and an
enormous, shipwreck-filled reef.
Puerto Vallarta’s terrain, a swatch
of lush jungles, winding rivers and
sparkling waterfalls, makes it a natural for eco-explorations. Hiking and
horseback expeditions are itinerary
favorites, where travelers encounter
iguanas, rare butterflies and more
than 350 species of birds. The shore
and coastal waters are also the birthplace of sea turtles and humpback
whales, Puerto Vallarta’s best known
visitors and most popular winter attraction.
Baja Mexico, famed for some of
the country’s most starkly beautiful
terrain, is an eco-tourism treasure.
With its rugged deserts, rocky cliffs
and remote beaches, this scenic
slice of Mexico proves perfect for
eco-adventures. The Pacific Ocean
is a favorite for snorkeling, kayaking
and a major corridor for whale watching, as well as a slew of sea caves
and mangrove marshes worthy of
exploration. The Baja desert doesn’t
disappoint either, with Santuario de
los Cactus, one of the world’s largest caches (roughly 120 acres worth)
of the prickly plant, just 45 minutes
south of La Paz.
ROADS
LESS TAKEN
Mexico also gives eco-visitors
abundant opportunities to veer off the
traditional tourist path and be delightfully surprised. Tulum, about 80 miles
south of Cancun, refers to both the
spectacular former Maya city and the
small, Mexican tourist town nearby.
The present-day village sits on the
Caribbean shore, with beautiful
beaches and a relatively small, quiet
Mexico’s mysterious
cenotes often lead
to underground
cave systems
EcoColors Tours, based in Cancun;
ecotravelmexico.com
Hot tour: Wildlife Safari, an interactive eight-day tour of the Mayan region,
with bird and monkey observation,
a tour of the Mayan community Ek
Balam, and a night hikes to observe
crocodiles around a Coba lagoon.
The Secretary of Tourism, Mexico Tourism
Board, and Mexico Boutique Hotels are
members of the World Heritage Alliance for
Sustainable Tourism, a global community
committed to the conservation of World Heritage
sites and the well being of local people.
FUNBAJA, based in La Paz; funbaja.com
(in partnership with GreenEdventures;
greenedventures.com)
Hot tour: Baja Mexico Seaquest,
a one-week educational adventure
focusing on hiking, camping, and kayaking; reef surveys; observing wild sea
lions and studying marine and desert
habitats.
hotel zone. It’s a haven to wonders
both natural—the Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka’an—and cultural,
including the ancient forest village
of Coba. The Mayan walled city of
Tulum, set on steep cliffs overlooking
the Caribbean Sea, is stunning in its
scope, imagination and beauty.
One of the best ways to explore the
treasures of the Sierra Madre is via
El Chepe, the railway runs some 390
miles between Northern Mexico and
the Sea of Cortes. Built in 1961, the
Copper Canyon Line wends its way
across some of North America’s most
spectacular back country, a mile and
a half high at the Continental Divide.
Along the way, towns like Creel and
El Fuerte provide ample chances to
break away and hike the rich, rugged
back country and brush up on local
arts and culture.
The dense tropical forests near
Chiapas remain an eco-adventure
favorite. The world-famous Lacandon Jungle alone provides a refuge
for almost two-thirds of Mexico’s
tropical tree species, 3,500 types of
plants, 1,157 invertebrates and more
Natural Habitat Adventures,
based in Boulder, Col.; nathab.com
Hot Tour: Kingdom of the Monarchs,
six days in the Mexican Highlands
following and studying millions of
migrating monarch butterflies around
Rosario and Piedra Herrada.
than 200 types of reptiles. The inland
waterways provide a fascinating
journey from eerie Miramar Lagoon
(with its toucans and wild monkeys)
to the Mayan ruins at Lacan-ha near
Palenque.
SELLING ECOADVENTURE
IN MEXICO
As a country, Mexico offers four
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
officially recognized as natural preserves and biospheres (Sian Ka’an,
the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, the
Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino and
the Islands and Protected Areas of
the Gulf of California). But many of
the country’s UNESCO designated
cultural sites are also located in rich
natural areas: the Agave Landscape
of Tequila, the Pre-Hispanic City and
National Park of Palenque, the Rock
Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco and many more.
Because of this, Mexico is an ideal
destination for this niche, with easy
airlift to major destinations where new
adventurers have ready access to
spectacular and well-organized ecoadventures via day-trip excursions
or easy overnights. For experienced
adventurers, Mexico maintains its
appeal thanks to its incredibly diverse
landscapes and sense of “undiscovered” terrain—that still maintains
enough infrastructure to facilitate
reasonable travel conditions.
When selling adventure travel to
Mexico, emphasize the diversity of
the country as well as its commitment
to preserving the environment and
maintaining the natural habitats that
are critical to indigenous plant and
wildlife—and the traditional cultures
of its people. To that end, major
tourism organizations have also
shown commitment to the environment. The Secretary of Tourism,
Mexico Tourism Board, and Mexico
Boutique Hotels are members of the
World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, a global community
committed to the conservation of
World Heritage sites and the well
being of local people.
EcoTours de Mexico, based in Puerto
Vallarta; ecotoursvallarta.com
Hot tour: Sea Turtle Camp and
Crocodile Adventure, a half-day exploration of El Quelele lagoon (to observe
crocodiles) and the beaches to observe
the nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles.
Discover more at
www.visitmexico.com or
call 1-800-44-mexico
For educational courses about
Mexico, go to
www.magicofmexico.com
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Adventure Travel World Summit
www.adventuretravel.biz/connect/summit/
selling MEXICO
intense ADVENTURE
Left to Right:
Offroading
on the beach;
Rappelling in
Jalisco; Great
White Shark Off
of Baja; Whitewater Action In
Huasteca; Pico
De Orizaba On
The Border of
Veracruz and
Puebla.
The
World
Summit
for Selling
Adventure
This year, Mexico has the honor of
hosting the Adventure Travel World
Summit, the world’s largest gathering of adventure travel experts, tour
operators, travel agents and other industry leaders. Scheduled for October
17-20 in San Cristóbal de las Casas,
Chiapas, the event is an excellent
opportunity to learn more about this
lucrative market segment.
Register here:
www.adventuretravel.biz/connect/
summit/
For pre-summit adventures:
www.adventuretravel.biz/connect/
summit/adventures/pre-summitadventures/
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A
ccording to a recent survey released by Frommer’s Unlimited, 92 percent of
travelers selected “things to do” as an important factor when they choose
a destination. And no one is more devoted to finding exciting activities than
adventure travelers. The attraction for anyone selling this niche is clear, according to Chris Doyle, vice president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
“Adventure travelers spend between three and four times more than the average sun- and beach-goers, stay over twice as long and are interested in visiting
destinations that are currently not being visited by tourists.” Adrenaline-filled
activities attract the most devoted followers and the most repeat business.
And Mexico, with its countless natural wonders, is ideally positioned to satisfy
the most diehard adventurers.
Vacation
to the Max
Regardless of what type of adventure
your clients crave, Mexico offers ways
to get their hearts pumping and their
imaginations soaring. From the far corner
of the Mexican Caribbean to the top of
the Baja California peninsula, this nation
is packed with unparalleled opportunities
to sell excitement.
Showing
Teeth
There’s nothing quite like the first time you
stare a shark in the face. And Mexico offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.
During the fall months, travelers head to
Guadelupe Island, off the west coast of
Baja California, for close-up encounters
with fearsome great white sharks, viewed
from the safety of an underwater cage
made of reinforced steel. Six-day excursions aboard the Nautilus Explorer are
among the best ways for thrill-seeking
scuba divers to join the fun.
Shark fans should also consider Playa
del Carmen, where migrating bull sharks
become the perfect diving companions
between November and February.
For aquatic encounters on an even
larger scale, suggest a visit to Mexico’s
Caribbean coast between mid-May and
mid-September, when dozens of massive whale sharks—the largest fish on
the planet—pass through the region’s
warm waters. Visitors may swim, dive
and snorkel with these gentle beasts,
and perhaps join the annual Whale
Shark Festival, which usually takes
place in July, on Isla Mujeres.
Other Ways
to Get Wet
Mexico’s waters offer stunning glimpses
into beautiful worlds that most humans
never see. For scuba diving, top choices
include Arrecifes de Cozumel, a national marine park that comprises part of
the second-largest coral reef system in
the world. On the west coast, the Sea of
Cortez—which divides the Baja California peninsula from the rest of Mexico—
was rightfully called the “aquarium of the
world” by Jacques Cousteau, thanks to
its wide variety of marine life.
Water-bound excitement awaits on
mainland Mexico as well, even miles from
shore. On the Yucatan peninsula, clients
may scuba dive and snorkel in subterranean tunnels and rivers that connect
dramatic sinkholes, which are called
cenotes in Spanish. Hidden Worlds,
a cenote adventure park near Tulum,
offers the chance to combine dry and
wet adventure, with activities including
a high-speed zip line, cenote rappelling
and cenote diving, as well as the unique
SkyCycle—a recumbent-style bicycle,
connected to a wire, that allows visitors
to pedal across the treetops.
Kayaking is another rewarding experience in Mexico. A tour company called
Kayak Huasteca, for example, offers
heavy-duty kayaking and stand-up paddling adventures in three whitewater destinations in the Huasteca region, which
covers part of the states of Veracruz and
Queretaro.
When it comes to high-speed action,
whitewater rafting is one of Mexico’s
most intensely enjoyable activities.
The state of Veracruz is square one for
rafters, thanks to its more than 40 rivers
that brim with world-class rapids ranging
from class 1 (the easiest level) to 6 (the
most advanced). Local tour operators
include Veraventuras, which offers
Mexico
Adventures:
Safe and
Secure
“Adventure travelers spend
between three and four
times more than the average
sun- and beach-goers[and]
stay over twice as long.”
While Mexico’s many adventure
travel activities make it an easy
sell, it’s still important to educate
travelers about safety. According to
Chris Doyle, vice president of the
Adventure Travel Trade Association,
concerns about security in Mexico
have been blown out of proportion.
— Chris Doyle, Vice President, Adventure Travel Trade Association
single-day and multiple-day packages
that combine rafting with rappelling,
hiking and other outdoor activities.
Up in the Air
Zip line canopy tours—during which
participants are harnessed securely
to a series of treetop-level cables and
glide over the scenery below—offer a
breathtaking chance to enjoy Mexico’s
varied landscapes. Zip lines are available
in many popular destinations, including
Cozumel, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and
the Sumidero Canyon National Park,
in the southern state of Chiapas. In Los
Cabos, Wild Canyon Adventures offers
the unique experience of “moon zipping”—
riding the zip lines by moonlight.
Wheels and
Hooves
Mexico’s rugged mountains offer scenic
settings for exploring, and mountain bike
and horseback excursions are among
the best ways to enjoy the sights. The
state of Oaxaca alone has more than
100,000 acres of mountains and valleys,
linked by a network of bike paths that
extends for more than 100 miles. Local
tour operators including Bicicletas
Pedro Martinez and Mountain Bike
Oaxaca, both based in the city of Oaxaca, offer a variety of itineraries.
Clients looking to go horseback riding
will find even more options, thanks to
the many parks, reserves and beaches
where operators keep horses at the
ready. Wyoming-based Equitours, for
example, organizes rides with quarter
horses and thoroughbreds, including La
Fiesta Cavalcade, a multi-day itinerary
in the lush, mountainous countryside
around Valle de Bravo, less than three
hours southwest of Mexico City.
For a faster pace, adventure seekers
can head to the Baja peninsula, to thunder
across part of the Baja 1000 racecourse
in actual off-road racing cars, or perhaps
explore the dramatic terrain with Los
Cabos-based operator Sierra Buggies.
Hiking and
Climbing
Well-marked trails and spectacular scenery make Mexico’s Copper Canyon and
Valle de Bravo among the most popular
destinations for hikers. Mountain climb-
ers will find awe-inspiring challenges
throughout the nation, including La Malinche, an extinct volcano near Tlaxacala
that is Mexico’s fifth-highest mountain
and one of the best intermediate hiking
areas in central Mexico. Advanced climbers can go for the gusto at the dramatically four-peaked Iztaccihuatl, in the
state of Puebla, and Pico de Orizaba,
in the state of Veracruz, which at 18,491
feet is Mexico’s highest peak.
“Statistics show that most destinations in Mexico are no more
dangerous than any large US City,”
he noted. “Obviously, as with any
other destination around the world,
common sense is paramount when
traveling alone in the back country.
For this reason, we strongly suggest traveling with reputable tour
operators or local guides who are
permanently in touch with local
security situations.”
Sell and
Sell Again
Hard-core adventure travelers are a
devoted bunch. They’re not satisfied with
just one trip and one experience; indeed,
they are likely to be on a constant quest
for new challenges. And no destination
is better positioned than Mexico to allow
you to take advantage of this hunger for
adventure. Each of Mexico’s geographically and culturally diverse regions offers
its own unique excitement—so it’s logical
to suggest not only return trips, but also
first-time visits to destinations that clients
have not yet discovered. Keep them
excited and your clients will keep going
back for more.
Discover more at
www.visitmexico.com or
call 1-800-44-mexico
For educational courses about
Mexico, go to
www.magicofmexico.com
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www.visitmexico.com
selling MEXICO
luxury adventure
Swim with whale
sharks at the
maroma resort
and spa
VIVA LOS VILLAS
For special travelers seeking both eco-thrills and
all the comforts of home, Mexico brings a host of
sumptuous villas to the luxury adventure table.
These private, furnished homes can work wonderfully for families and small groups who seek privacy
and a relaxed intimacy in their vacation accommodations. Moreover, many villas often have close ties
with adventure operators, making those plans to go
whale watching or hike in the rainforest a seamless
process. Among Mexico’s finer villas:
Sanctuare’s Hacienda Petac–Restored fivebedroom (sleeps 12), 17th-century Spanish Colonial
estate (on 80 Yucatan Peninsula acres), furnished
with antiques, a half-hour from Merida Airport.
Pool, spa, gym, bird watching and within 90
minutes of several Mayan archeological sites.
(www.sanctuare.com)
Hacienda De San Antonio–Restored 19thcentury mansion (22 suites) set on a 470-acre
working ranch and organic farm 14 miles from
Colima in the Western Highlands, two hours from
Manzanillo Airport. Tennis court, lap pool, horseback
riding, mountain biking, hiking nearby volcanoes.
(haciendadesanantonio.com)
Villa del Faro–Posh, cozy, four-casita estate set
on the Sea of Cortes an hour’s drive east of Los
Cabos International Airport. Surfing, scuba diving,
bird watching, hiking, snorkeling and whale watching. (villadelfaro.net)
Cuixmala–Former Pacific Ocean estate of billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, with a luxury
manor home, villa and casitas, set on 25,000 acres
one hour north of Manzanillo Airport. Snorkeling,
surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, deep sea fishing,
horseback riding, hiking, bird watching.
(cuixmala.com)
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Thrill-seekers
catch a bird’s eye
view zip lining at
sites across the
country or even
skydiving at The
Tides Riviera Maya
Sumptuous open air living at
Verana resort is home base
after jungle treks, fishing,
kayaking and other adventures
F
ENDLESS
SUMMER
or those still thinking of adventure travel as a bare-bones, seat-of-the-pants
operation, consider Mexico and re-imagine what adventure—and luxury—
can be. A host of properties throughout Mexico take advantage of the
country’s incredible natural diversity to create experiences that are unlike
anywhere else. From water-based adventures in well-traveled tourism
corridors to jungle eco-experiences or surfing getaways in off-the-beatenpath locales, luxury adventure can take many forms, but one thing’s for sure:
Your high-end thrill seekers will get hooked on vacations that combine an
on-demand rush of adrenaline with decadent surroundings and services.
EAST COAST
THRILLS
The Riviera Maya, just 30 miles south
of Cancun, is no stranger to luxury
properties. The region is home to six
AAA Five Diamond resorts, including two in the exclusive Mayakoba
development (Fairmont and Rosewood
Mayakoba), Grand Velas, Mandarin
Oriental, Royal Hideway and Zoetry
Paraiso de la Bonita. Most of the exclusive properties in this affluent area
will accommodate archeological and
eco-tours through the concierge, but a
few take true advantage of the unique
natural attributes of this coastal gem,
not only offering once-in-a-lifetime
adventures to guests but encouraging
these experiences.
At the Maroma Resort & Spa (not
a Five Diamond, but on Conde Nast
Traveler’s Gold List and Travel +
Leisure’s World’s Best) travelers get
the sense that they have emerged
at the cusp of the earth (maroma
hotel.com). A dense, verdant jungle
gives way to a white-sand beach and
here exists the essence of a luxury
escape, with blazing white architecture, thatch-roofed palapas and a zest
for eco-adventures that both intrigue
and excite. Here, clients can embark
on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog tour
through the jungle to interact with an
isolated Mayan community and dive
into the mystery of an underwater river.
Guests may also choose a zip line tour
that lands travelers in the jungle, where
they mountain bike into the local communities and participate in a traditional
Mayan purification ritual. Perhaps the
tour de force of Maroma’s adventure
tours, however, is the opportunity to
snorkel with the whale sharks that
annually migrate along the coast of
Contoy Island. Though gentle and
plant-eating, these sharks pack a thrill
for anyone lucky enough to be in the
right place at the right time.
Clients can take their adventurous
hearts to new heights when staying
at The Tides Riviera Maya (tides
rivieramaya.com). Skydiving adventures are on the menu at this boutiqueoriented resort that offers 30 exclusive
villa accommodations (each with a
private swimming pool) tucked into the
Mayan jungle. If clients prefer to keep
their feet on solid ground—for most of
their adventure—there’s an excursion
to a nearby biosphere reserve to watch
spider monkeys and canoe through a
deep blue lagoon. After reaching the
highest point of the preserve, travelers will zip line back across the lagoon
before heading back to the resort to
recuperate the following day with a hot
stone massage or simply lazing the day
away in a hammock by the pool.
ISLAND
ADVENTURE
Off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa
Island is an intimate village of artists,
naturalists, jungle enthusiasts and
deserted-beach lovers that travelers can access with a reservation at
the dramatic Verana resort (verana.
com). This collection of eight stylized, handmade houses realize the
potential of rustic luxury, with open air
living, sleeping and recreational spaces
that nevertheless provide sumptuous
shelter for the adventure traveler who
may have a penchant for artful living,
Mexico boasts 14 AAA Five Diamond
hotels and resorts, many with quick
access to adventure activities.
And don’t forget the private villas.
innovative architecture and/or truly
communing with nature.
After the flight to Puerto Vallarta and
a boat ride to the island, visitors are
met by a guide and mules that transport luggage to the resort. Once on
property, adventures are offered in an
on-demand environment, with resident
guides. Just a 24-hour advance notice
is required, and most tours require
only two participants to operate.
Jungle treks to Cathedral Falls are
a favorite for guests. The destination
can be accessed by foot or on horseback. For experienced hikers, Pizota
trek is a challenging option with steep
inclines and declines that are rewarded
by stunning vistas and refreshing
ocean swims. Fishing, ocean kayaking
and excursions to see whales and rare
wildlife are also available.
BEACH
BUMMING
IN BAJA
The nearly 800-mile stretch of Baja
Peninsula from Mexicali to Cabo
San Lucas is an eco-wonderland,
a snaking swatch of desert, mountains, pine and oak forests, bracketed
by the Pacific Ocean and Sea of
Cortes. About an hour’s drive north of
the glitzier Cabo lies Todos Santos—
until recently a little-known secret primarily trafficked by surf boards. While
it still maintains its low-key appeal and
a devotion to wildlife—particularly the
turtles that have taken refuge here after
the development of Los Cabos—Todos
Santos has become a haven for artists
and a community of surf-loving expats.
In the middle of it all is Rancho
Pescadero (ranchopescadero.
com), a quintessential house of
beach-bum luxury that indulges guests
with such adventure opportunities
as surfing (natch), biking, hiking the
nearby Sierra Laguna mountains
or fishing. Guests can choose to go
it alone, or snag one of the resident
experts for a guided excursion on
demand. Food is a focus here, where
organic gardens produce daily harvests for the kitchen. If guests bring
back their own catch-of-the-day from
a fishing excursion, the kitchen will
prepare it to their liking. To be sure,
this 27-room resort offers an anythinggoes environment for luxury travelers
who revel in spontaneity and are open
to new experiences. The ocean views
are perfect for sipping margaritas and
watching the dolphins frolic nearby.
SELLING
LUXURY
ADVENTURE
Scaling adventure to the luxury traveler
is an easy task in Mexico. Certainly,
many of the country’s 14 AAA Five
Diamond resorts make it easy for highend travelers to access soft adventure
activities, but agents may need to go
further afield to recommend luxury
adventures that are truly unique. It’s
those experiences that will keep
clients returning for more—whether it’s
the thrill of physically or mentally demanding feats or the once-in-a-lifetime
settings and unique surroundings that
only Mexico can offer with warm service and personalized attention, which
is of course the ultimate luxury.
The cool Pacific waters off Mexico’s
southwest coast remain as revered by
surfers as those around Hawaii. Thus, it’s
not surprising to find a thriving tourism
niche built around the idea of learning
how to claim and conquer the perfect
wave. Instructional Surf Adventures (ISA)
Mexico (isamexico.com), set in the ecofriendly beach town of Playa Troncones
about 20 miles north of Ixtapa (150 miles
NW of Acapulco) offers multi-day training
camps covering all aspects of the aquatic
art form, from surf culture and board
design to a video analysis of skill and
technique. Local accommodations range
from guest homes and inns to boutique
hotels like the Posada de los Raqueros
(raqueros.com) and Hacienda Eden
(edenmex.com), overlooking gorgeous
Manzanillo Bay. While the waves rule
in Troncones, they’re by no means the
tiny town’s only adventure, with diving,
horseback riding, spelunking and cycling
among camp attendee’s additional
fun options.
Discover more at
www.visitmexico.com or
call 1-800-44-mexico
For educational courses about
Mexico, go to
www.magicofmexico.com
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www.mexico-sustainable.com
selling MEXICO
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
CASCADAS DE AGUA
AZUL BIOSPHERE
RESERVE IN CHIAPAS
Staying
Green
For clients who respect the
environment but don’t want
to sacrifice the luxe life, the
master-planned resort of
Mayakoba was purposebuilt to provide luxurious
accommodations that blend
into the natural beach and
jungle ambiance of the
Riviera Maya. All three luxury
hotels on site – Banyon
Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont
Mayakoba and Rosewood
Mayakoba – feature business practices that focus on
a commitment to sustainability as well as eco-friendly
activities such as nature
walks, zip lining through the
jungle and cenote diving.
For an even more focused
approach to conservation,
the Eco-Hotel El Rey del
Caribe in downtown Cancun
was designed around the
concept of sustainability, and
features cutting-edge efforts
such as an environmental
management plan based on
the use of water heaters that
function with solar energy,
rain water capture and more.
The hotel also serves as a
school, where students can
learn about eco-friendly
techniques and guests can
sit it on talks about the
environment.
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F
PUERTO ANGEL,
OAXACA, A DAY
TRIP FROM
HUALTUCO
rom guided research trips to photography safaris, Mexico offers
clients the chance to discover the mysteries of Mexico’s forests,
jungles, oceanside and desert landscapes—all while giving back to
Mother Nature.
Not only does Mexico boast some of the richest natural offerings on
our planet, but the country has also made sustainable tourism a priority. More than 45 million acres of ecological reserves, 22 biosphere
reserves, 47 national parks and nine protected wildlife areas translate
into opportunities to sell ecotourism at a countrywide level.
Quintana
Roo
Perhaps best known for the luxury
hotels and nightlife of Cancun, the
state of Quintana Roo is also home
to a whole different kind of wildlife. With more than 90 percent of
the state covered with low forests,
the biodiverse area is the breeding
ground for more than 360 species of
birds, 105 mammal species, 83 types
of amphibians and reptiles, and over
1,000 species of flora.
The Mexican government’s
Protected Natural Areas Program
preserves valuable land and marine
ecosystems in more than a third of
the state’s territory, meaning the land
will be maintained to welcome clients
for years to come.
Clients can use the luxury hotels
of Cancun or the Riviera Maya as
a base for day trips to the nearby
natural wonders or as a starting point
before an active eco-themed excursion. From Cancun, for example,
clients can join excursions to Puerta
Verde (“Green Door”) with Kanché,
a non-profit civil association, or NGO
(non-governmental organization), that
works with rural communities in Quin-
tana Roo promoting sustainable development. The sea and jungle route
allows clients to connect personally
with hosts and guides from seven
different Mayan communities while
enjoying such activities as exploring
caves, kayaking on lagoons, visiting
a colorful butterflies’ pavilion, camping
in the jungle, tasting traditional gastronomy or swimming with the harmless whale shark on trips that range
from one to four days. The involved
communities get paid directly for
services provided and a percent of the
proceeds is reinvested in environmental and cultural improvement projects.
Chiapas
Ancient Mayan ruins, lush rainforests,
soaring mountains and unspoiled
coastline have already put Mexico’s
southernmost state of Chiapas on the
map for adventure and eco-tourism.
Expect clients to hear even more
about the natural beauty and sustainability efforts of Chiapas as experts
gather in this fascinating state in
October for the Adventure World
Travel Summit.
The draw of Chiapas for the summit—and for clients—is clear, including
highlights such as the Cascadas de
Agua Azul Biosphere Reserve, the
Ecological Reserve Rancho Nuevo, Montebello Lagoons and Miso
Ha Waterfall, to name just a few.
Oaxaca
A trip to Chiapas is often bundled
with its neighbor state Oaxaca. Here,
clients will find several areas where
sustainability efforts are top of mind,
including Huatulco, the first destination in North America to achieve the
Green Globe environmental certification for its commitment to the highest
environmental standards.
This coastal paradise is home
to nine bays that stretch along a
jagged coastline that encompasses
36 beaches. Near the coast, clients
might encounter wildlife ranging from
armadillos and white-tailed deer to
black iguanas and salamanders,
while bird watchers have the opportunity to check more than 700 species
off their lists.
On the southern coast of Oaxaca,
the town of Santa María Tonameca
is home to a turtle research center,
as well as conservation centers for
butterflies and iguanas. For guided
CENOTE IN
QUINTANA ROO
Getting to Neutral
Eco-tourism is the fastest
growing sub-sector in the
travel industry, growing
15 percent a year.
tours of the turtle sanctuary, rafting,
camping, canoe trips and environmental education workshops, the
Cooperative Society Sanctuary
for Turtles “La Escobilla” focuses
on preserving the Gulf species of the
marine turtle through ecotourism.
To the north of Oaxaca, Pueblos Mancomunados de la Sierra
Norte offers hiking and mountain
biking tours of one to five days to the
eight Zapotec towns settled high in
Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte. Here, clients
visit with the “People of the Clouds,”
engaging in cultural exchanges while
also enjoying zip lining, horseback
riding and other adventures that
contribute to the area’s economic
development.
Tourism
Hot Spots
For clients who want to incorporate
some eco-tourism along with more
traditional Mexican highlights, suggest any of these nature must-sees
located in popular destinations best
known for their world-class hotels,
fascinating culture, and outstanding
cuisine and nightlife.
• Acapulco: Rio Papagayo—one
of the region’s most important river
valleys
• Mexico City: Parque Ecologico de
Xochimilco—a World Heritage Site
• Guadalajara: Bosque La Primavera—the most important national park
in the metropolitan area
• Morelia: Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Sanctuary—refuge for the
monarch butterfly
• Puebla: Izta-Popo National Park—
home to second and third highest
elevations in Mexico
• Puerto Vallarta: Boca de Tomates—visitors help protect marine
turtles and their offspring during the
hatching process
• Riviera Nayarit: Cruz de Huanacaxtle—nesting ground for the Olive
Ridley sea turtle, an endangered
species
• Veracruz: Reserva Especial de la
Biosfera de Los Tuxtlas—one of the
most important natural areas in the
country at 382,850 acres
• Cozumel: Reserva Ecologica
Parque Punta Sur—a refuge for about
50 aquatic bird species
• Los Cabos: Parque Nacional Marino
Cabo Plumo—home to the only living
coral reef in western North America
• Merida: Jardin Botanico Regional—
Clients interested in eco-tourism will surely be conscious of
their carbon footprint as they travel. To help calculate and
offset travelers’ carbon footprint, the Mexico Tourist Board,
in conjunction with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Alliance, has created a carbon-offset calculator to report
greenhouse gas emissions during travel. Agents can now
plan eco-vacations by measuring the impact of their clients’
itineraries with the calculator on Mexico’s new eco-focused
web site: www.mexico-sustainable.com.
an important variety of indigenous
vegetation
• Palenque: Agua Clara—an excellent spot to go on a photo safari
Selling
Eco-Tourism:
It’s a Natural
NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) have sprung up throughout
Mexico, creating tourism opportunities that allow clients to mingle with
local communities, experience real-life
adventures and ensure their dollars go
back to the communities they visit.
Government institutions, too, are
working towards the restoration and
conservation of ecosystems and
natural resources, with an eye to attracting more tourists to these areas.
As interest in eco-tourism continues to grow—it’s currently the fastest
growing sub-sector in the travel
industry with an estimated worldwide
annual growth of as much as 15
percent—clients will increasingly look
for destinations that care for their
resources while providing
fun and adventure. Mexico is the
natural choice.
Where the
Sky Is Born
The first established Biosphere
Reserve in Mexico, Sian Ka’an–
Mayan for “where the sky is born”–
is a UNESCO World Heritage site and
the third largest protected site in
Mexico, sprawling over 1.3 million
acres in Quintana Roo.
For a marine adventure designed
to provide income to the local community, Community Tours Sian
Ka’an offers tours that include
walks along mangroves, bird watching of up to 300 species, paddling
along lagoons, fly fishing and
exploring Mayan ruins. Similarly,
Visit Sian Ka’an is a group that
provides sustainable service options
for vacationers that want to help
protect local ecosystems by way of
local guides.
Discover more at
www.visitmexico.com or
call 1-800-44-mexico
For educational courses about
Mexico, go to
www.magicofmexico.com
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