Aeroméxico Orders Dreamliners

Aeroméxico has signed a contract to buy six more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with an option to purchase four more. This will give the airline a fleet of at least 19 Dreamliners, the first of which is scheduled for delivery next August. Also on order are 90 737-8 MAX, with privately-owned Aeroméxico planning to invest $11 billion in upgrading its fleet.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

150,000 visited Maya sites

To mark the end of the 13th Baktun, some 150,000 people crowded into archaeological sites in Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Chiapas, according to official figures. A Baktun is a period of 144,000 days and its end is thought to signify the beginning of a new era. Some believed that it marked the end of the world. Hotels were crowded, but, then again, Christmas vacation accounted for crowds everywhere. Acapulco, far from any ancient ruins, reported a virtual 100 percent occupancy.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Dates set for Tianguis in Puebla

The Tianguis Tourism Trade Show will be held this year in Puebla from March 17 to March 20, with hotel rooms available to participants at rates ranging from 750 to 1,100 pesos per night (currently 12.85 pesos is equal to one dollar). Organizers expect about 500 exhibitors and about 1,500 buyers to attend. The Tianguis attracts tour operators and packagers to attend. They will meet with representatives of hotel chains, airlines and other suppliers of services to the industry. Puebla lies about 80 miles east of Mexico City. This is the first time the Tianguis has not been held at a beach resort.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Acapulco to get Tiangius back

President Enrique Peña Nieto, on a visit to the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, promised that its famous resort, Acapulco, would once again host the Tianguis trade show, but not until 2015. Commitments have been made for the event to be held in Puebla next year and on the Riviera Maya in 2014. Acapulco had been host city since 1976, but starting last year the event became “itinerant,” the result of declining attendance. In 1976, Acapulco was the only internationally famous resort destination in Mexico. Today there are many and Acapulco has gone into decline. Peña Nieto promised to reverse that. Tourism Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu calls Acapulco her home town.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Eagles, raptors await eagle-eyed fans in Western Connecticut

Get ready, eagle-eyed bird watchers: The eagles are back.  In what has become an annual migration, graceful bald eagles fly down from more frozen northern climes each winter to Southbury in Western Connecticut’s Litchfield County. The birds have learned that the running waters of the Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic River in Southbury prevents ice from forming, insuring a ready supply of fish, the eagles’ favorite dish. To make things even better, when the fish come through the dam turbine, they’re a bit stunned and tend to lie on top of the water, making for a tasty buffet.

Eagles have been wintering in this region for decades now and bird lovers flock to watch them in action through telescopes provided at the Shepaug Eagle Observation Area in Southbury.

Those who want close ups of eagles and 20 other species of birds of prey have another option in Litchfield County. Majestic raptors are on view any time of year at the Sharon Audubon Center, where aviaries house some 16 species of birds of prey that are not able to survive in the wild on their own.

 

SHEPAUG EAGLE OBSERVATION AREA

 

 More than 136,000 people have visited the free Southbury observation area operated by FirstLight Power Resources since it was opened to the public in 1986. Telescopes provide close-ups and volunteers from Connecticut Audubon are on hand to help spot the eagles and to answer questions about the birds. The number of birds in residence varies from day to day. Last winter viewers saw an average of 7.2 eagles each day during the observation period. During 32 viewing days, the high count was 12 and there was one disappointing day when no birds were in view.

 

The Shepaug Dam Bald Eagle Observation Area is open from the last weekend of December through mid-March on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Reservations are required to insure that the area is not overcrowded and may be made by calling (800) 368-8954 from Dec. 4 through March 13, Tuesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, see shepaugeagles.info.

 

SHARON AUDUBON CENTER AVIARY

 

Those who cannot make it to see winter eagles in the wild can find them and other birds of prey at home year round at the Sharon Audubon Center. The center has a busy wildlife rehabilitation center for injured birds and those deemed not able to survive on their own are housed here in large outside, predator-proof aviaries that are filled with natural vegetation and various perching options.  Residents include falcons, kestrels, and many types of owls as well as eagles. Some of them become ambassadors for their species, accompanying Audubon staff to education programs at schools and community events, teaching about the importance of protecting these amazing birds and their natural habitats.

 

The Center’s 684 acres also offer 11 miles of carefully manicured trails and boardwalks throughout pond, swamp, marsh and woodland areas. A natural history museum with an exhibit room, live animals and displays, and children’s adventure room where children can put their sense of touch, sight and hearing to work to explore animal life. Sharon Audubon Center is on Route 4 in Sharon, about 10 miles north. Grounds are open daily but indoor facilities are closed on Monday. For information, phone (860) 364-0520 or see http://sharon.audubon.org.

For more information about eagles, raptors, wildlife and all the attractions of Litchfield County, including a free copy of Unwind, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see and where to stay, shop and dine in all of Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit its website at www.visitwesternct.com.

Tourists fill Caribbean resorts

Apparently attracted by Doomsday — the Maya calendar ends on Friday — a record number of visitors are checking into Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels on the Mexican Caribbean. The Cancun airport reports the number of arrivals is about 10 percent more than this time last year. The Maya used two calendars, the religious one based on a planetary alignment that occurs only every 5,125 years. Maya experts say that Dec. 21 marks not the end of the world, but the beginning of a new baktun, or era.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Holiday feeling at the Broadmoor

The entrance to the Broadmoor in all its holiday glory. (Stan Wawer Photos)

Fountain and poinsettias in front of the Lake Terrace Restaurant.

Christmas lights line the entrance to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, a AAA Five-Diamond resort, which opened in 1918.

Renovations are adding to its already incredible charm. The famous Golden Bee pub is closed for a complete makeover. According to Stephen Bartolin Jr., president and CEO, the Golden Bee will reopen in the spring of 2013.

The resort includes 54 holes of championship golf, six tennis courts, indoor-outdoor pools, distinctive retail shops, excellent restaurants and pubs and a number of other activities.

For more information about the Broadmoor and its renovations go to www.broadmoor.com.

—Stan Wawer

200,000 expected in Yucatan

The baktún or “long count” Maya calendar ends on Friday after 5,125 years. What happens next? Faith, curiosity or fear is expected to attract as many as 200,000 visitors to the many ancient Maya sites in Yucatan and its neighboring states, as well as to Central America. In Mérida a week-long Maya culture festival has been organized. Public security forces also are being strengthened amid concerns about panic or general disturbances.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Tourists like Mexico City

Last year, tourists — one out of five coming from abroad — spent $2.9 billion in Mexico City, according to a just published study. The Alameda — a little park in the park Historic Center — has been reopened after an extensive renovation costing about $20 million. Oldest capital in the New World, Mexico City’s attractions range from pre-Hispanic ruins to the modern-as-tomorrow Santa Fe district. Its museums and restaurants are legendary, accommodations range from luxurious hotels to moderately-priced hostels.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Tourism Minister Announces Reorganization

Tourism Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas has announced a reorganization of her dependency, declaring that it no longer responds to the needs of the industry. She also called for those of the industry to assist in regimenting the new tourism law, which although approved by Congress, has yet to take effect because its regulations still must be published.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Cruise lines abandon Mazatlán

No cruise ships will be putting into Mazatlán this winter, according to Alfonso Gil Diáz, port administrator. Although Gil Diáz gave no reason, Mazatlán is in Sinaloa, home territory for Mexico’s most violent narcotics smugglers. Other commentators noted that Mexico is losing its appeal as a cruise destination, not only because of its reputation for criminal ferocity, but also because potential passengers are being lured away to more exotic destinations in Europe and Asia.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Posadas plans expansion

Posadas de México (Fiesta Americana, Fiesta Inns and One Hotels) has announced plans to open another 25 hotels, most of which will be owned by outside investors but managed by Posadas. The group currently owns, manages or franchises 105 properties, making it Mexico’s largest chain. Financially troubled, Posadas this year sold its holdings in South America.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Airline traffic grows

Mexico’s seven airlines between them have carried 23,167,800 passengers thus far this year. This amounts to an 11 percent growth compared to last year. That although flying can be anywhere from three to 10 times more expensive than traveling by bus.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Passenger rail service questioned

 President Enrique Peña Nieto began his administration proposing that Mexico bring back passenger trains. Specifically, he planned for fast trains to link Mexico City to Toluca and to Queretaro plus service between the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo. It all sounds appealing, but also could be expensive. In other countries, passenger trains are subsidized. Otherwise, tickets would cost too much, no one would buy them and the trains would not be profitable. Currently, the only scheduled daily train service is on the Chihuahua-Pacific line, and most passengers are sightseeing tourists.

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Jimm Budd
Reporting From Mexico City
Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

New Travel Minister Announced

President Enrique Peña Nieto named Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, daughter of a former Guerrero governor and niece of President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, to be his Minister of Tourism. A 40-year-old graduate of the law school at the Universidad Iberaméricana, member of the Chamber of Deputies, the minister has been active in politics and government all her adult life.  She also has lived amid controversy. Another uncle, Raul Salinas de Gortari, was accused of ordering the murder of her father and spent several years in prison. Her uncle Carlos spent several years living in Ireland in self-imposed exile. Now back in Mexico, he is rumored to be an advisor to the new president.

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Jimm Budd
Reporting From Mexico City
Member of the Society of American Travel Writers