New York, New York - On October 30th, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board's Executive Director, Guillermo Ohem, participated in a Conde Nast Traveler focus group with a delegation of leading US travel companies in New York.

The session, which was hosted and monitored by the magazine's Director, John Hillock, aimed to gain insight to the state of US outbound tourism to Mexico in general, and to Puerto Vallarta specifically. The group also focused on providing ideas for reaffirming the destination and creating opportunities to increase visitors to the Banderas Bay region.

During the presentation, the US travel leaders commented on the It factor that Puerto Vallarta has had and the momentum being gained with the new direct flight from New York and its tri-state area, which has the highest concentration of passport holders in the United States.

It was suggested that Vallarta should focus its promotional efforts in a way that educates consumers and the media on the cultural aspects of the destination, including its architecture, festivals, gastronomy, and above all, boutique hotels that can offer luxury in addition to secluded hospitality. This, in an effort to highlight the difference between Puerto Vallarta and other Mexico destinations.

The wholesalers and tour operators in attendance communicated the need to educate the trade industry in the offerings of destination through trainings sessions, site inspections, and electronic distribution of promotional material, specially for new and unique tours and activities, villas, day trips, etc.

Ohem plugged Vallarta's diversity in lodging options as well as its historic center and latest renovations. The city's wide variety of restaurants and its interest in families and honeymooners were also well received by the participants, who said they would be interested in including more resort properties in their packages provided that these visits included unique cultural components.

Attending the breakfast, which took place at the Conde Nast building on New York's Times Square, were Valerie Wilson Travel, Bear & Bear Travel, ProTravel Inc, Tzell Travel, Altour Travel, The Atelier Group, and the executives from Puerto Vallarta's New York-based PR agency, Latitude International.