Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - On October 2, 2014 the Vallarta Botanical Gardens was presented the "Enterprise of the Year" Award by the prestigious international organization Jardins Sans Limites of Metz, France. The prize was awarded for the great success in the design and construction of the new Vallarta Conservatory of Mexican Orchids.

The Mexican Orchid Conservatory is a space that will house more than 200 species of orchids found in Mexico, and a laboratory for the insemination and reproduction of these flowers. The first orchids are already in place, and the team is working on the distribution of more plants and exhibits and signage for the inauguration, which will take place from December 6 to 13, 2014.

"We extend sincere thanks to the Jardins Sans Limites conference committee for this recognition, and we are thrilled to share this achievement with all of Vallarta and our community of friends. We invite local businesses to include this recognition in their marketing campaigns to attract more visitors, not only to the Garden, but the entire region of Puerto Vallarta. Tourism focused on gardening is one of the most important strategic niche tourism market worldwide, and Botanical Gardens are promoted by their communities as 'gateways to the region," asserted Bob Price, curator and founder of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

The award presentation was attended by representatives of the hotel industry in Puerto Vallarta, with which strategic marketing materials were shared in the areas of tourism and hospitality, most of which can be found by clicking on the links found on this page of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens' website.

According to Alexander Reford, the director of Jardins de Métis in Quebec, Canada, "tourism is the number one industry in the world; gardens tourism is a significant part of it. Dr. Richard Benfield, the author of 'Garden Tourism,' estimated that 120 million tourists visit gardens around the world every year. If events and garden tours are included, the number could reach more than 300 million."