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 Travel & Outdoors | May 2007 
What’s New in Cancun
 Business Wire
| Cancun is situated on the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, uniquely bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the tranquil Nichupte Lagoon.
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Cancun, Mexico - News of Cancun’s latest summer happenings is released today as the top international travel destination readies for its hottest season to-date. Topping the list are details of upscale renovations, new additions and expansions, sacred cultural journeys, effects of passport regulations, family-friendly beach events, film festivals and athletic competitions:
New and Remodeled Hotels Ready for Summer
As Cancun continues its ongoing efforts to further strengthen its positioning as the Mayan Gold Coast, the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announces eight new and recently reopened hotels that are ready for the upcoming summer season: Avalon Grand Cancun, Cancun Palace Resort, Elan Resort and Spa, Great Parnassus Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Cancun, ME by Melia, the ROYAL in Cancun and Sun Palace Resort.
To travelers, this translates to an additional 2,632 new and upscale hotel rooms, bringing the grand total of rooms in Cancun to over 28,000.
New International Airport Terminal
The second-largest in Mexico, the Cancun International Airport has now completed a new third terminal in order to better serve its millions of international visitors. This US$100 million investment will double the capacity of international passengers, providing over 136,000 square feet of newly available space, 84 check-in counters, a platform equipped with 11 gates, and state-of-the-art security equipment featuring the first CT scanning system in Mexico. For more information, visit www.asur.com.mx.
Passport Requirements Not Deterring Visitors
Cancun has received a significant increase in visitors this year, which eases initial concerns that strict passport regulations launched in January would deter U.S. visitors from traveling to Mexico. As a part of the new program, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, U.S. and Canadian travelers are required to use a valid passport when visiting Mexico and many other destinations.
“The Mexico Tourism Board has also reported that American travel to the country of Mexico is up 15 percent this quarter,” comments Arturo Escaip Manzur, CEO of the Cancun CVB. “It’s wonderful to see and share data that proves the tremendous impact that Cancun and Mexico have on international travel. The unrivaled levels of hospitality and service found in Cancun are what keep our loyal visitors coming back for more.”
La Travesia Sagrada – The Mayans’ Sacred Journey
Today, in a centuries-old tradition, spectators from around the world will have the opportunity to view and follow a spiritual journey along the renowned shores of the Mexican Caribbean to visit the ancient Mayan goddess, Ix Chel. Residents of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo will participate in the voyage for the first time in almost 500 years, rowing for nearly 18 miles in wooden canoes from the coastal Xcaret eco-park to the island of Cozumel, then to Playa del Carmen.
Set to take place both June 1 and 2, the ritual will allow participants and spectators to pay homage to the ocean, the cosmos, and to Ancient Mayan culture while traveling to the state’s best coastal destinations.
Cancun Beach Party
Family-friendly and full of excitement, this year will mark the second-annual Cancun Beach Party – a three-day long festival that brings together visitors of all ages and interest from around the world. Guests will join together on eight miles of Cancun’s world-renowned coast from August 10 through 12. Activities will include a sand sculpture contest, fireworks extravaganza, a kite festival, art exhibits, a sailing regatta, a food festival, aquatic demonstrations and beach parties throughout the entire Hotel Zone. For more information, please visit www.arpcancun.com.
Cancun International Film Festival
Emerging filmmaking talents from Mexico and Latin America will be featured in this November’s inaugural Cancun International Film Festival, the “Film Festival for the Americas.” For five days, the Festival will pay tribute to discovering and developing Latin America’s aspiring screenwriters, filmmakers and actors, including a program of showcases, tributes, awards, forums, and panel discussions.
The event is open in Cancun to a worldwide audience of cinema fans, film professionals and journalists from November 14 through 18, 2007. For more information visit www.cancuninternationalfilmfestival.com.
Ironman Comes to Cancun
One hundred of the world’s top athletes will compete in Cancun this year in what has been deemed by the Ironman organization as “the most beautiful half-marathon in the world.” The Ironman Cancun 70.3 is a preliminary event for the final World Championship and will feature a triathlon map that includes laps around the Cancun-blue Mexican Caribbean waters, a bike path along the route of the Ancient Mayans, and a running course along the city’s main Kukulcan Boulevard.
Event supporters can cheer for contestants as they compete on Sunday, September 23, starting from the Ironman host hotel, the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun. For more information visit www.ironmancancun.com.
About Cancun – www.cancun.info
Cancun is situated on the northeastern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, uniquely bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the tranquil Nichupte Lagoon. The destination is renowned for its 16-mile stretch of white sandy beaches, world-class hotels, exceptional recreation features and proximity to historic Mayan archeological sites. Visitors to Cancun can enjoy the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world and action-packed participatory sports activities that capitalize on Cancun’s exceptionally clear, blue waters. |
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