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Vallarta Airport Timeshare Booth Stirs Controversy Folks arriving at Vallarta’s airport in recent weeks have had to endure an innovative but poorly executed welcome: a time-share promotional booth. Conceived to help promote a group of timeshare operations, the booth was poorly designed, impeding arriving tourist traffic and affecting security of all using the airport facilities. Numerous complaints about the module have been registered. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, the agency responsible for the management of the airport has decided that the module must be relocated within 30 days to a different area, away from the customs exit.

Vallarta Promotion Takes Place in Seattle Puerto Vallarta’s Conventions and Visitors Bureau (OCV) representatives recently participated in “Jalisco Week,” a special promotional fair that took place in Seattle, Wash., informed Laura Suárez Ramírez, head of international promotions. Several entities from the state of Jalisco participated – including economy, art, education, health and tourism – in an attempt to showcase the best our state has to offer. Among other achievements, it was announced that Alaska Airlines would begin offering a direct flight from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta. OCV will also participate in similar events in Denver, San Francisco and San José.

New Flights to Vallarta Scheduled Allegro Airlines recently announced new flights that will connect Puerto Vallarta with Guadalajara and León, increasing the options available for tourism from those cities. The new routes will become available September 12. Allegro provides daily scheduled flights between 10 destinations in Mexico and the United States. In addition, Allegro operates an extensive charter business that transports thousands of customers each month to beautiful resort locations on Mexico's Pacific and Caribbean coasts. For more information visit www.allegroair.net.

Vallarta Begins Preparations for Independence Day Festivities Mexico’s independence day, celebrated September 16, is perhaps the country’s most important festivity. As the date approaches, local authorities are organizing different events around the city to commemorate the important date. The existing budget will be distributed among different Vallarta neighborhoods and will be used both to decorate public areas around the city and to sponsor events for Vallartenses and visitors alike to enjoy.

Week of August 23, 2003

Airlines Prepare for Changing Seasons Travel trend shifts among national and international tourists mean that airlines servicing Puerto Vallarta must adjust their schedules accordingly. And while September and October are traditionally the slowest travel months, they may be the best time to purchase tickets, Gabriel García Olvera, manager for Mexicana Airlines explained recently. While the airline registered 90% occupancy this week, a drastic decrease in passenger numbers is expected during the next two months. To compensate, Mexicana will offer "outlet" promotions during which special airfare discounts will be available through December 20. In related news, Air Canada will begin their high season flights in November with four flights per week arriving from Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Alaska Airlines will double their number of flights from November to May, with a total of six daily arrivals.

Vallarta's Port Authority Purchases Adjacent Shipyard The seven acres of land occupied by Pacífico Shipyard, directly across from Wal-Mart, were recently purchased by Vallarta's Port Authority (API Vallarta), announced API Vallarta director Francisco Martínez Narváez. The purchase will allow further expansion of the maritime terminal, already working at increasing the size of their docks to accommodate larger vessels. At present time, API Vallarta operates two docks capable of accommodating vessels of up to 110 thousand tons and 70 tons, respectively.

Galería Flores and The Coffee Cup Merge and Reopen Fernando Flores and Doug Cullen, owners of Marina Vallarta’s Galería Flores and The Coffee Cup at Olas Altas respectively, have merged their businesses into a smooth blend – no pun intended – of coffee, food and art. In a new incarnation, Galería Flores, which has undergone extensive renovation, will reopen this week as an art gallery with a coffee shop. Or is it a coffee shop with art-decked walls? Either way, Marina Vallarta residents and visitors alike can now enjoy a new air-conditioned venue featuring excellent coffee, sandwiches and smoothies, along with art exhibitions by the gallery’s artist roster. The Coffee Cup’s South Side location was favorably reviewed in “Vallarta Voice” this past season for its outstanding espresso – the franchise remains under different ownership.

Vallarta's Main Road Expansion Progresses The paving of Francisco Medina Ascencio Boulevard's northbound side road is nearing completion. Medina Ascencio, a four-lane road that connects Vallarta with all points north of the city, was built a decade ago. The side road, originally covered with cobblestone, is easily damaged during the rainy season with potholes large enough to challenge most if not all vehicles. When the project is finished, all public transportation traffic will be diverted to the side road, making traffic flow more smoothly, particularly during rush hour.

Week of August 15, 2003

Tour Guides Certified for Whale Watching Every year more than 400 humpback whales pass through Banderas Bay as part of their migration pattern. In an effort to provide visitors with a more ecologically meaningful experience, the Secretary of Tourism recently offered certification training courses in whale watching. Of the 70 tour operators with boat permits in Puerto Vallarta, 24 participated and are now officially certified to conduct such tours. Whale watching has been increasingly gaining popularity over the past 10 years, with over nine million participants worldwide.

Café des Artistes Remodeling Progresses Puerto Vallarta’s low season is a period of low activity for many, but not for Café des Artistes chef/owner Thierry Blouet. Recognized as one of the top chefs worldwide, Blouet is supervising the remodeling of Café des Artistes, which will evolve intro three unique concepts: Café des Artistes Bistro Gourmet, Thierry Blouet Signature Menu and a new lounge bar called Costantini, featuring newly commissioned works by Vallarta resident and visual artist Michael Costantini. The remodeling is being done in stages to allow uninterrupted service and slated for completion by mid October.

Make-A-Wish Foundation Mexico Expands Make-A-Wish Foundation, a non-profit whose goal is to grant terminally ill children their most cherished wish, has opened a new chapter in the state of San Luis Potosí. Its first official wish, granted last week, involved Victor Gerardo, an 8-year-old boy with an enlarged heart. In a touching ceremony, Victor Gerardo was made an official honorary member of the Federal Highway Police, or Procuradoría Feredal de Caminos. The great day began when he received an official uniform in his size: hat, badge and credentials. Immediately after commencement, he received a medal and was ready to assume his responsibilites as an officer. For more information, please contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Puerto Vallarta at 221-6212, or visit www.makeawishmexico.org.

The Hunter Now the Hunted Duane "Dog" Chapman is now a wanted man in Mexico. Authorities in Puerto Vallarta issued this week an APB for Chapman and his two sons in violation of their bail. Mexican authorities had detained them for two weeks because bounty hunting is illegal under Mexican law. Chapman said he left Mexico thinking he was not required to remain in the country and that it was sufficient for his lawyers to stay in touch with Mexican officials. The bail, however, required them to sign in at court in Puerto Vallarta every week. Chapman, who calls himself the greatest bounty hunter in the world, was seeking $320,000 from a California court for Luster's capture. However, his request was denied.

Week of August 08, 2003

AeroMexico Upgrades Airplanes Boeing and AeroMexico recently announced contracts that will provide Mexico's largest airline 15 Boeing 737-700s, which will operate on the Vallarta-Mexico City and Vallarta-Tijuana routes. The new airplanes feature unique winglets – 8-foot-high wingtip extensions – that reduce fuel consumption up to 3.5%, increase range up to 450 nautical miles from hot, high-altitude airports such as Mexico City, and reduce engine maintenance costs. The winglets also help operators such as AeroMexico meet stringent low-noise regulations by reducing takeoff noise. The Boeing 737, a short-to medium-range airplane, is the best-selling single-aisle airplane in the world. It also has the highest reliability of any airplane in its class, which means fewer delays and greater satisfaction for passengers.

Puerto Vallarta Invests in Ad Campaign In an all-encompassing effort to increase the popularity of Vallarta as a vacation destination among national and international tourists, two advertising campaigns worth $16 million pesos will be launched, one this week and one in September, announced Tourism Board director Miguel González. The first campaign, focusing on national tourism, includes 6,000 30-second TV spots, 6,000 radio spots, as well as 45 billboards strategically placed in cities that have favored Puerto Vallarta as a destination in the past, such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Querétaro and Monterrey, among others. The TV spots will be featured in both national and cable networks. The second campaign, targeting US and Canada tourism, will appear in publications, radio and Internet.

Café des Artistes Organizes Fundraiser Café des Artistes chef/owner Thierry Blouet will co-host – with the cuisine team of Carlos Nieto and Ramiro Velazquez – a benefit dinner in Highland Park, Illinois, to benefit Vallarta’s Fundación Arturo y los Hijos de Dios, A.C. The event, which will take place October 3, 2003, will feature a seamless blend of Mexican and French masterpieces created by chefs Blouet and Nieto, of Carlos’ Restaurant in Highland Park. The Fundación Arturo y los Hijos de Dios, A.C. benefits underprivileged and impoverished families in distressed situations by providing resources and financial support raised by members of the foundation. Tickets for this dinner can be purchased for $100 USD per guest and can be arranged through Carol Wolfe at (847) 432-6897. For more information on the Fundación Arturo y los Hijos de Dios, A.C. please contact Juan Carlos Balderas via email at artistes@pvnet.com.mx.

Bounty Hunter Will Receive No Money Bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman was one of several parties hoping to collect some bail money from convicted rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster at this week’s court hearing in Ventura, Calif., but just about everyone came away disappointed, including Chapman. Not pleased with the ruling in the Ventura County courtroom, Chapman bolted out of court after the judge ruled the professional bounty hunter illegally apprehended Luster and was not entitled to any of the $1 million. "I can't condone ‘vigilante’ justice from the law," Judge Edward Brodie said. The judge also ruled the bail money belonged to the convicted Max Factor heir and not his mother, Elizabeth, which opened the door for others to lay claim to the funds. Luster is now serving a life sentence in state prison after Chapman tracked down and captured him in Puerto Vallarta in June. Chapman, who calls himself the greatest bounty hunter in the world, was seeking $320,000 in compensation and expenses after being arrested for efforts in Mexico.

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