CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest - Year 10 Vol. 1, Issue 185

Vol. 1, No. 175

TEE-OFF PANAMA; The IN LATIN Business Hub of AMERICA’S TOP DESTINATIONS Central America.

Vol. 1, No. 185

DIRECTORY Visionary, Founder and

INDEX

Master Coach: Jose Manuel Garcia, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel President:

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Jose Manuel (Manolo) Garcia CIS, CMS, CCM, CES

4-5

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Puerto Vallarta looking to expand its connectivity

Connectivity from major states in the US to Los Cabos

manolo@ividmc.travel Vice President of Administration Leticia Garcia lgarcia@ividmc.travel Vice President of Marketing: Raquel Mijares, CIS, DMCP rmijares@ividmc.travel

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6-9

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16-17

Cuba’s airports and airlines

Cancun International Airport increasing flight arrivals from major airlines

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Corporate Quality Director: Julia ORTIZ, CES, CMS jortiz@ividmc.travel

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IT Director:

10-11

apech@ividmc.travel Content & Editing:

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Costa Rica growing its internatinal arrivals

Quickhits! Banyan Tree Mayakoba Announces $50 million dollar expansion

Alejandro Pech

14-15

Omar Delgadillo

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20-21

Panama’s renowned airports

corp.news@ividmc.travel

Destination offices

Cover subject: Airports and Airlines bridging the gap of possibilities in Latin America

Follow us on:

Mexico:

Caribbean:

Central America:

IVI DMC² Los Cabos

IVI DMC² Cuba

IVI DMC² Costa Rica

Yazmin ELOSEGUI, DMCP, CIS, CMS

Alejandro DEBASA, CMS

Ligia VARGAS, CIS

Destination Managing Director

Regional Managing Director

Regional Managing Director

yelosegui@ividmc.travel

adebasa@ividmc.travel

lvargas@ividmc.travel

IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta, Riviera

IVI DMC² Dominican Republic

IVI DMC² Panama

Nayarit & Central Mexico

Ramón RIJO, CIS

David JOHNSON, CIS, DMCP

Jaime NELO, DMCP, CMS, CES

Regional Managing Director

Associate Regional Managing

Destination Managing Director

rrijo@ividmc.travel

Director

jnelo@ividmc.travel

djohnson@ividmc.travel

IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Ximena LOPEZ, CMS Marketing & Planning Director cun.planning2@ividmc.travel

© Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT. Dear reader, An important indicator that cultivates a must-visit destination is the number of airlines, not just national but international, as well as the number of airports serviced by each country.

Fortunately, this has been an increasing trend upon Latin America who has foreseen steady growth throughout its magical sanctuaries, as many have turned to these destinations to celebrate their event or incentive trip. We at IVI DMC² are ready to welcome you at any of Latin America’s glorious destinations; we guarantee a leading quality thanks to our constant training and, internationally recognized certifications, and the countless hours served by our human resources and hard-working executives. This accomplishment and enthusiastic attitude are what upholds up our motto, in your business, “We make YOU look GREAT”!

Sincerely,

Jose Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM, CES President IVI DMC² Enterprises

Our Objective: Always aim for 100% overall customer satisfaction.

Our Vision: Associates: Keep the ideal place to work, where our multicultural staff give their best, every day Customers: Offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds expectations Partners: Consolidate our network of honest and successful partners Utilities: Maximize the return of investment to shareholders Planet: Inspire responsible resource management by means of our work

Our Mission: Serve customers through our international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC; ensuring 100% customer satisfaction of incentives, conventions, and special events; providing memorable experiences in each of the destinations in which we operate; maximizing the return of investment to shareholders.

Los Cabos

Connectivity

The Los Cabos International Airpo les north of San Jose del Cabo and cas. Los Cabos has 518 operations Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of the Baja California pe- destinations. ( This operation can ninsula, with 1,000 miles in length to the West of Mexico and right at the tip of the state of Baja California Sur. Los Cabos is met to the East by the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean to the West, and it is International: approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) south of San Diego, California. It has excellent flights currently connected with major cities in UNITED STATES: Dallas, Los Angele the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with more than 250 flights per week. San Francisco, San Jose, Orange Cou Washington, Atlanta, Detroit, New Yo City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Austin, Ba

CANADA: Toronto, Vancouver, E peg, Montreal, Regina, Saskatoo

National:

Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tijuana, León/El Bajío, Los Mochis, Mazatlán

The Los Cabos International Airp frequencies to Culiacan, San Diego Houston, Milwaukee, Toronto, Ot mer) and, Washington DC.

New direct flights from Cabos:

1.- Bajio (Leon ) - Los Cabos Opera Available since November 2018 2.- Milwaukee - Los Cabos Operated Available in 2019 3.- Ottawa - Los Cabos Operated By From december 20 to April 11 4.- Las Vegas - Los Cabos By Frontie Available in 2019 5.- Baltimore - Los Cabos By Southw Available in 2019 6.- London - Starting in 2020 - Date

ort (SJD) is located only 8 mid 23 miles from Cabo San Lus per week, serving around 40 increase from May to Oct )

Baja’s own paradise hub closer than you think How was the hotel occupancy in 2019?

es, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, unty, Denver, Newark, Houston, The Hotel Association of Los Cabos, in the State of Baja CaYork JFK, Minneapolis, Salt Lake lifornia Sur, informed that around 250 thousand toualtimore, Charlotte and Phoenix. rists arrived to the municipality and among this amount, 12 thousand belong to the denominated “ Spring Breakers” Edmonton, Calgary, Winnion, Victoria, and Kelowna. The president of the Association, Paloma Palacios, established that this rate comes from the International Airport of San Jose del Cabo and added that the Hotel occupancy rate of the first trimester of the year is the same as in 2018 of the same period. , Toluca, Monterrey, Culiacán, According to her, there are 18,500 rooms available between all of the n. hotels with an average rate of $350 dollars per night. port (SJD) has new o, Seattle, Baltimore, ttawa (during sum-

m and to Los

ated By Volaris

d By Miami Air.

y Sunwing 2019. er Airlines

west Airlines.

e: TBD Page 5

Bringing travelers closer to uncharted destinations In the first week of August, the governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos JoaquĂ­n held a meeting with executives of US airlines such as United Airlines, American Airlines, Jet Blue and Southwest, the latter reiterated his intention to fly to Cozumel International Airport, starting the first quarter of 2020. It is worth mentioning that in these meetings, American Airlines confirmed that Cancun is one of its main destinations in Mexico and Latin America where they have more than 20 weekly flights.

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Cancun International Airport The recent Tianguis Turistico that took place in Acapulco, turned out successfully for the Cancun and the Riviera Maya, heading 15 new flights to the region. The new flights will come from airlines such as Aeromexico, Evelop, Interjet, Volaris, Viva Aerobus and Gol. The first of which will be Interjet on June 5th, operating the Medellin - Cancun route. Aeroméxico the Quito, Ecuador-Cancun, and Minneapolis-Cancun route.

For the summer, Evelop de Viajes Barceló will operate the Madrid-Cancun route. Viva Aerobus will operate the Hermosillo-Cancun and Tijuana-Cancun routes, as well as offer charter flights from New York, Cincinnati, Raleigh, and Nashville. Airline Gol will fly Brasilia-Cancun directly four times a week and Charlotte, Cincinnati and Memphis, once a week to Cancun.

Beginning A cun-Istanbu Salvador-Ca

Also, due to to Cancun b Internationa January 6, 2

Finally, the half of the y port register Page 8

Eliminating the gap between business & leisure

August, Turkish Airlines will offer the Istanbul-Cancun route, with a Mexico City and Canul layover. Lastly, with no details or a date announced, Volaris informed about a new route El ancun, which will be one of the 14 cities with this new flight.Â

o a high demand, Delta Airlines has announced the addition of a third daily flight from JFK beginning January 2020. The new seasonal flight will leave from New York’s John F. Kennedy al Airport (JFK) to Cancun International Airport (CUN) January through March, beginning 2020, however, passengers wishing to book now can do so.

Cancun International Airport reported 13 million 214 thousand 393 passengers in the first year, which means 2.1% more than in the first six months of 2018. Cozumel International Airred 327 thousand 415 passengers, an increase of 4%, compared to the same period of the year.

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Quick Hits!

Banyan Tree Mayakoba announces $50 million dollar expansion as iconic Riviera Resort celebrates its 10th anniversary Banyan Tree Mayakoba, an all pool-villa resort nestled on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s famed Riviera Maya, today unveiled a substantial expansion and renovation plan that will introduce 40 new keys, including several new room types such as overwater pool villas and beachfront suites, as well as an expanded beach club, new dining options, swimming pools, kids’ programs and more. Last month, the resort opened its new MK Blue event space, all part of a $50M investment as the property celebrates its 10th anniversary and continues to evolve, positioning itself as the premier luxury brand offering in Mexico’s exclusive Mayakoba resort community, debuting in late 2020.

Internationally-renowned Sordo Madaleno Architects are overseeing the expansion project, which draws inspiration from multi-sensorial experiences and fuses the warmth of Mexican hospitality and traditions with the intimacy that is the Banyan Tree standard, creating a comfortable luxury that soaks in the resort’s tropical setting of turquoise sea, meandering waterways, plush lagoons, and mangrove forests.

“It’s an exciting time as we reinvest back into the resort in honor of our 10th year. These enhancements come as a direct result of attending to our guests’ feedback.

We know today’s discerning traveler is looking for highdesign, private villas; innovative dining options serving fresh, local cuisine; and more robust kids’ clubs,” said Banyan Tree Mayakoba General Manager Peter Hechler.

“These new villas will be a bit of a departure from the existing accommodations in terms of design, while still embracing and celebrating our unique natural setting in a new way. We’re proud to evolve and grow while maintaining the same level of luxury service and intimacy that our guests expect.”

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The three new accommodation types, all situated along the ocean and lagoon, include: Lagoon Sunset Pool Villas - The resort’s first overwater villas are gently placed in the crystal-clear lagoon, just steps away from the beach. These two-story villas span 2,385 square feet with an open layout and organically-infused indoor-outdoor atmosphere.

Beachfront Pool Suites - Situated on the sugar sand beaches of Mayakoba and featuring unhindered views of the shimmering sea, these suites span 1,740 to 3,155 square feet and are ideal for both couples and larger family or multi-generational groups.

Beachfront Sunrise Pool Suites - These suites span 1,675 to 2,470 square feet with breathtaking views of the turquoise ocean waters and stunning sunrises.

Sands Beach Club - The new, 43,000-square-foot

Sands Beach Club will encompass two expanded oceanfront pools and an all-day dining oceanfront Mexican restaurant and seafood market with an adjacent chic raw bar, as well as beachfront lounge and library, a larger interactive Rangers Club for kids with a pool, and ocean view massage rooms operated by the Banyan Tree Spa.

MK Blue - Also part of the expansion, the resort debuted MK Blue in June 2019. This all-new 10,358-square-foot indoor-outdoor event space is located near the resort’s main entrance and features unobstructed views of the nearby waterways and tropical forests. The space features 7,885 square feet of indoor function space, as well as a 2,500-square-foot outdoor terrace. MK Blue comfortably seats 550 guests and features state-of-the-art AV and production equipment, along with a premium selection of the best décor suppliers in the area.

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Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta looking to expand its connectivity with new Volaris flights from Querétaro and Phoenix

Volaris, the Mexican airline that operates in Mexico, the United States, and Central America, announced the start of operations of two new routes to Puerto Vallarta: from the City of Querétaro and Phoenix, Arizona, as of June 16th of this year, reported the company in a statement.

Both routes will be operated with an Airbus 320 aircraft fitfor 179 passengers, so these frequencies would provide 10,203 passengers each, only from June to December of this year.

Sun Country Airlines promoting flight route Las Vegas - Puerto Vallarta As of June 7th, Sun Country airline will begin operations of two new weekly flights on the Las Vegas-Puerto Vallarta route, as part of an ambitious expansion plan for its markets, having already found a public that wants to visit this Mexican Pacific region; the flight will be boosted with tourist promotion in the coming weeks in partnership with local hoteliers and travel agents from the state of Nevada.

These landmarks are key destinations for any incentive, group or special event, your team at IVI DMC² is always here to assist.

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Copa Airlines connecting Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit to Panama City for the first time Beginning December 16th, Copa Airlines will open direct flights between Panama City and Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, in Mexico, connecting this destination for the first time with the rest of Latin America. Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit is the 80th destination of the airline in the continent and the fifth in Mexico, adding to Mexico D.F., Guadalajara, Monterrey and Cancun.

The connection between Panama and Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit will have two weekly frequencies on Thursdays and Sundays, promoting investment opportunities for the economic and tourist development of the State of Jalisco.

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Airports and Airlines that operate in Cuba 1 - HABANA José Martí Internacional Airport Habana (HAV)IATA CODE (HAV)ICAO CODE (MUHA) Address- Aeropuerto Internacional “Jose Marti”. Ave Rancho Boyeros Ciudad de la Habana. Cuba Tel: +53 (0)6 497063Fax: +53 (0)6 495723, +53 (0)7 335123, +53 (0)6 335728 Email: aijm@hav.ecasa.avianet.cu Website: www.airportcuba.com/?Action=Airport_JM 2 - VARADERO- Juan G. Gomez International Airport (VRA/MUVR) Matanzas Airport, Cuba, Varadero, Matanzas, CUBA Tel: +53 (0)5 53612/3Fax: +53 (0)5 53612 3 - CAYO LARGO-Vilo Acuña International Airport (CYO/MUCL) Cayo Largo, Cuba, Cayo Largo, CUBA Tel: +53 (0)5 48207Fax: +53 (0)5 48205 4 - CAMAGüEY-Ignacio Agramonte Airport (CMW/MUCM) Camagüey Airport, Cuba, Avenida Finlay Km 8 Camagüey, CUBA Tel: +53 (0)322 61010, +53 (0)322 61020Fax: +53 (0)322 61147, +53 (0)322 261178 Email: handling@solo.aeronet.cu Page 16

5 - HOLGUIN-Frank Pais Int´l Airport (HOG/MUHG) Holguin Airport, Cuba, Holguin, CUBA Tel: +53 (0)24 335487Fax: +53 (0)24 335487 6 - SANTIAGO -Antonio Maceo Airport Tel: +53 (0)226 691014 - Fax: +53 (0)226 91880 , +53 (0)226 686269, +53 (0)226 691741 7 - CIEGO DE AVILA-Maximo Gomez INTERNATIONALl Airport (AVI/MUCA) Tel: +53 (0)33 25738Fax: +53 (0)33 335489 8– SANTA CLARA-Abel Santamaria INTERNATIONALl Airport (SNU/MUSC) Tel: +53 (0)42 214402 9 - CAYO COCO AIRPORT (CU/CCC)Aeropuerto Internacional “Jardines del Rey” Cayo Coco, Ciego de Avila. Cuba.

Tel. (5333) 25303. fax (5333) 301168 10 - Jamie González INTERNATIONAL Airport (CFG/MUCF) Cienfuegos, CUBATel: +53 (0)432 451328 SANTA CLARA Aeropuerto Internacional “Abel Santamaría” Carretera de Melezas Km 10½, Santa Clara. Cuba Tel. (5342) 214402 / 209138 Telefax (5342) 21 4402 AFS: MUSCZTZX TRINIDAD AIRPORT (CU/TND)MANZANILLO, SIERRA MAESTRA AIRPORTLAS TUNAS,LAS TUNAS AIRPORT

Costa Rica Everybody wants to fly to the happiest country in the world and thankfully, many airlines have noticed this trend, that has led to the addition of this perfect piece of land in their routes.

Costa Rica has prepared accordingly and is ready to welcome tourists in their two major, recently renewed airports. Juan Santamaria Airport, just 14 miles from San Jose downtown, which is the second busiest airport in Central America, with over 15 international airlines that serves over 4 million passengers annually and Daniel Oduber International Airport with a smaller capacity and is located in Liberia, the capital of one of the most popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica,, and one of the most preferred location for incentive programs. Also, many destinations in Costa Rica can be reached quickly through domestic flights, which are serviced by 2 smaller airports, Tobias Bolaños International Airport located in Pavas, and San José Limón International Airport, located in the Caribbean.

In addition to this, 38 airstrips have been registered in the national territory, of which 10 are used for domestic flights and the rest are used for light aircrafts used for fumigation of banana, pineapple, and African palm plantations.

International arrivals grew 7.8% in the first two months of the year.

The statistics of international arrivals by air are of great importance for the country and based on these figures the promotion of the destination abroad is planned. For a complete list of international airlines and flights that travel to Costa Rica, you can consult this web page to obtain the itinerary of international flights to Costa Rica according to the airline, updated on July 2019.

Contact our travel specialists to schedule your next corporate or incentive event at this magical landmark, we make YOU look GREAT!

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Panama Air Panama Air Panama is a regional airline based in Albrook “Marcos A. Gelabert� International Airport in Panama, and is currently the second-largest air carrier in the country, surpassed only by Copa Airlines. The carrier offers both scheduled and charter passenger flights to more than 31 destinations in Panama also one in Costa Rica, and three in Colombia.

Further destinations are served on a chartered ondemand basis during the summer traveling season from its hub at Albrook International Airport.

Wingo Is a low-cost airline brand owned by Copa Holdings, S.A., that services flights from Cartagena, Cali, Bogota and Medellin to Panama Pacifico International Airport, and soon Havana (Cuba).

Copa Airlines The largest airline in the country and recently awarded the #1 most on-time destination in the world. In addition to their existing flights, Copa Airlines signed a multi-million dollar contract with Boeing, buying one new plane every month for the next 3 years, which will be used to increase the already existing flight frequencies and to add more flights to their destinations list.

Other Airlines: - AeroMexico - Air Canada - Air China - Air France - American Airlines - American Eagle - Avianca -Delta Airlines - Iberia

- Air Europa - KLM - LOT Polish Airlines - Lufthansa - Spirit Airlines - Turkish Airlines - United Airlines - Emirates: opening soon direct flight from Dubai into Panama City

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Tocumen International Airport Labeled the hub of the Americas, and located in the middle of our continent, Tocumen Airport is the largest airport in Central America which is currently about to inaugurate its new terminal and will be doubling the number of daily flights coming in.

Tocumen International Airport is the best-connected airport in Latin America and has the highest number of international direct flights, with more than 132,000 a year, connecting all the major cities and capitals of the continent and reaching key destinations in Europe, such as Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands, through direct flights with Lufthansa, Iberia, KLM, Air France and Air Europa. It is also the first airport in Central America with direct flights to Asia flying straight to Beijing with Air China, to Istanbul through Turkish Airlines and soon to open the longest flight in the world with a direct flight from Dubai to Panama City operated by Emirates.

Panama Pacifico International Airport (Howard ) This commercial airport is located on the site of the former Howard Air Force Base, a United States Air Force base that was based in the Panama Canal Zone. Panama City can be reached by crossing the nearby Bridge of the Americas. This airport receives larger jet aircraft from Wingo Airlines among other private planes.

Marcos Gelabert International Airport (Albrook Airport) This public airport is located 1.5 kilometers west of the center of Panama City, Panama. It is on the site of the former Albrook Air Force Station (USA). Air Panama offers daily flights to many cities in Panama from Albrook Airport. Its corporate headquarters are located on the airport property.

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Serving the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry since 1986.

Find us in over 31 destinations throughout: • Mexico • Cuba • Dominican Republic • Costa Rica & • Panama

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CONTACT:

Dear reader!

Thanks for reading Communiquest Incentive Travel Digest I hope you find in this newsletter a useful tool that will help you make decisions for your successful business.We would be delighted to know if there anything else you’d like to see or experience in this monthly newsletter. Your suggestions are more than welcome.

We wish you the best in your endeavors and business adventures, and please, don’t forget, working with us “Will make YOU look GREAT”.

IVI DMC² Corporate office: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email:ivicorp@ividmc. travel

Sincerely,

For further information on the finest hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this travel digest, please contact:

José-Manuel GARCÍA, CDS Visionary, Founder and Master Coach

Raquel MIJARES rmijares@ividmc.travel

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© Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.

OUR STATE-OF-THE ART CREED (A company with a soul) We promise you to be those people neatly dressed in white and turquoise blue uniforms, many people call us “The Smurfs”, we perform as an extension of your own business.

We are knowledgeable, witty, fun to have around, and beautiful or handsome (not necessarily in that order).

We can run faster than “Speedy Gonzalez”, we can be in two or three different places at once, we are also commited to do everything in a legal and personalized way for our clients.

You can find us popping up at airports, historical and archaeological sites, deluxe resorts, charming hotels, golf courses, scenic beaches, and even at the best restaurants in town.

We enjoy “Smurf Team-work” because it’s fun and having fun doing our job is our passion.

We can do the impossible right away – miracles may take a little bit longer.”

Ever since 1986 we’ve been working passionately with the sole mission to Make YOU look GREAT!

CORPORATE OFFICE José Manuel (Manolo) GARCÍA, CIS, CMS, CCM, CES President of IVI DMC² Enterprises manolo@ividmc.travel Av. Acanceh 1-01 Sm. 15 Cancún, Quintana Roo 77505 México Tel. +52 (998) 2871700

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