CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest - Year 11 Vol. 1, 204

Vol. 1, No. 204

DIRECTORY

INDEX

Visionary, Founder and Seller of Dreams: Jose Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel

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President: Jose Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA

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Flying Along with the I-Bee Squad - Steadily welcoming partners and nurturing relationships

CIS, CMS, CCM, CES manolo@ividmc.travel Vice President of

Mandatory entry requirements and gradual recovery in Costa Rica

Marketing: Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP, CITP

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rmijares@ividmc.travel

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N ew d i rect f ligh t s t o Lo s C abos

Corporate Business Director:

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IATA's digital passport proposal plus new airline in Colombia

Mariana LEON, CMS, CITP corp.business@ividmc.travel

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Corporate Quality Director: Julia ORTIZ, CES, CMS

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New flight routes plus 0.8-mile long tunnel in Riviera Nayarit

jortiz@ividmc.travel IT Manager: Javier HERNANDEZ informatica@ividmc.travel

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Content & Editing:

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New Sanitation Protocols at Cancun International Airport

Omar DELGADILLO corp.news@ividmc.travel

Destination offices

Cover subject: Take to the sky - What's new in LATAM's Airports and Connectivity Follow us on:

Mexico:

Caribbean:

Central America:

South America:

IVI DMC Los Cabos

IVI DMC Cuba

IVI DMC Costa Rica

IVI DMC Colombia

Yazmin ELOSEGUI, DMCP, CIS,

Alejandro DEBASA, CMS

Jeremy ZUÑIGA

Alexandra MONTAÑEZ

CMS, CITP

Regional Managing Director

Regional Managing Director

Regional Managing Director

Destination Managing Director

adebasa@ividmc.travel

jzuniga@ividmc.travel

amontanez@ividmc.travel

IVI DMC Dominican Republic

IVI DMC Panama

yelosegui@ividmc.travel IVI DMC Puerto Vallarta & Riviera

Bidia BISSUMBHAR, CIS, CES, CMM Malek ALMAINI

Nayarit

Regional Managing Director

Destination Manager

Jaime NELO, DMCP, CMS, CES

bidia@ividmc.travel

malek@ividmc.travel

Destination Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.travel IVI DMC Cancun & Riviera Maya Ximena LOPEZ, CMS Marketing & Planning Director cun.planning2@ividmc.travel

© Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved.

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT. Dear reader, As we gradually begin to open our doors, an important indicator that promotes this development is the number of airlines servicing each destination, not just national but international.

Fortunately, this has been increasing as time progresses, as many have turned to Latin America as their ideal destination to forgo the crowded cities and enjoy a long-awaited vacation in the outdoors. We at IVI DMC are ready to welcome you to any of Latin America’s glorious destinations; we guarantee a leading quality and sanitary protocols thanks to our constant training, internationally recognized certifications, and the countless hours served by our human resources and hard-working executives. This accomplishment and enthusiastic attitude are what upholds our motto, in your business, “We make YOU look GREAT”!

Sincerely,

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

COMPANY PROFILE •

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After more than 34 years, iVi DMC is no longer just another DMC, we are more than that, today thank GOD and the teamwork of partners, associates, and advisors we are a true holding company such as: IVI CORPORATE. I.- IVI DMC, since 1986.

Website: www.ividmc.travel Serving only incentive houses, event companies, site selection companies and specialized travel agencies, or only 40% of the universe of the travel industry.

Direct corporate business is prohibited for us.

Co-ownership in a franchise model network in 6 LATAM countries throughout Mexico - Cuba - Dominican Republic - Costa Rica - Panama - Colombia with the same top standards of quality as a “Coca Cola in the middle of the desert.”

II.- DQuest DMO, since 2000.

Website: www.DQuest.travel Multi Destination CVB - First private DMO in LATAM. Site Selection Company.

Social Media (facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, etc.

Public Relations.

III.- Amigos of the Planet Foundation, since 2000.

Website: www.amigosoftheplanet.org Three main objectives. a) Health. b) Education. c) Environment.

Welcome to Flying Along with the I-Bee Squad! The section of CommuniQuest Travelers guide where we talk about everything we’ve been doing during the month. The first month of 2021 has gone by, and we’re glad to see how this year is developing. We’ve been working hard, and our efforts from the past year are paying off!

Flying along with the I-Bee Squad

During the month, we had the pleasure of welcoming our dear friend and client Stephanie Odohofre, Regional Director at Rovia. We hope you enjoyed your weekend!

We also had our first visit to our hotel partners in Cancun. It was great to finally see our allies in person and share the positive trends in our market. We wish you all the best for 2021!

Thanks for allowing us to make YOU look GREAT during all these years. The best is yet to come!

We enjoyed visiting our hotel partners in the astonishing Mexican Caribbean. We hope you enjoy our token of appreciation, and we wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2021! We look forward to working together again.

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Later in the month, we had an online meeting with Lucero Guerrero Brambila, Francisco Manuel Cerro Quiroz, Carlos Eguiarte, & Marc Murphy, where we learned a lot about Riviera Nayarit. Compliments to your amazing team, you’ve done a great job promoting Riviera Nayarit, and we can’t wait to meet up in person at this wonderful destination. We’re looking forward to starting working on the joint strategies that we discussed!

Finally, IVI DMC Enterprises, in collaboration with Paradisus Playa del Carmen, supported the SITE Hybrid Global Conference 2021. Together we gave away a round trip airport transfer, one excursion for two guests, and two nights at the beautiful Paradisus Playa del Carmen! Congratulations to Jennifer Veselko for winning this amazing award. We look forward to meeting you in person at our beautiful Mexican Caribbean.

And that was it for this section of “Flying Along with the I-Bee Squad”! Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more.

Los Cabos

Los Cabos International Airport Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is located in San Jose del Cabo, just 8 miles north of San Jose del Cabo and 29 miles (48 km) north of Cabo San Lucas. It is the sixth-busiest airport in Mexico, and has been recognized as one of the best 25 airports in the world.

It offers excellent facilities, with an investment of more than 30 million dollars for extensions and improvements.

It features 3 Terminals, T1 Domestic, T2 International, and FBO -with 550 weekly arrivals and departures, serving around 40 destinations. Including direct flights to the main cities of the US, Canada, and Mexico.

There are also nonstop flights or convenient connections to Los Cabos available from many cities in the U.S. including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/ Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Newark, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. From California, there are flights and connections available from Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. From Canada, there are flights available from Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

This airport receives more than 200 flights each week. At press time, the following airlines offered flights to Los Cabos: Aeroméxico, Air Canada, AirTran, AirTransat, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, Delta, Frontier, Interjet, Spirit, Sun Country, Sunwing, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin America, VivaAerobus, Volaris, and WestJet.

New Direct Flights to Los Cabos: BAJIO TO LOS CABOS The airline Volaris announced a total of six new destinations departing from the Guanajuato International Airport (AIG), one of which is Los Cabos.

The Bajío-Los Cabos route became available on November 19 with a frequency of Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, leaving the AIG at 11:35 a.m. and arriving at 12:56 p.m., while the departure from Los Cabos will take place at 12:51 hours arriving in Guanajuato territory at 12:59 hours.

The airline announced that tickets will go on sale starting November 15 at www.volaris.mx

MILWAUKEE TO LOS CABOS Milwaukee is a city known for its cold beers and beautiful lake views. However, sometimes you need to take a break from the snow. Don't you think? Our research suggests that beer tastes best on the beach while you soak up the sun, so now Milwaukee residents will be closer to Los Cabos than ever.

By January, travelers were able to book a direct flight to the tourist destination that is causing a sensation among the traveling community.

Thanks to its exuberant nature, amazing cliffs, remarkable flora and fauna, ideal climate all year round, crystal clear waters, and incomparable landscapes, Los Cabos offers a unique vacation.

More information: http://www.applevacations.com/f light-schedule/mke-milwaukee/

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BALTIMORE TO LOS CABOS Breaking News for the Citizens of Baltimore! Southwest Airlines has announced the start of its spring 2019 schedule with the addition of a new international route from Baltimore to Los Cabos. Flights are now available at www.southwest.com

LAS VEGAS TO LOS CABOS Frontier Airlines announced the launch of a new low-fare flight from Las Vegas to San Jose del Cabo.

After a dizzying trip through the city of sin, why not fly to Los Cabos? Appreciate the natural beauties that the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula has to offer. It is only fair that you pamper your body and give it a well-deserved rest.

The sophisticated hotel offerings are in place to surpass the needs of every traveler. We anticipate that the landscapes that you will find have no comparison.

What happens in Las Vegas is exceeded in Los Cabos!

Visit: https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-airlines-adds-six-new-routes-and-100thcity-to-network-with-harlingen-texas-flights/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=100th + City Page 9

Puerto Vallarta international airport Connectivity to Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit shows a constant increase. As this note was issued, sixteen Airlines are currently operating at the International Airport that serves this Double Destination. The second half of December 2020 experienced an increase of 42% over the first half of that same month, according to the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP).

The new air routes connect Puerto Vallarta with Mexican cities such as Tijuana, San Jose del Cabo, and Monterrey. They make it easier for Mexican tourists and global travelers to explore more of this diverse destination with Aeroméxico, Volaris, and other Mexican airlines. The list of new air routes also connects this coastal city with others in the US. New American Airlines routes that fly from Phoenix, Dallas, and Los Angeles; new Alaska Airlines flight routes connect through San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

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Delta Airlines also has new air routes through Los Angeles, and United Airlines flies between Puerto Vallarta and Houston, San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

New routes for American Airlines, United, Delta, and Alaska are expected to continue to grow through 2021.

Furthermore, Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua, John F. Kennedy, Sacramento, Saint Louis, Milwaukee, Merida, Boston, San Jose California, Indianapolis, Washington, Boise, Reno, and La Guardia. Puerto Vallarta intends to restart its operations to Phoenix, Arizona, and Houston, Texas, routes that will be operated by Southwest Airlines. Also, the route to Calgary, Alberta, will be resumed by Westjet.

While the airline Swoop will restart its operations from Edmonton. All of them, during the month of October.

Sunshine State of Mind

The Panamanian airline Copa Airlines will be returning to Puerto Vallarta during the first quarter of 2021. The Denver - Puerto Vallarta route will begin on February 11 with two flights a week, Canadian airlines such as Sunwing, Air Transat, Air Canada are expected to return in the fall, and TUI UK is expected to resume flights at the end of the year.

Delta Airlines also has new air routes through Los Angeles, and United Airlines flies within Puerto Vallarta, Houston, San Francisco, Denver, Los Angeles, and Chicago. New routes forAmericanAirlines,United,Delta,andAlaska are expected to continue to grow through 2021.

It is worth mentioning that the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico contemplates an investment for the next five years of more than 4 billion pesos towards the Puerto Vallarta airport and a second terminal building, which will be the first self-sustaining in all of Mexico.

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Now it will be easier to arrange group programs in this wondrous destination!

Additionally, a 0.8 mile-long tunnel is being constructed to avoid any damage to the local jaguar habitat. This is a step in the right direction regarding Mother Nature.

Mexican Caribbean

Airports and Airlines According to the results of the survey program administered by the Airports Council International (ACI), in 2009 Cancun Airport was rated by passengers as the airport that provides the best service in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Mexican Caribbean shows a rapid increase in the arrival of flights to the airports of Quintana Roo. In fact, some new routes have already started operating in the first days of December 2020.

Cancun International Airport managed to reestablish air connection with the main national and international destinations during the process of economic reactivation months after the confinement due to the pandemic.

Among the destinations with regular flights to Cancun are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Bogota, Boston, Camagüey, Charlotte, Chicago, DallasPage 12

Denver, Detroit, Philadelphia, Frankfurt, Guatemala, Holguin, Houston, Havana, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Panama, Paris, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, along with domestic flights such as CDMX, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, León, Toluca, among others.

Despite the pandemic, the United States continues to be the main international market for the Mexican Caribbean. With 1.2 million tourists, almost half of the 2.5 million foreign tourists that arrived between January and October of this year coming from the US. Air connectivity in the Mexican Caribbean also resumes with Europe. British Airways recently landed at Cancun International Airport, coming from London-Gatwick, with three weekly frequencies. Also Lufthansa Frankfurt, Zurich with Edelweiss, and Air France from Paris that started in October.

National connectivity also continues to rise, recently Volaris inaugurated its new flight to Cancun from the City of Oaxaca, with three flights a week.

And South America is not far behind. On December 27, 2020, the Sky Airline airline began to operate in Mexico. It will service flights to Cancun International Airport, from Lima, Peru.

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The airlines that fly and operate to and from the Cancun Airport airport are: Terminal 2 Aeromexico Aerolineas Argentinas Air Transat AirTran Airways Alaska Airlines Belair Airlines Copa Airlines Cubana de Aviación Dynamic Airways First Choice Airways Interjet Jetair Lan Chile SkyService Airlines Southwest Airlines SunWing Airlines Varig Volaris

Terminal 3 Air Berlin Air Canada Air Europa American Airlines British Airways Condor Continental Airlines Delta Airlines Frontier Airlines Iberia Iberworld JetBlue Airways Spirit Airlines Sun Country Airlines Thomas Cook Thomson Fly United Airlines USA 3000 WestJet

Terminal 4 Lufthansa Thomas Cook Air France WestJet Sun Country Airlines Interjet Frontier Airlines Virgin Atlantic Air Transat Air Europa AeroMexico Southwest Condor

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New Sanitation Protocols at Cancun International Airport Mexico is completely open to tourism, with no mandatory 14-day quarantine for any nationality entering the country. It is respecting the health security protocols, such as healthy distance and mandatory masks, and invites visitors to respect the sanitary measures during their visit to the Mexican Caribbean.

1. Healthy Distance - Signs have been placed on the floor that indicates the recommended distance, including elevators, restrooms, counter area, boarding rooms, boarding corridors, and security filters. Intermediate seats in airport waiting rooms have been blocked.

Cancun Airport has implemented strict security measures for all travelers.

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2. Hand Sanitizer Dispensers - Hand sanitizer dispensers were placed in the entrances and exits of the airport, near the escalators and elevators, waiting rooms, and restrooms 3. Employee mitigation measures - Airport staff must go through temperature controls on a daily basis and wear face masks, face shields, gloves, and personal antibacterial gel.

4. Cleaning and disinfection - Includes constant cleaning and disinfection of public areas. Sanitize transport units with constant and personal sanitation to carry out this work thoroughly every night.

5. Travel Risk Factor Questionnaire - The application of a questionnaire for the identification of risk factors in travelers was established, on paper and electronically.

All passengers, either upon arrival or departure, must fill out the questionnaire.

6. Temperature sensors - Temperature checkpoints were installed in passenger arrivals and departures with state-of-the-art technology.} These are just some of the health and safety protocols implemented by the Cancun airport. And with which our destination is prepared and ready to receive visitors from all over the world who will be received with the well known Mexican hospitality.

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Costa Rica Spread your wings and fly Costa Rica offers easy access from the most important cities in North America and Europe. It has two international airports the Juan Santamaria airport in the Central Valley (SJO) and the Daniel Oduber Quirós airport in Guanacaste (LIR) - and is just a one-hour flight from the biggest hub in the Americas. Eighteen airlines offer more than 400 weekly flights to and from the country.

Since Nov. 1, Costa Rica has allowed all countries in the world to enter by air, as long as they meet the country’s visa and COVID-19 entry requirements.

The Government of the Republic has facilitated the entry of international tourists, and since Oct. 26, eliminated the requirement of RT-PCR tests for the detection of the coronavirus. Neither Costa Ricans nor foreigners will be issued sanitary confinement (or quarantine) orders when entering the country by air. These measures are subject to change and dependent on the evolution of the pandemic both in Costa Rica and around the world.

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Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in cases of pandemic disease COVID 19 in Costa Rica, for at least US $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars of the United States of America).

A minimum coverage of US $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to pandemic illness or trip interruption/cancellation due to illness, which covers the extra cost of the passenger due to quarantine.

Entry requirements for the country during COVID-19 Complete the digital form called HEALTH PASS available at https://salud.go.cr This pass will be available 48 hours before boarding. It is accessible on any browser except for Internet Explorer. An individual form must be completed for every person, including minors.

It is mandatory that tourists purchase travel insurance, covering their accommodations in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 illness.

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If you do not have international insurance, it is possible to opt for travel insurance from Costa Rican companies approved by SUGESE (General Superintendency of Insurance of Costa Rica), which offer their services at Juan Santamaría international airports (city of San José) and Daniel Oduber Quirós (city of Liberia).

National insurances meet all the requirements to have coverage of medical expenses for illness, including COVID-19, for a minimum amount of $20,000 and coverage for extended lodging expenses or quarantine, due to pandemic illness, for a minimum amount of $2,000.

Foreigners with temporary or permanent residence or temporary category who return to Costa Rica, and who are not up to date with the corresponding payments with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, must purchase temporary local insurance for 22 days or bring international insurance that complies with the requirements of a foreign tourist. In the case of foreigners with the migratory category of permanent or temporary resident, or special category in the latter case, with the exception of the Student Subcategory, they must demonstrate the insurance by the Costa Rican social security, which can be verified at https://sfa.ccss.sa.cr/servMedicos/validarDerechos.do

Costa Rica records gradual tourism recovery Despite eliminating the requirement for a negative coronavirus test and opening its airports to the world, Costa Rica welcomed just 36,044 people in November, according to data shared by the Tourism Board (ICT).

The figure represents more than a threefold increase over October, when the country registered 9,888 air arrivals. In September, 3,371 people landed in Costa Rica, while in August — the month Costa Rica reopened its airports to a limited number of countries — just 1,636 people arrived.

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JetBlue launches new routes to Costa Rica The Costa Rica Tourism Board and JetBlue celebrated new routes for the North American carrier to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). Saturday afternoon, a JetBlue flight from Los Angeles arrived in Liberia, Guanacaste, and a plane carrying 112 passengers from the same California city landed at the San José-area airport on Sunday morning. Both aircraft received a traditional water-cannon salute commemorating the new routes connecting Los Angeles and Costa Rica.

Nearly 70% of the November visitors (24,606 people) came from the United States. “This signal that we receive from the most important market in Costa Rica is encouraging for more than 600,000 people who directly and indirectly make a living from tourism,” said Gustavo Segura, Tourism Minister. The gradual increase in tourists is dwarfed by Costa Rica’s pre-pandemic numbers. In November 2019, 191,346 people arrived in Costa Rica via an international flight. Nearly 92,000 of them came from the United States, while nearly 41,000 came from Europe.

“Regarding future expectations, the Tourism Minister calls for caution, since the current inflow of tourists is less than the 20% of what existed before the pandemic,” a statement from the Tourism Board reads.

“These new JetBlue routes to Daniel Oduber International Airport and Juan Santamaría International Airport are the result of a joint public-private effort to reactivate our tourism industry,” said Gustavo Segura, Minister of Tourism. Segura indicated that California is one of the United States’ most important tourism markets for Costa Rica.

With the new routes, SJO, Costa Rica’s largest international airport, expects to end 2020 with direct connections to 20 cities across the world. Meanwhile, JetBlue will fly between Liberia and Los Angeles six times per week during the tourism high season. Costa Rica fully reopened its air borders to tourists on November 1. It requires that visitors purchase travel health insurance. Tourists do not need to quarantine on arrival or bring proof of a negative coronavirus test.

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Colombia Immunity passports, a possible airline request to travel.

A proposal from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) asks for the use of a digital passport certifying vaccination and the result of the coronavirus test. The idea of so-called covid passports has gained great strength in the world as an effective strategy for the total reactivation of international flights. So far, as the development of some virus vaccines progresses, several airlines have supported the proposal and rely on its results.

W Punta de Mita

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AM Resorts

As reported by IATA, there is the final phase of a mobile application to show the traveler's health status. For Nick Careen, senior vice president of IATA, the application would be to "make people travel safer" and give a boost to the airline industry and make way for the tourism sector. Careen also called the strategy "time will eventually become a "vaccine plan", adding that "in the immediate term, it means giving governments confidence that systematic COVID-19 testing can function as a replacement for quarantine requirements."

In some countries they have called the project like 'Travel Pass', which in addition to providing the results of a PCR test, also reveals the details of a possible inoculation of the vaccine, the list of regulations that each country implements to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, as well as the test centers closest to the passenger's location. There has even been talk of adding a copy of the holder's passport to the application to facilitate airport formalities.

The Ritz Carlton Reserve

Rosewood

Companies such as International Consolidated Airlines (IAG), a conglomerate that brings together British Airways and Iberia airlines, have announced that they will begin a testing phase in the first quarter of 2021, when they also expect the availability of the Apple device app. In the case of phones with the Android operating system, April is considered as a possible date for its implementation.

The announcement of this measure is in addition to the news of advances in covid-19 vaccines. The last known results of the Russian Sputnik vaccine, which would have reported 95% efficacy. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna laboratories announced 95- and 94.5% efficiency, respectively.

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Ultra-Air could be a new airline in Colombia The Civil Aeronautics of Colombia will carry out the hearing in the coming days which will define if Ultra Air S.A.S. can be constituted as an air transport company to operate domestic and international routes. The application was filed with the Colombian Civil Aeronautics by Ultra Air S.A.S. legal representative William Shaw. The company claims to establish itself as a passenger, mail, and cargo air transport.

According to the request, the airline's headquarters would be in Rionegro, Antioquia. Air transport service would be provided on Airbus A320 CEO aircraft and Boeing B737 Max 8 aircraft, both on domestic and international routes. The international routes proposed by Ultra Air would have 118 frequencies per week. The following are the routes and frequencies per week: Bogota-Mexico City-Bogota: 14 Bogota-Cancun-Bogota: 14 Bogota-Miami-Bogota: 14 Bogota–Santo Domingo–Bogota: 7 Bogota–Quito-Bogota: 7 Bogota-Guayaquil-Bogota: 7 Bogota-Lima-Bogota: 7 Bogota-Curacao-Bogota: 7 Medellin–Miami–Medellin: 11 Medellin–Cancun–Medellin: 11 Medellin–Mexico City–Medellin: 11 Medellin–Guayaquil–Medellin: 7 Medellin–New York–Medellin: 7 Medellin–Aruba–Medellin: 4 Medellin–Punta Cana–Medellin: 4

Interview with

T

he intention of Interview with The Expert is to get you closer to some of the hospitality industry leaders and learn from them their

objectives, vision, and expectations. During this month, we had the privilege and opportunity to Interview José Manuel García, Founder, Visionary, and Seller of Dreams for IVI DMC Enterprises, and Rick Lambert, CEO at Destinations Inc. It was a pleasure talking and learning about them while they shared their passions, main business aspects, and expectations. We hope you enjoy them too.

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The Experts!

Jose Manuel Garcia

Founder, Visionary and Seller of Dreams | IVI DMC Enterprises After years of working in the hotel industry with international chains such as Hyatt, Mr. Garcia founded IVI DMC´s first office in Cancun in 1986. Since then he has been working tirelessly and with his leadership, tenacity, and creativity he has inaugurated offices in 6 countries and 41 destinations.

His company, IVI DMC has been awarded in some of the most influential incentive houses throughout the years. He also founded the nonprofit organization Amigos of The Planet to support the communities around the world.

Other ventures he has founded are DQuest DMO ( Destination Marketing Organization), Dquest.shop ( Gifts from Latam to the World), Blue Line ( Transportation company), and MyDay ( First-Class Travel Services).

He is a husband, married for more than 30 years, father of 2 children, both fully involved in his companies. His favorite place to vacation is his home although he enjoys traveling; his favorite sports are Formula One, soccer, American football among others. He loves Mexican cuisine and really enjoys history. He is always focused on the positive aspects of life; his main strengths are his team whom he considers a part of his family; his customers and suppliers; he said IVI DMC Enterprises is made of great people - having a great team, great things happen. Now he is expanding his companies and extending his presence far beyond 6 countries. In this challenging environment, he prefers to focus on the future, having endured a challenging learning experience in 2020; he remains working hard and smart toward the future. He says the best is yet to come.

Click here to watch the full interview >> Page 26

Rick Lambert

President, & CEO Destinations Inc. This month we also had the opportunity to interview a great friend, Rick Lambert from Destinations Inc. Rick told us that figuring out which is your favorite place in the world is one of the hardest questions in our industry. He talked about his love for hospitality, food, and Mexican culture, although his ideal “Happy place” would be Bora Bora. His favorite book is “Unbroken” and his favorite movie is the “Gladiator”.

If he could hang out with anyone, he'd talk to American politicians, to find out what's going on inside of their heads, but the person he looks up to the most, is his own dad and he always loves to hang out with him. He's aware that the current situation with the pandemic is hard, but he's excited to see all of the new developments that will help put an end to this situation. He looks forward to traveling becoming more acceptable and showing the world how you could travel safely. Rick is certain that this year will be way better than the last one. When talking about key elements for successful Destination Inc. programs, Rick said that the key is to create moments where you leave your clients speechless, and everything they can say is “Wow”. He claims that travel doesn’t start on the plane, but rather when you're making plans.

Lastly, Rick said that we work in the greatest industry in the world, and although the pandemic knocked it down, he knows that the travel industry will rise, and we’ll be stronger than ever.

Click here to watch the full interview >>

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Celebrating with…

Lorena Armengual I would like to explain how we work in “DQuest DMO/Celebracion” to plan the wedding in the best way and make sure this is an unforgettable day for the bride and groom, the family, and all the guests. When we talk about a wedding plan, we like to find out what the bride and groom have in mind, since this helps us advise them on the best options and offer an integral quote which includes several hotels and locations that fulfill the requirements that, as a couple, you are looking for.

We live in the area, we know the strengths of each hotel and location, this gives us the ability to analyze every single detail of the event so we can offer a quote designed to meet your budget.

If you have the opportunity to travel to Kindly note that our fees are based on Cancun we can coordinate a guided visit several elements such as the number of so you can learn more about each facility guests, duration of the event, number of and what they have to offer. We under- days in the event, etc. After you decide to stand that distance is an important factor, hire our services the contracts are drawn therefore we use tools such as Zoom, up: one for coordination and the other for Facetime, Whats-App, etc to connect you services, and the deposit agreed upon in with hotels or locations we have consid- this agreement is paid. ered for your event.

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How we work in DQuest DMO/Celebración for your Wedding Once your event is confirmed we immediately start working on the “timeline”, presenting couples with the activities suggested that can be enjoyed until the day of the wedding. Throughout the planning process, we constantly share information with the bride and the groom via e-mail, making sure they are always aware of actions to be taken for your event to avoid unpleasant surprises and above all ensure that all guests, families, and especially the bride and the groom enjoy each moment intensely.

On your wedding day, we provide enough

I would also like to emphasize that

staff members to ensure the successful oper-

there will always be two “DQuest DMO/

ation of the event. The number of persons we

Celebración” staff members available

provide does not change the cost of our coor-

throughout the events, staying until the

dination services, since we have considered

end so that you can be assured we will be

this factor from the start. We always assign

there to take care of even the smallest details.

one person to stay close to the bride for any

Greetings from the Mexican Caribbean!

unforeseen circumstances, instructions, or suggestions the bride might make.

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During the month of January, we were thrilled

She also indicated that a lot is going on in the

to launch our weekly Destination News. In this

destinations, from Educational Trips ( Fam

first edition, Raquel Mijares, Vice President of

Trips) in Los Cabos, Cancun and more to come.

Marketing for IVI DMC Enterprises shared the

IVI DMC has begun to receive RFP´s for 2021,

type of news our destination will be bringing to

this will be a better year for us; she considers

our audience.

2021 will be important on hybrid events and also

She stated 2020 was a challenging year.

sustainable events.

Nevertheless, it also brought opportu-

She mentioned that despite the current condi-

nities to maintain highly productive

tions there are many exciting news to share from

on-line meetings with clients, CVBs, and

Hotel openings, new attractions, flight connec-

new partners to establish new strategies.

tivity, new technology in resorts, airports and many other relevant aspects. Keeping updated is

Click here to learn more>>

very important and this is a great tool to do so.

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Meet DQuest DMO Team

Veronica Sarmiento

Executive Vice President DQuest With more than 25 years in the hospitality industry centered around the luxury market, Verónica Sarmiento joins DQuest DMO in 2020 as Executive Vice President.

During her professional career, she has served as Sales and Marketing Director of hotels such as Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, Hyatt Regency Cancun, Park Royal Hotels, and Le Meridien Cancun. She has also collaborated in the pre-opening of hotels such as Park Hyatt St Kitts, Hyatt Regency Cartagena, Andaz Mayakoba, among others. She enjoys team collaboration and a strategic focus on Sales and Marketing to achieve the desired goals. Verónica is originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa where she studied Tourism Business Administration and the place where most of her family resides. She is a wife and mother of two children; 24 and 19 years old. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, exercising outdoors, going to the beach, and typical Mazatlan dishes.

Jose Luis Revilla

Vice President of Marketing

Jose Luis Revilla, also known as “Tote”, deems himself an expert in Digital Marketing and social media. He began to develop in this area at the age of 17 when he formed the Pop Rock musical group "Los Jimmys". With his marketing skills, he managed to generate millions of plays, and get sponsorships that took him around the Mexican Republic. After 5 years of being the lead singer, and managing the group's social media, he began to follow another of his passions, audiovisual production. Learning and perfecting the use of video and animation programs.

At age 22, he was hired by IVI DMC Enterprises to work as Vice President of Marketing at DQuest DMO; the company he currently works for, developing digital marketing strategies. In this company, he learned a lot about tourism promotion and the incentive travel industry.

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Darryl Wheeler

Vice President Meetings & Incentives Beginning with his very first job as a tour guide in Toronto, he has lived and breathed hospitality and tourism for the past 30 years. Throughout his career, delivering superior guest experiences, impressive events, and seamless destination management has been his sole focus.

In 2001, he established his Destination and Event Management Company, Max West Marketing.

During the 15 years that he headed the company, they delivered over 3000 Meetings, Incentives, and Business Events throughout Western Canada.

Since 2014, he has been primarily living and working in Central America and the Caribbean providing meeting planning and logistic service contracts for a handful of Fortune 500 Companies.

In 2020, he was recruited by DQuest Travel and IVI DMC. He saw it as the “Living the Dream” opportunity being the face of a Latin American company backed by the 35+ years of rock-solid DMC history.

You can always find Darryl walking his 4 beloved Jack Russell Terriers, and he always welcomes guests to stop by his house on the weekend for a beer and some BBQ.

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Stephen Sorenson

Regional Business Director Midwest

Steve got bit by the travel bug early that led to his travel career in the Meetings and Event Industry, and has held sourcing positions at BI, Carlson Marketing Group, MotivAction, CWT and can identify what buyers need.

Over the years, he has traveled to over 72 countries and seen over 90 cruise ships.

He enjoys using his sourcing, contracting, and destination knowledge to provide the best option for individual travelers and groups.

By invitation, he served on Incentive Advisory Boards for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ritz Carlton Luxury Brands, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Islands of the Bahamas, Westin Hotels and Resorts, and Orient-Express Hotels.

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Israel Garces

Mexico Regional Director Israel is a proud Mexican native, based in Mexico City. Although he graduated as a systems programmer, from a very young age, he was very passionate about geography and history.

In 1992 he began his career in tourism in the reservations area of Mexicana Airline. After that, he was a travel agent and after a few months of studying in Frankfurt, Germany in mid-1995 he returned to Mexico to join American Express Co. During his f ive years, he had the opportunity to visit 20+ countries on 4 continents.

Subsequently, he directed the operations area of a cruise wholesaler for 1 year and it was until 2002 that he began his business career in the hotel industry which would lead to the next 17 years. He has collaborated with the Brisas, Camino Real, Nh, Melia, etc. hotel chains and for four years he was DOS of the Hotel Hacienda Vista Hermosa in Morelos founded in the XVI, and subsequently in various projects.

He is the father of 2 children who are his absolute joy and who awakened in him what he considers his greatest joy of being a father. He is a lover of chocolate, pastries, and cooking. Early in life, his biggest hobby was traveling but now it's spending time with his children.

Tatiana Omegna

Brazil Sales Representative

Although she likes traveling, her greatest vocation has always been to welcome guests, whether in Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, or Cancun, where she lived for five years. Here is where she shifted her career in tourism and began working in the hotel commercial department.

She currently lives in Rio de Janeiro where she has worked with international hotel chains, luxury hotels, and even tour operators in both Brazil and Mexico.

Step into the greatest mystery...among the ruins or a city in the depths of the ocean.

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What our client’s have to say.

“

“

We had a very positive, good experience in all areas!! Thank you all so much!

Malek did an amazing job. I have to give all the credit to Malek, he did an amazing job, he has amazing follow up skills and great ideas. Malek planning was very though.

Everything run smoothly. He was on top of all aspects of our event including development, planning and execution.

“

Salwa Scarpone | Vice President of Marketing

“

Very responsive and resourceful for our needs required.

Enjoyed working together. Hard quick turn around pleasant to work with. Excellent. Very personable and helpful. Would recommend to anyone. Look forward to future program.

“

“

Matthew Schermerhorn | Principal

Keri Lefaivre | Director Travel Operations

Doctor Travel’s cure for the common trip Don´t forget sunscreen!

When you travel, you’re in the sun more than most people due to beach-hopping, countless excursions, and outdoor dining. Remember to wear sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather and temperature.

You don’t want your trip of a lifetime to result in skin cancer or those unbearable burns.

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Why advertise with Communiquest Incentive Travel digest?

Advertising and promotional opportunities are now available in CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest. Sponsorship placement opportunities are limited and are reserved on a “first come, first served” basis. We invite you to advertise in our vastly distributed Incentive Travel Digest which is already available to over 10,000 avid readers. These readers are dedicated members, stakeholders, and fine suppliers. This Incentive Travel Digest is an inviting ‘cover to cover’ read, ensuring eyecatching and successful advertising.

Click here to receive more information

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

Find us in over 41 destinations throughout: • Mexico • Cuba • Dominican Republic • Costa Rica & • Panama • Colombia

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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 Founder and and Seller Dream Visionary, ofSeller Dreams

Raquel MIJARES rmijares@ividmc.travel

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