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Cover Subject:
Year 10 Vol. 1, Issue 171
SOUTHERN BAJA’S CHARMING BEAUTY
Directory Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM manolo@ividmc.travel President Francisco BAEZA, DMCP fbaeza@ividmc.travel Vice President
Introduction Page 4 A Leading Destination in Meetings and Events Page 5 • Baja’s Main Cities and Beaches Pages 5-11 • •
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel General Comptroller Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP rmijares@ividmc.travel Corporate Marketing Director
Advertise with CommuniQuest Page 14
Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Quality Director Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel Content & Editing
Baja’s Blue Flag Beaches Page 11
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Pages 12, 13
Dr. Travel’s - Travel Tip: Home, Sweet Home
David MIS corp.image@ividmc.travel Design
Page 15 © Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
Destination Offices Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI, DMCP Destination Managing Director yelosegui@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA, CMS Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Ligia VARGAS, CIS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit & Central Mexico, Jaime NELO, CMS, DMCP Destination Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic Ramon RIJO, CIS Regional Managing Director rrijo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Panama David JOHNSON, CIS Associate Regional Managing Director djohnson@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP Corporate Marketing Director rmijares@ividmc.travel
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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, Cabos, located in Baja, is known for its sun-washed beaches and unblemished blue skies. Southern Baja’s charming beauty includes luxury resorts, superb fishing, the prominent arch in the iconic Land’s End, the stunning underwater flora and fauna that swarm with life the waters of the Sea of Cortez. The blessed climate and endless water and desert-based activities are just the beginning for this paradise. Cabos is truly a destination that has it all for the perfect business meeting, an appealing setting for the perfect get together with your guests! Among other things to do are: aquatic activities such as snorkeling and surfing, whale watching tours, golfing, feasting on the best of Baja's bounty, and much more!
Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM President IVI DMC2 Enterprises
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Baja California Sur is a state surrounded by the greatness of the Sea of Cortez to the West, the Pacific Ocean to the East, and the mountainous desert called "The End of the Earth" since it is the last piece of land of the Peninsula of Baja California Sur; this privileged geographic location makes it a true paradise. Los Cabos is a magical place with crystal clear waters and contrasts and offers an unparalleled natural beauty and a host of activities for both adventure and relaxation. Los Cabos is at the southernmost tip of the 1,000-mile-long Baja California Peninsula, west of continental Mexico and just below southern California. Los Cabos is approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) South of San Diego, California. Air Connectivity. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is located only 8 miles north of San Jose del Cabo and 23 miles from Cabo San Lucas. Los Cabos has 518 flights per week, serving around 40 destinations. There are about 500 weekly flights from 40 cities in North America alone. These frequencies tend to increase from May to October.
International Flights: United States: Dallas, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Orange County, Denver, Newark, Houston, Washington, Atlanta, Detroit, New York JFK, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Austin, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Phoenix. Canada: Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Regina, Saskatoon, Victoria, and Kelowna. Domestic Flights: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Toluca, Monterrey, Culiacan, Leon/El Bajio, Los Mochis, Mazatlรกn. Los Cabos International Airport has new frequencies to Culiacan, San Diego, Seattle, Baltimore, Houston, Toronto, Washington D.C., and a new air route scheduled for 2020: London to Los Cabos, which will run once a week with a capacity for 150 passengers.
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A LEADING DESTINATION IN MEETINGS & EVENTS Los Cabos has positioned itself as a favorite beach destination among professionals in groups and conventions; the activities and attractions offered by this magnificent destination, plus the warmth of Mexican hospitality, make it a true paradise. 4 main reasons to choose Los Cabos: 1 · Efficient domestic and international air connectivity. The airport of San Jose del Cabo (SJD) ranks sixth in Mexico for its number of daily flights and air traffic. 2 · Infrastructure and facilities for first class events. 3 · Our well-known hospitality is a guarantee that you and your participants will enjoy an authentic holiday experience.
4 · A large number of activities and attractions designed to discover this destination will make your trip a unique experience.
BAJA’S MAIN CITIES Here in Baja California Sur, there are localities with singular attributes, legends, history, nonpareil facts, and customs that show their rich culture. Among our main cities we have:
San Jose del Cabo A traditional Mexican city. Walk about this place, enjoy the colonial downtown made of colorful buildings, charming streets and its inviting main square. A cultural and artistic place with many recognized galleries, restaurants, and world class bars. Go horseback riding and discover its beautiful beaches and the estuary of San Jose where many species of birds live.
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Tourist Corridor It’s a 20 miles (33 km), four–lane highway that connects Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Drive along to enjoy stunning views of both the desert and coastline of the Sea of Cortez, magnificent golf courses, and lovely luxury hotels.
Cabo San Lucas Come here to admire the iconic Arch nestled around beautiful rock formations, the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Visit Playa Medano, its impressive marina, and countless restaurants and bars of great fame.
Todos Santos This is one of the most attractive towns in Baja California. Its particular mix of locals, artists, and surfers brings about a true oasis full of culture and traditions. It was designated one of the country's magical towns in 2006 due to its history and quaint architecture thus joining 82 other cities in Mexico.
As you walk about the streets of Todos Santos, one encounters continuous wonders among its various colonial-style buildings. Scattered among its streets, there are more than 20 art galleries where creative locals and foreign exhibit their aesthetic proposals. Todos Santos and its unique landscape are a source of inexhaustible inspiration to painters and sculptors.
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La Paz It’s the capital of Baja California Sur, also considered the gateway to the Sea of Cortez, as it is the most important port on the Baja peninsula. Visit La Paz and connect with nature. Discover how the desert blends with the sea and explore landscapes full of wildlife in an environment like no other. La Paz is surrounded by incredible places, including the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, World Heritage islands, and picturesque towns. It is the perfect place to enjoy beaches, landscapes, water activities, adventure and walks almost exclusively, thanks to its tranquility and its unique characteristics. An ideal place away from the hustle and bustle. La Paz is a city more than 400 years old. Learn about its history by visiting the Museum of Anthropology of the city. Another important venue is the Cathedral of La Paz, built during the second half of the 19th century; its biggest attraction are the beautiful baroque altarpieces.
WHAT TO DO IN LA PAZ? Swim with the largest fish in the world, the whale shark; dive or snorkel in the sea lion colony in Espiritu Santo Island; have a close encounter with the gray whales, visit Balandra, the most beautiful beach in Mexico, enjoy the awe-inspiring sunsets. La Paz’ beaches, bathed by the Sea of Cortez are simply spectacular; they are only minutes away from downtown La Paz. Several beaches are located North of La Paz, bordering the desert. Although its facilities are limited, its unspoiled environment makes them really striking due to being surrounded by white sands, mangroves and mountains full of cacti.
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BEACH TOUR TO ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND If you like diving, fishing or just enjoying a beautiful landscape such as its impressive cliffs, you must visit the Isla del Espiritu Santo; it is an uninhabited island of unparalleled beauty because in its 31sq mi (80 sq km) you can admire so many endemic species such as the gray heron, the red-tailed hawk, and the black hare; sometimes you can see sea lions and seals sunbathing. It is the ideal place to have fun and learn about its rock formations, and to perform water sports such as diving and snorkeling. The beauty of this island has positioned it as one of the most beautiful in the world for its biodiversity, including the title of World Heritage of UNESCO. It was declared a protected natural area in 1978 and a biosphere reserve in 1995. Isla Espiritu Santo is located about 20 mi (33 km) from La Paz.
BALANDRA BEACH Balandra, or sloop in English, is a sailing boat with a single mast and a fore-andaft rig; maybe this is why the beach is known as such, since there is a stone in this beach that took the shape of a mushroom due to erosion; its resilience and beauty made it the symbol of La Paz. An ideal place for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, paddling in kayak, and hiking.
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SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS Swim with the largest fish in the ocean, the friendly domino-skin giant, the Whale Shark. Enjoy the experience of having a close up encounter with this marine behemoth in its natural habitat. Whale sharks like the warm and rich waters of the Bay of La Paz, and despite its colossal size however, it feeds on small fish, crustaceans, squid, and plankton; this fact gives us the chance to interact with it. Swimming with one of the more than 30 whale sharks that arrive at the bay every year is an unforgettable experience. It is sighted from October to March. Its calm and gentle nature allows us to swim and dive with them. Being next to a whale shark is a true experience of life. No word can express the thrill and wonder one can experience!
SPORT FISHING La Paz is ideal for the practice of sport fishing. It is common to return with a marlin, a tuna, cabrilla, roosterfish, wahoo or dorado on a fishing day; you can also practice the sport by catching and releasing. Within the municipality of La Paz, there are the communities of BahĂa de los SueĂąos, La Ventana, El Sargento, and the area of East Cabo that includes Los Barriles, which are the main spots for sport fishing in the state. These places carry out international fishing tournaments such as the Bisbee's circuit that attracts thousands of avid fishermen. For lovers of fishing, La Paz is truly a fishing paradise. Among experienced fishermen, it is said that these waters have the highest rate of fish catch in the world. The best fishing season in La Paz is from June to December.
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CABO PULMO is located 56 mi (90 km) from Cabo San Lucas. It was declared a Natural Protected Area in 1995, a National Park in 2000 and it is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 2005. Cabo Pulmo possesses the only coral reef on the Eastern Pacific coast. This reserve has an impressive, rich diversity; the desert and the sea meet to offer an unforgettable experience that we must protect, not only as a national treasure, but also as an heritage for future generations. Here, you can spot stingrays, dolphins, turtles, sea lions, octopuses, moray eels, angelfish, groupers, seagulls, pelicans, and herons among many more.
WHAT TO DO IN CABO PULMO? Diving: There are 17 spots for diving, including the deep reef, the bank, and an underwater canyon. Beginners and expert divers can enjoy a wonderful underwater experience in waters which visibility ranges from 60 to 100 feet. PADI Open Water certification is needed. Snorkeling: The great diversity of life that it shelters, its crystalline waters, and the magnificence of the only reef in the Sea of CortĂŠs - also known as the aquarium of the world- is the perfect backdrop for the activity MORE WATER ACTIVITIES Kayaking: This activity is one of the favorites amongst visitors. Discover Los Cabos at sea level while kayaking near the rock formations of the emblematic Arch; test your strength, endurance, and adventurous spirit. Enjoy the crystal clear waters that resemble a pool and marvel at the flora and fauna the Sea of Cortez boasts. Come and visit the Bays of Los Cabos, Santa Maria, and Chileno. You can do kayaking as a couple or individually. Reaching the end of the earth in a kayak is a unique experience, thanks to its calm sea currents that enliven the route. You can rent the equipment in Playa Medano and from there go to the Arch; if you need a break in between, you can disembark in Lovers Beach.
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Whale Watching (December-March). These majestic animals travel more than 1,200 mi (2,000 km) from the cold waters of Alaska to the Pacific Ocean; it’s one of the most popular activities in Los Cabos. Approaching its habitat is a magical experience that you will talk about in the years to come. Imagine being in the front row of the boat beholding their colossal size and extraordinary longevity. They are known and admired for their jumps out of the water called breaks; they strongly slap the water with the tail, the head or the pectoral fins. It is an unrivaled experience for whale watchers and tourists. They are smart and great singers! Each population communicates through their own dialect and sings their own songs; the whales are not born knowing how to sing, they do it instinctively. Each newborn learns from their peers.
BAJAS’ BLUE FLAG BEACHES Blue Flag is an international badge that is delivered to beaches and marinas. To be eligible for this most important certification, beaches and marinas must meet high international standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services. Los Cabos is ranked first in the nation in having the largest number of clean, safe and accessible beaches. Some 19 beaches of the municipality of Los Cabos have received this certification.
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CERTIFIED BEACHES: Playa Acapulquito Playa El Chileno Playa El Corsario Playa Hacienda La Ribera Playa Las Viudas Medano Breathless Medano Casa Dorada Medano Club Casa de Baja Medano ME Cabo Medano Pueblo Bonito Cabos Medano Pueblo Bonito Rose Medano Riu Palace Los Cabos Medano Riu Santa Fe Medano Villa del Palmar Medano Villa El Arco Medano Villa La Estancia Playa Palmilla Playa Santa Maria
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Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.travel Serving the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry since 1986. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout: • • • • •
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For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this travel digest, please contact: Raquel MIJARES rmijares@ividmc.travel
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Travel Tip: Home, Sweet Home Just as you need to adjust to life on the road, so must you adjust to being home again. Things are, after all, different — no one pretties up the toilet paper, turns down the bed, or leaves chocolates on the pillow. Home has no extensive menu, room service, or wake -up calls. Returning home can be a big transition (especially if you were on a pleasure trip and now you must go back to work). Give yourself time for re-entry. Take a walk in the park or have a cup of tea while you sit and read your mail. A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. – George Moore (Taken from page 245)
James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500 companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag. Reprinted by permission from the Author: jfeldman@itcheque.com
THANK YOU FOR READING Like life in general, the M&E Industry seems to move at the speed of light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, & interesting. I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be. Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
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