Your Destination Trends for 2019- Year 10 Vol. 1, No. 175

Vol. 1, No. 175

YOUR DESTINATION TRENDS FOR 2019

Vol. 1, No. 175

DIRECTORY

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INDEX

Visionary, Founder and Master Coach:

Central Mexico

Jose Manuel García, CDS

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jmgarcia@ividmc.travel President:

Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit

Jose Manuel (Manolo) García CIS, CMS, CCM manolo@ividmc.travel Vice President: Francisco Baeza, DMCP fbaeza@ividmc.travel General Comptroller:

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See what’s new in this dreamy vacation retreat.

Los Cabos Luxury accommodations are on the rise as we bring you closer to this paradise in the Pacific.

Trinidad Sanchez tsanchez@ividmc.travel

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Corporate Marketing

Cancun

Director: Raquel Mijares, CIS, DMCP

Brand new luxury accommodations set to delight your next getaway in this white-sand paradise

rmijares@ividmc.travel Corporate Quality Director: Julia Ortiz jortiz@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing Alejandro Pech

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Cuba

Costa Rica

Panama

Cuba is on a path toward a new phase aimed for significant growth.

Uncover a hidden oasis

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apech@ividmc.travel Content & Editing: Omar Delgadillo

A coffee lover’s paradise

ivicorp@ividmc.travel Design

Destination offices

Israel Urbina iurbina@dquest.media

Cover subject: Your destination trends for 2019

Mexico:

Caribbean:

Central America:

IVI DMC² Los Cabos

IVI DMC² Cuba

IVI DMC² Costa Rica

Yazmin ELOSEGUI, DMCP

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

Nayarit & Central Mexico,

Ramón RIJO, CIS

IVI DMC² Panama

Jaime NELO, CMS, DMCP

Regional Managing Director

David JOHNSON, CIS

Destination Managing Director

rrijo@ividmc.travel

Associate Regional Managing

jnelo@ividmc.travel

Follow us on:

Director djohnson@ividmc.travel

IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP Corporate Marketing Director rmijares@ividmc.travel

© Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT. Dear reader, Just four decades ago, most of these destinations which are now empires in the tourism industry were uninhabited islands or cities which few knew of their existence. Before they were developed, they were just a rock mass and dunes separated from the mainland. Today, our modern-day Mexican Caribbean and South American regions have become the most dynamic in the world with a spearheading infrastructure and world-known hospitality. These top destinations are some of the biggest drivers that contribute heavily to each of their country’s economy due to the thriving tourism force. Your group participants will be delighted to be treated in Mexico’s Caribbean, Cosmopolitan and South America’s key destinations.

Sincerely,

Jose Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM Presidente 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.

CENTRAL MEXICO Unique.Authentic.Cosmopolitan.

Cosmopolitan and cultured IVI DMC² Central Mexico has located the trends that rule today’s Incentive Travel Industry and lists them here, hoping they will be of great use for Meeting Planners and everyone involved.

In short, the main Trends consist in the search for balance.

A balance between experiencing new things and visiting new places, out of what has been seen and lived before and available to anyone, preserving the ecosystems and the environment overall.

It’s about finding your balance A balance between a technology lifestyle and social media world in search for new experiences - those that can be shared, of course.

A balance between work and recreation and wellness. The goal is to experience sessions and workshops, combining them with activities that contribute to the health, such as Temazcals, organic menus (including Superfoods), open-air meditation, special room amenities. Please visit dquest.shop, an invaluable ally!

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LOS CABOS A natural wonder covered in golden sand beaches, fecund waters, and spectacular arching stone cliffs.

A stark desert landscape in the Pacific Los Cabos is getting set to expand its hotel inventory with the addition of six new luxury properties in 2019. This includes the Ritz Carlton Reserve, Nobu Los Cabos, Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, Vidanta East Cape, Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos and Villa Valencia Including the expansion of three existing properties, this will create 2,463 new rooms in Los Cabos in 2019.

“We are delighted by the confidence this shows in the attractiveness of our destination,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. These are in addition to the 1,421 new rooms Los Cabos will have added to its hotel inventory by the end of this year. Openings for the remainder of the year include the Solaz, A Luxury Collection Resort in September, followed by the Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in November and the Riu Palace Baja California in December.

Bringing you closer to paradise New direct flights have recently been launched in efforts to bring travelers closer to this coastal destination. On November 19th, Volaris airlines announced a new route from Bajío, Guanajuato to Los Cabos. Internationally three flights routes to Los Cabos have been announced, Milwaukee, Las Vegas, and Baltimore. Allowing travelers to fly directly to Mexico’s exclusive Pacific and enjoy the beauty of its pristine waters and authentic lifestyle.

Visit Mexico’s number one destination for luxury travel!

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Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit Picture perfect moments.

Trends that are driving the industry The great IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta Team is always staying on top of trends. Recently we attended an eye-opening seminar by MPI Mexico Chapter that took place at this enticing coastal destination, in which current trends in the Business and Incentive space were detailed.

So what’s on the horizon this year?

Some of the most important trends discussed were the improvement of the overall experience for the attendees (wellness + Corporate Social Responsibility + Mindfulness), the concern for the environment and social legacy, seeking for healthier travel experience options. Other vital topics were discussed such as teamwork in the destination as a whole - including DMC’s, Hotels and Purveyors, preparedness for multicultural, multigeneration and multi-ideology Groups, the huge boom of the ME-WE society, and more.

Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, as a destination, fully comply with the growing demand for “Festivalization”, which consists of focusing on themed experiences that target uniqueness and authenticity of the Destination. Also providing an experience that allows for goals to be met and the personal growth of all attendees.

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CANCUN

A tale of two cities in the Caribbean Mexico is currently the 6th most visited place in the world, a great achievement that has turned tourism into one of the main actors of economic growth and social welfare. It is the main destination for investment and hospitality development in Latin America.

A natural heritage that boasts turquoise beaches, jungles, cenotes, archaeological sites, underground rivers, international golf courses, and local flavors.

It has an international airport providing great air connectivity, with direct flights to 170 cities. And a cruise ships fleet of more than 1,500 cruise trips per year.

It is the closest point from Mexico to Europe, Africa, Central, and South America, as well as the east coast of the United States and Canada.

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Paradisus Playa Mujeres Meliรก Hotels will increase its allotment in Mexico with the opening of Paradisus Playa Mujeres, a 498-room resort open in 2019.

For the Meliรก hotel chain, Paradisus Playa Mujeres will be a new jewel in the Mexican Caribbean, this resort will consolidate allinclusive luxury tourism in this destination.

Among the services that the hotel will offer, it includes Royal Service (for adults only) with private butlers and Family Concierge that offers a customized family vacation experience.

In addition, it will have four swimming pools, six bars, and seven restaurants. Paradisus Playa Mujeres will also have four stations for business and a convention center with a capacity of up to 1,500 people.

Royalton Cancun Resort & Spa Royalton Luxury Resorts, a new generation that specializes in group travel for professional events, incentives, meetings, conferences, and corporate retreats. Each air-conditioned conference and banquet room can comfortably host meetings, dinner, and other functions. Our outdoor venues are a perfect place for a private reception to make your event an exceptional experience.

This all-inclusive hotel offers discerning travelers a family-friendly vacation experience. The professionals at its vibrant Kids Club will ensure a happy, safe and entertained enjoyment, socializing with others their own age and making memories that will last a lifetime.

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Renaissance Cancun Resort & Marina The Renaissance Cancun Resort & Marina Hotel is located in Puerto Cancun, exclusive area at the beginning of the hotel zone, just ten minutes from downtown and walking distance to the beach.

This area is considered the new Cancun entertainment zone where you can find the Marina Town Center, the largest shopping center in Cancun with 45,000 meters of land which translates into more than 100 commercial and restaurants premises. The Marina and the golf course are the perfect option for the traveler looking for different experiences.

Haven Riviera Cancun Haven Riviera Cancun is an adults-only, allinclusive resort located between Cancun and Riviera Maya. Escape to an exclusive realm of style, glamour and seclusion, where you will feel as if a tiny sliver of Mexico coastline has been reserved just for you. Rich in contemporary Mexican design, awash in warm, inviting colors and fabrics, your oceanfront suite will envelop you in sheer tranquility.

Inspired by glorious views and a secluded beachfront setting, your meetings, incentives and group getaways are nothing short of unforgettable Atelier Playa Mujeres Atelier Playa Mujeres, located only 25 minutes away from Cancun International Airport, blends harmoniously its innovative atmosphere with the mesmerizing natural landscape of Playa Mujeres.

Boasting an outstanding Convention Center with 2,283 m² (24,576 ft) of space, world-class facilities, and catering service. Additionally, the 6 fully-functional meeting rooms available at ATELIER Playa Mujeres have been fully designed to meet all events planners’ needs.

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Chablé Maroma Chablé Maroma, one of the best hotels in the Riviera Maya. Guests at Chablé Maroma experience life on the beach from luxurious and cozy presidential villas, suites and independent villas Chablé honors the Maya cultural heritage and celebrates this civilization’s way of life, in intimate contact with nature.

The casitas are an evocative refuge designed with Mayan colors and regional materials: xucun stone, marble, and Galarza quarried stone.

The wood in floors and ceilings make each casita a natural hideaway where nothing is missing.

Walls that fully open and integrate with the jungle around complete a luxurious experience.

Xavage Park Challenge all your limits in Xavage, the only park in Cancun and Riviera Maya with the most audacious activities by land, air, and water.

Free your wild side and face the force of water, travel paths full of challenges and conquer the heights.

Live this adrenaline-filled challenge and follow your instincts.

In Xavage you can choose and combine the most extreme activities of Cancun and Riviera Maya: kayak, climb a rope circuit, fly through the air on a zip line, feel the speed and the 360 ​​ ° turns of a jet, conquer the adverse road in an all-terrain vehicle and tame the current of the only fast rivers of destiny.

Regardless of the time, in Xavage you will have an exquisite buffet with the delicious flavors of Mexican cuisine in a perfect combination of fresh, healthy and high-quality dishes.

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CUBA

A time traveler’s magical retreat

Cuba’s developing trends For the coming year, 2019 Cuba has set its goals and priorities, with tourism being one of the most interesting areas, focused on another record of international visitor arrivals to more than five million in 2019 and a significant increase in revenues.

The commitment to continue promoting the development of the travel industry from the increase in the hotel floor is maintained, now with 69,514 rooms, 76% with four and five-star categories.

Responding to an investment program until 2030, and thus raise to more than 100,000 accommodation capacities, an achievable goal if the rhythm of the construction of 5 000 hotel rooms each year is maintained.

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Cuba’s booming cruise ship arrivals The increase in cruise arrivals to the ports of Cuba is expected, a modality that has been setting guidelines in this regard, now, for example, it has been reported that Silversea will incorporate the destination Cuba to its cruise itineraries from the United States, as of February 2019.

The company Carnival Cruise Line decided to add another 20 trips to the Greater Antilla next year, from Tampa, on board the Carnival Paradise boat, which will total 48 visits to Havana next season.

Between January and October of 2018, 703 519 travelers arrived on the island in these boats, mostly from the United States and Europe.

Foreign investments A strong demand during the last few years has instilled a reinforcement of the presence and commitment of foreign chains such as MeliĂĄ Hotels, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Kempinski, Banyan Tree, among other note-worthy chains.

The boom experienced by international tourism in recent years - with visitor records of 4.5 and 4.7 million in 2016 and 2017. Hotels plan to keep up with this growing demand by building 100,000 rooms by 2030.

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Hotel Gran Manzana Kempinski Ideally located in the heart of Old Havana, and surrounded by the main UNESCO World Heritage buildings of this vibrant city, the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski offers you the opportunity to relish in the first luxury hotel in Cuba.

With a contemporary decoration, Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski comprises 246 luxurious rooms, including 50 suites, where you can lounge after a stroll through the fascinating and historic city of Havana.

Iberostar Grand Packard On the emblematic Paseo del Prado, and next to iconic buildings such as the Velasco Palace or the National Capitol Building, one of the best hotels in Havana awaits you: the new 5-star Iberostar Grand Packard hotel. Enjoy the most exclusive services and discover how time stops in the streets of the old town, which is bursting with authentic colonial architecture and vintage cars.

Watch the sunset from the boardwalk of La Habana and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Caribbean. Gorgeous scenes complete with fishermen at work, children playing in the waves and numerous street groups livening up the end of the day with their music.

Angsana Cayo Santa Maria Explore the beauties of Villa Clara Cays and its marine life. Snorkel, scuba dive or simply dip into the cyan-blue waters.

Immerse yourself in the Cuban culture as you visit the nearby cities of Caibarien, Remedios and Santa Clara.

Angsana Cayo Santa Maria is the place to venture, relax, enjoy gastronomic delights and create memorable moments with your loved ones.

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Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria Pack your bags and head over to Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria resort in gorgeous Cuba! Every guest is unique and our goal is for your amazing holiday to be a reflection of you. Take a break from your daily routine and vacation, your way.

At Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria, feel free to be zen or be fun!

Providing the perfect for you to chill, get the best night’s sleep and freshen up for the day to come.

Experience a highly personalized stay where design features are created with you in mind.

No holiday is complete without great food and drinks! At Dhawa Cayo Santa Maria, enjoy a wide variety of culinary options and experiences.

Feeling local? Sample Cuban-style barbecue or one of our specialty restaurants. Sip on a classic Mojito or pick from a wide array of cocktails and premium local beers and spirits.

Golf in Cuba Cuba today builds the largest real estate tourism complex associated with golf in Latin America, with a total extension of 9,414 in diameter of Pinar del Río (west) and an investment capital estimated at one billion euros only in the first seven years of execution.n The megaproject will include two 18-hole golf courses, one of them with the singularity of being the only one in the world with a hole in the sea, reveals the Cuban state newspaper Granma.

“Punta Colorada Cuba Golf Marina” will have 1,250 rooms in three hotels, more than 1,700 units between villas, apartments and bungalows, and a marina with capacity for 300 berths, all by the joint venture Punta Colorada SA, formed by the state company Cubagolf and the Spanish group La Playa Golf & Resorts.

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INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL HAVANA, CUBA

Cuba’s authentic rhythms Every year celebrities and fans of the world of Jazz flock to Cuba as pilgrims to Mecca so to speak, for the International Jazz Festival of Havana. Cuba is a nation of intense rhythms, colors, emotions, aromas, and flavors. Cuba is like a music machine that pumps sound from wall to wall thus feeding the world’s music scene. Come visit Cuba and enjoy our Afro-Cuban rhythms from January 16th -20th, 2019.

Special Offer + VIP Credential:

Suggested Hotels: 5*

• VIP pass, preferential seats in all presentations.

• Access to all the areas inside the Festival.

• Visit the School of Music of the National School of Art (ENA) and exchange with its Jazz Band • Visit Record Companies and Recording Studios, which includes a meeting with Jazz Musician and CD of his collection • Visit the Community Project with children who love music • Dinner Concert with young and talented musicians of Talla Internacional • Printed musical program and theoretical event, Festival poster • All activities include round trip transfer

Hotel Nacional de Cuba (Headquarters of the festival) Iberostar Packard Iberostar Parque Central Melia Cohiba

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Suggested Hotels: 4* NH Capri Trip Habana Libre

Please contact adebasa@ividmc.travel for more information.

Costa Rica a hidden oasis

A nature-inspired retreat injected with the pura vida (pure life).

W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal Standing tall between beautiful beaches and the mangroves, W Costa Rica brings a fresh spin to a Costa Rica adventure. Nature gets boldly reinterpreted upon arrival, with a Living Room inspired by the local Guanacaste tree.

Check into 150 locally influenced rooms and suites, complete with a surf culture-inspired MIX Bar, with a keg of Imperial Ale ready to be tapped upon your arrival. Each room has a headboard inspired by local artwork, and a full glass enclosed shower providing incredible views.

An Eco Resort in Costa Rica Reserva Conchal’s sustainable development is not a system or a process – it’s a way of life. They have embraced this philosophy as their primary development strategy, focusing on the expansion of three complementary pillars that form the Reserva Conchal business plan: economic, social and environmental development.

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Starbucks Costa Rica Starbucks celebrates it´s 5th years in Costa Rica and continues its plan for local and regional expansion.

At this moment, this coffee stores chain has 35 stores in the region, distributed as follows: 11 in Costa Rica, 11 in El Salvador, 7 in Guatemala and 6 in Panama.

The brand presented the first brand of coffee grown in our country and sold in coffee shops, called Alsacia coffee. This product comes from the farm of the company, in Poás de Alajuela.

Costa Rica spreading smiles one coffee at a time Starbucks is opening up the doors of one its coffee farms to give the public a chance to see how it sources its beans.

About 45 minutes from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose sits a nearly 600-acre coffee farm called Hacienda Alsacia. Starbucks purchased it in 2013 and has used it as a global research and development facility.

Juan Valdez Stores in Costa Rica The chain of coffee shops Juan Valdez invested more than $ 200,000 in the opening of a store in Terrazas Lindora, this being their fourth point of sale in Costa Rican territory.

This brings to Costa Rica a great quality of coffee brands and flavors for coffee lovers. The brand has a clear mission: to captivate the world with Premium Colombian coffee while generating value to Colombian coffee growers.

Today, the Juan Valdez® Cafe brand is proudly executing that mission and can be found in hundreds of coffee shops and retailers in 22 countries.

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From clear turquoise seas to the coffee farms and cloud forests of Chiriquí, Panama never fails to delight.

Since the creation of the world-famous Panama Canal in 1914, this country has been at the heart of international shipping, serving as a connection point between the Pacific and the Caribbean.

Panama City is culturally diverse and driven, rough-edged yet sophisticated. And there’s much that’s new or improved. Take in the city’s funky particulars. Pedal the coastal green space, explore the Casco or attend an avant-garde performance and you will realize this tropical capital isn’t just about salsa: that’s just the backbeat In Panama, nature is all about discovery. Explore the ruins of Spanish forts on the Caribbean coast or boat deep into indigenous territories in a dugout canoe. Wildlife is incidental: a resplendent quetzal on the highland trail, an unruly troupe of screeching howler monkeys outside your cabin or a breaching whale that turns your ferry ride into an adrenaline-filled event.

PANAMA

A humming meotropolis inspired by coffee farms and sunkissed panoramas .

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Viceroy Bocas Del Toro Panama Announced for 2019 Viceroy Hotel Group has announced plans for Viceroy Bocas del Toro Panama, a 186-room resort and residences set to open in 2019.

There will be eight restaurants and lounges, ranging from an elite fine-dining enclave to a relaxed beach grill. Also planned will be an indoor meeting space, a fitness center, a cinema lounge, a library, and a spa featuring private rejuvenation pools.

The Ritz Carlton Reserve, Pearl Island The Ritz Carlton Reserve will be the first true, five-star branded beach resort real estate opportunity in Panama. Sure, there are several international-level luxury homes in Panama, including the towers of our home base of Punta Pacifica, as well as a sprinkling of resorts along the coast. But there is nothing like this Pearl development, which combines the island atmosphere with the Ritz’s well-established luxury brand.

The Ritz Carlton will put Panama on the jet set map, providing the type of exclusivity, privacy and ultra-luxury experience found in the most exclusive private islands in the Caribbean.

W Panama Explore the beauties of Villa Clara Cays and its marine life. Snorkel, scuba dive or simply dip into the cyan-blue waters.

Immerse yourself in the Cuban culture as you visit the nearby cities of Caibarien, Remedios and Santa Clara.

Angsana Cayo Santa Maria is the place to venture, relax, enjoy gastronomic delights and create memorable moments with your loved ones.

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A Coffee Lovers’ Paradise Everything you’d expect from a craft-style coffee roaster. Located inside the ATH in the Old Quarter of Panama City, this beautiful coffee spot is the place for an espresso, pour over, or iced coffee. Panama sourced beans of course.

Just to Name some of those Panamanian fines beans GEISHA (Champagne of the Coffees),ELIDA ESTATE,LA HARPÍA

The Fish Spa The Oxygen Bar this Practice is broadly known in the main European, American and Asian capitals.

Also, the Fish Pedicure Known for over 200 years in Asia, in recent years it has become very popular in Europe and the Americas, and now arrived in Panama

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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:

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.

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

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.

Credo: We are those neatly attired people in the turquoise blue and white uniforms. Many people call us ‘’the Smurfs’’.

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 2 or 3 different places at once, and are willing to do anything legally possible for our clients. You can find us popping up at airports, historical and archeological sites, deluxe resorts, charming hotels, golf courses, scenic beaches, and even at the best restaurants in town.

We enjoy Smurf teamwork because it’s fun and having fun doing our jobs 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 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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