CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest - Year 10 Vol. 1, 200

Vol. 1, No. 200

DIRECTORY

INDEX

Visionary, Founder and Dream Seller: 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 - Staying in touch with our friends via online meetings

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

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A look at the Virgen De Los Angeles Pilgrimage in Costa Rica

Marketing: Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP

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rmijares@ividmc.travel

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Corporate Quality Director:

A g l i m p s e in t o Lo s C abos’ h an dicraf t s, festi vi ti es an d cu lin ary sc e nes

Julia ORTIZ, CES, CMS jortiz@ividmc.travel IT Manager: Angel PEREZ

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cun.sistemas2@ividmc.travel

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Omar DELGADILLO corp.news@ividmc.travel

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Panama’s traditional dance and customs

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Day of the Dead and Traditional Pilgrimages in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit

Content & Editing:

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A cultural, rhythmic paradise in the Dominican Republic

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Hanal Pixán plus traditional festivities in the Mexican Caribbean

Destination offices

Cover subject: Latin America’s traditions and festivities that inspire 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

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

Destination Manager

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 2020. All Rights Reserved.

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT. Dear reader, The Latino community is known for its warmth and deep cultural roots, including music, dance, and tradition. From sacred parades, Catholic holidays, food-driven celebrations to music festivals, there are endless opportunities for locals or travelers to immerse themselves in the colorful Latino culture. Plan your extraordinary event with our leading quality of service. Our accomplishments 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 DMC 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 loyal, honest and successful partners maximizing the return on 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 to incentives, corporate meetings, conventions, congresses, special events and VIP vacations, providing memorable experiences that leave a mark in each of the destinations in which we operate; maximizing the return on investment to shareholders.

Flying along with the I-Bee Squad

September has come and gone! A very exciting month full of new adventures, as little by little, our beloved meetings and events industry is slowly recovering. This makes us very happy!

At the beginning of the month, our team from IVI DMC Los Cabos visited the brand new Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palma. They were welcomed

by Colin Daley, Director of Sales. It was a great day, and our team was astonished by this incredible resort!

In other news, we have continued having online meetings with our industry friends and partners. First, caught up with our good friend Valerie Delaney with the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) to present new updates from each of our destinations. It is an honor to be part of this great association with whom we have been members for several years now. ADMEI is the premier resource for education, standards, and practices for DMCs from around the globe.

Then we had a meeting with our friends Jeanne Debo and Michael Gongre from Galactic Performance Solutions. We truly appreciate their interest in our destinations in the Caribbean & Latinamerica and we hope to have the opportunity to team-up with them soon.

We also had a meeting with our good friends Sarah Nelson & Bridgette Collin from Creative Group, Inc. We loved sharing all updates from each of our different destinations and companies. We are very grateful for their trust of more than 30 years.

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Additionally, we also hosted a meeting with our friends David Manzella, Julieta Hernandez, and Lina Tovar from Grupo Posadas! We had a great time and discussed new updates in their hotels, as well as in our companies.

The last meeting we had last month was with our client and good friend Mario Mendez from Helmsbriscoe. All of our Regional Directors presented updates from each of our destinations. It was a very productive meeting, and we had a lot of fun! We also had the opportunity to welcome Mario at the Riviera Nayarit, where he was able to learn more about the unparalleled properties this destination has to offer and experience the extraordinary hospitality of its representatives.

If that wasn’t enough, he was also able to enjoy the gastronomy of which the Riviera Nayarit is so proud. Furthermore, he had time to fly between the tips of the Sierra Madre and admire one of the best views of the Mexican Pacific at Rancho Vista Paraiso. IVI DMC took care of the transportation service from arrival and during his entire visit.

“Everything has gone fantastic in Riviera Nayarit, your team has been really warm and an excellent host in the destination. Jaime, you have been an exceptional aid for me.” - Mario Mendez In other news, we welcomed an important group in Los Cabos! We had an amazing time as we missed meeting face to face with our clients. We want to thank Melissa DeLeon & MTI Events for their trust and for being excellent partners throughout the years.

We also had the opportunity to welcome our dear friend Michael Butler from Brightspot Incentives & Events, who was attending an extensive site inspection in our Mexican Caribbean. It was exciting to see a familiar face and be able to showcase all the safety and hygiene protocols our destination has implemented to keep our visitors safe!

What a great month as we continue working passionately to make YOU look GREAT!

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Welcome to the DQuest.travel family!

This month wish to welcome two very good friends with vast experience in the industry to our team at DQuest.travel by IVI DMC Enterprises. We can’t wait for you to meet them and look forward to sharing all the adventures that we will experience together.

Verónica Sarmiento With more than 25 years in the hospitality industry, centered around the luxury market, Verónica Sarmiento joins DQuest.travel 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 stage of hotels such as Park Hyatt St Kitts, Hyatt Regency Cartagena, Andaz Mayakoba, among others.

She enjoys team collaboration and strategic focus on Sales and Marketing to achieve your 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 savoring signature Mazatlecan dishes.

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Darryl Wheeler Darryl Wheeler joins the team as Vice President - Global Sales.

An extensive 25 plus-year executive management experience in meeting planning, special events, and destination management, make Darryl a valuable resource to any organization looking to plan an event.

Originally from Southern Ontario, he graduated with a diploma in Hospitality and Tourism from Centennial College. Darryl’s tourism background started from his early days at a Toronto-based Destination Management Company as a Tour Guide. He quickly worked his way up to Program Manager and then Director of Operations.

He began his Western Canada career as Manager of a large Catering & Event Company and then accepted a position as Director of Operations for an international DMC/Event Production agency based in Vancouver. During this tenure, he also opened and managed an office for the agency in Banff, Alberta.

In 2001, he launched his own DMC/Event company - Max West. The Company fulfilled over 1,800 meetings, incentives, and events throughout Western Canada before selling his majority ownership and divesting completely in 2014.

Click here to learn more about DQuest.travel.

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Los Cabos

Los Cabos is located in the southern state of Baja California at the end of the peninsula known as Finisterra or the End of the Earth since if once ventures all the way down you will reach Antarctica.

During the colonial period, Cabo San Lucas was known as a link port between Manila and the Port of Acapulco due to the Naos vessels that transported silk, spices, and as it was also a point for resupplying water and food for sailors and Spanish pirates. Cabo San Lucas was discovered by Francisco de Ulloa in 1537. From that date, it became a point guarded by both parties, creating the government of New Spain the foundation of a fort and a Jesuit mission by Father Nicolas de Tamaral in San Jose del Cabo in the year 1733.

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Gastronomy Los Cabos is characterized by being a coastal territory making the use of products from the sea as its main ingredient for local cuisine.In rural areas, they have their unique dishes. In the central rural areas, red meat dishes stand out, since it is here that cattle farming is practiced as one of the main economic activities.

Among the most outstanding dishes you will find: clam in brine or stuffed, fish tacos (highlighting those of smoked marlin and shrimp), lobster and “dorado” fish ceviche “machaca” burrito, beef birria, imperial filet; as for sweets, chimango (like a churro), mango jam, the most famous, and pitahaya ice cream which is a typical fruit of the region. On the other hand, if you like more elaborate dishes, the destination of Los Cabos has restaurants with different culinary styles that range from organic, seafood, meats, high-end gourmet restaurants; an example of this is the most expensive taco in the world valued at $25,000 USD each.

Beverages The most traditional “Aguas Frescas” vary depending on the season. They can be pitahaya – strawberry and mango which are very refreshing during the summertime. The liqueurs one can find are the Damiana liquor which thanks to the Guaycura tribe, they created one of the original drinks of Baja California Sur which is made from the bright yellow flower that of the same name, this drink, according to the indigenous people themselves, has aphrodisiac, digestive and relaxing qualities to whoever consumes it.

Similarly, in several of the restaurants in the area of ​​Los Cabos, we can find a wide variety of drinks ranging from craft beers to unique drinks as the bartenders, who specialize as Mixologists, continuously give a refreshing and exotic touch to the various venues of the destination.

Handicrafts; the heart, sweat, and soul of a community.

The Torote is a vegetable fiber with which basketry pieces are made, such as baskets, vases, and containers. With palm leaves, they make purses, bags, hats, among other things, that people usually use as a perfect outfit for a day at the beach. You cannot miss the jewelry objects that they make with the seashells; necklaces, bracelets, ornaments; or, ornamental elements such as jewelry and vessels, as well as the pieces made with blown glass where local artisans show their skill in handling the glass which is recycled is a must.

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The artisans of Baja California Sur use the Torote tree, palm leaves, and shells, as their main elements to give life to their creations and works of art that all tourists adore and without a doubt acquire to keep a memory of their stay in the region.

Festivities Currently highlighting the Art Walk that takes place in downtown San Jose where local artists entice with their art galleries and a courtesy glass of wine or hors d’oeuvres, which takes place every Thursdays in downtown San Jose del Cabo from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Craft festival in March in El Triunfo Traditional festivals of San Jose del Cabo in November to July each year.

March Traditional festivals in May in Caduaño Also, some internationally notable events feature: The pitahaya festival in July in Miraflores The mango festival in July in Santiago and Todo Santos in late July • Todo Santos Music Festival in January Traditional festivals of Cabo San Lucas in • Todo Santos Art Festival in February • San Jose Jazz Weekend in February October • Todo Santos Film Festival in March • Los Cabos Open Water Challenge in April • Stars and Stripes Fishing Tournament in Cabo San Lucas in July • Los Cabos Mifel Tennis Open in Cabo San Lucas in July • Annual Bisbee’s Fishing Tournament in Cabo San Lucas in October

Los Cabos is a relatively young destination and in its surroundings, one can give themselves the pleasure of visiting some nearby towns that offer us great events such as: • • • • • •

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Day of Dead in

Puerto Vallarta & Riveira Nayarit It has always been said that Mexicans have a very special way of honoring the dead and commemorating death.

In Mexico, the popular belief that the souls of the deceased return to Earth during the Day of the Dead causes people to place offerings to welcome them. If you plan on having your incentive program at the end of October in Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas, you will have the opportunity to witness the vibrant celebrations that honor the deceased in this paradisiacal corner of the Mexican Pacific.

The Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas is characterized by a display of color and creativity that delights locals and surprises visitors through parades, contests, festivals; music, literature, and cinema that enrich this unique celebration. This holiday is not limited to the family as the entire community, companies, and public institutions also partake in this ceremony. From Thursday, October 31, and until November 3, Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas prepare numerous activities that will allow guests to experience this ancient cultural manifestation first-hand.

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The essential elements of this festival are the altars with their offerings; a different representation of our understanding of death full of meanings.

If this celebration is surprising, just imagine Las Caletas Sayulita is a town that has gained worldwide all of it in front of the sea. Without a doubt an fame for its beaches and picturesque streets experience that you have to live. that have lured countless tourists, but it is in the celebration of the Day of the Dead, one of the ceremonies that highlight its attractiveness.

The celebration includes a cultural festival in the main square with the presentation of magnificent numbers whose theme focuses on the day of the dead. There is also a night walk from the square to the cemetery, in which an exhibition of truly spectacular altars of the dead are mounted and the atmosphere is filled with nostalgia, beauty, and mysticism.

Day Of The Dead in Sayulita, Bahia De Banderas Nayarit

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Traditional Pilgrimages Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit’s calendar is full of festivities, all of them abounding with tradition. It would be difficult to mention them all, so, we will mention the most important one – the Peregrinaciones (Pilgrimages and processions) for our Lady of Guadalupe in December. Pilgrimages are trips or tours to a place considered sacred and with strong religious influence, usually composed by one or several devotees.

Puerto Vallarta dresses up with long tablecloths to welcome this celebration. From December 1st through the 12th, tours are organized by local companies, schools, and locals, where they parade through the streets of the city center towards the Church of Guadalupe. These tours are accompanied by allegorical cars with images that denote Juan Diego’s encounter with the Virgin of Guadalupe.

This story tells that on December 12th, 1531, as Juan Diego was on his way to the Santa Cruz of Tlatelolco, once he was at the hill of Tepeyac, he heard a celestial voice; as he approached, he was dazzled by the figure of a woman who requested of him to tell the Bishop her wishes for a temple to be built on her behalf. Juan Diego searched and found the Bishop and when he told him the story, he did not believe him. The bishop requested for proof. Juan Diego showed one of his pieces of garment and the image of the Virgin appeared painted on it. Since then that is a very important date for Mexicans.

Attending pilgrimages is a gastronomic experience. The downtown area of ​​Puerto Vallarta is filled with stalls where you can find delicious Mexican snacks, from traditional tamales or toast with stews, to slices of Yelapa’s exquisite coconut pie.

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Mexican Caribbean

The traditions and customs of Quintana Roo are the result of the mixture of the culture of the Mayan civilization and the customs of the Spanish colonizers.

The state of Quintana Roo is part of the Yucatan Peninsula, which is formed by 3 states: Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche.

Therefore, most of the traditions and customs are shared with Yucatan and Campeche.

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Cozumel Carnival It has been held in San Miguel de Cozumel for more than 140 years, which is why it is considered one of the most important heritage events in Quintana Roo. It is ,together with the Campeche Carnival, the only one that has preserved carnival expressions of historical value in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is distinguished by its tourist potential, its cultural aspects, its organization, and its family spirit. The Tourism Promotion Council of Mexico recognizes it as one of the 8 most representative carnivals in Mexico, along with Veracruz, Mazatlan, Campeche, Merida, Morelos, Tlaxcala, and Oaxaca. In 2015 it was summoned by the Association of Caribbean States to be part of the Caribbean Carnival Network on behalf of Mexico.

The island Carnival is consolidated thanks to its organization and its citizen participation. Its economic and social repercussions make it the most anticipated event on the island and an icon of its popular identity. Ballroom dances and galas make up more than half of the program and bring together up to 5,000 people in each event, they take place in the Carnival Palace, an area that can be variable. The dates of celebration move according to Ash Wednesday, being an important aspect of the Cozumel Carnival it has a duration of exactly one month, due to its popular Pre-Carnival celebration.

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Hanal Pixán

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration of pre-Hispanic origin, considered one of the most important festivals of many indigenous and mestizo communities. However, it is not a tradition entirely of Hispanic origin, but rather a fusion of two traditions; The Native and the Spanish. A mixture of diverse cultural elements with a characteristic touch that differentiates it in each region or state, such as Mexico, where the celebration varies a bit according to the region, but they coincide in one characteristic; celebrate ancestors and the opportunity for them to return to share with the living. The origins of this celebration of the Day of the Dead in Mexico predate the arrival of the Spanish, as there is a record of this celebration in civilizations such as Purépecha, Maya, Totonaca, and Náhuatl.

Quintana Roo celebrates the Hanal Pixán, which means “food of the souls”, it is a ceremony and offering dedicated to deceased family and friends, from October 31st to November 2nd, when, according to tradition, the deceased can visit the world of the living, and then they must return to the underworld of the dead, among the Mayans it was called Xibalbá. October 31st is commemorated to the deceased children, November 1st is dedicated to the adults and November 2nd is dedicated to all saints.

In commemoration of the dead, they prepare an altar where they place water and salt (as a representation of the origin and the end of life), they also prepare a Mukbil Pollo (tamale stuffed with meat stew and corn broth) as the main dish.

During the Hanal Pixán it is common for people to wear typical clothing and paint their faces with skulls. Xcaret Ecological Park has become the host of these celebrations where they showcase an incredibly artistic, gastronomic, and craft program. These special dates are from October 30th to November 2nd and it is better known as Tradition of Life and Death, where visitors enjoy different shows alluding to these celebrations. If you are in Cancun or Riviera Maya on these dates, don’t miss out!

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Riviera Maya Jazz Festival It is one of the most famous events of its kind hosted in this incredible tourist destination in Mexico. You can enjoy music from the best jazz artists recognized worldwide, gathered in the paradise of the Caribbean.

These shows take place in well-known places such as the central park, in front of the City Hall Palace of Playa del Carmen, and are designed for the enjoyment of everyone. The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival has been held since 2003 in Playa del Carmen, normally coinciding with Thanksgiving weekend. The format of the festival is centered on a series of open-air concerts, in an atmosphere of syncretism that seeks to mix various genres to provide the audience with an unforgettable experience.

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COSTA RICA Virgen De Los Angeles Pilgrimage

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In the Colonial Period, Cartago was the main city for Spaniards in Costa Rica and its capital. Around it, were several towns home to native Indians. The Spanish laws of that time prohibited mulattoes and pardos (free blacks) from passing from the Cruz de Caravaca, living scattered to the east of the city.

On August 2, 1635, a humble young woman who lived in a place called Puebla de los Pardos, collected firewood as usual in the middle of the forest. On a rock, near a spring, a small stone sculpture of a woman with a baby in her arms was found. She decided to take it home, where she kept it in a drawer. The next day, he returned to the site of the first find and discovered another one equal in size to the one found the day before. She also took it home to keep it next to the other, but when looking for it, he noticed that it was not there. The same happened on the third day, but this time she took it to the local priest, Alonso de Sandoval, who kept it in a chest. The next day, the clergyman opened the box and to his surprise, it was missing. The young woman returned to the place of the discovery and found the image there, taking it back to the priest who kept it inside the tabernacle. The next day he opened the tabernacle and did not find it, so he declared that it was a message from the Virgin Mary: she wanted to be in the forest, around the brown town, with the poor and the humble. And so, they built a small temple in her honor, where the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady Queen of the Angels is currently located.

The small image was baptized with the name of Virgen Morena and later was called Virgen de Los Ángeles, because on August 2 the Franciscans celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Angels. For this reason, it is certain that the find occurred on that day, but not the exact year, it is estimated that it was before 1639 although some assume that it was in 1635.

Sustained on the lintel of the main entrance of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, illustrating the finding of the image by Juana Pereira. The woman who found this image is known as Juana Pereira, it is said that she was a young peasant woman from the place, others also affirm that she was mulatto, and it seems that it was lost in the history of Costa Rica. It’s existed is confirmed due to the writings of the time and of the Church prove it, however, it was not followed up after the discovery of the image of the Virgin. The second Archbishop of San José, Víctor Sanabria Martínez, tried to recover data about her. In his investigations, he detected that the majority of women in that area were called Juana and had the surname Pereira. When he did not find the identity of this girl, he called her “Juana Pereira” as a tribute to all the peasant women of the time of that young woman who found the image of Our Lady of the Angels. In them, it was intended to extend the honor to the entire indigenous and Afro-descendant culture of Costa Rica.

Since then, every August 2, a pilgrimage is held from all corners of Costa Rica to the basilica of Cartago, each person with an intention or promise.

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Panama Catholic religion and African culture; the essence of Congo Myths, magic, and songs are a fervent sample of the ancient African roots that have survived through countless generations, preserved to this day through one of the most representative traditions of the province of Colรณn, where the population is predominantly African American.

The movements of black men and women are inherent to their nature. The Congo dance is a set of movements of each one, which does not have a specific or-

der, rather they are intrinsic in each person who develops the dance; some do it with sensuality, others with feeling, with very particular expressions, with life messages, recalling situations, with religiosity, with joy, with sadness, with pain, full of life, with regret, in the form of a game, spontaneously, naturally, with rhythm. Recognized

by Unesco as an intangible heritage.

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Pollera (Traditional costume) Festival Every July 22nd, the National Pollera Festival is glorified. It is organized within the framework of the Santa Librada festivities in the city of Las Tablas, Los Santos province, the place where the luxury skirt originates. It is the official outfit of Panamanian women and a variation of the Spanish colonial attire of their time adapted to the needs and climate of the region. Therefore, in Panama, wearing a skirt is fundamental to the structure of the entire dress, from the head ornaments (tembleques), combs, gold jewelry box, the two-piece suit embroidered worked in fine fabrics and black shoes.

To highlight this traditional custom, each year the Parade of the Thousand Polleras is held in the Las tabla region with the participation of thousands of women who go out to parade their regional dresses in the streets, accompanied by music bands and floats (Parade).

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Black Christ of Portobelo The cult of the Black Christ of Portobelo is celebrated on October 21. It is believed that he arrived in town on that date in 1658, while others say that on that day Christ was taken out in procession to call for an end to a smallpox epidemic that ceased the next morning.

60 men carry the Christ on a litter during his tour of the town, these are volunteers who take turns walking him until he returns to his place in the church, marching to the sound of the drums, those carrying “the anda” take two steps forward and three backwards, resembling the movement of the sea through which I arrived. Also every year the Christ (Nazarene) showcases dresses made by the same women of Portobelo Town.

Corpus Christi of Panama It dates back to medieval times and reached America at the time of the Spanish conquest.

The date of its celebration is precisely 60 days from Easter Sunday. Corpus Christi is celebrated around the months of May or June, a traditional manifestation carried out in the town of La Villa de Los Santos, and Los Santos province — a ceremony highly revered by its inhabitants.

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Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is synonymous with festivities, traditions, and a peculiar culture.

The Dominican culture is a conformation of mainly the two mother cultures being Spanish and African. There is little residue of the indigenous culture, as in less than 50 years the indigenous inhabitants of the island of Santo Domingo were exterminated by forced labor to which they were exposed to by the Spaniards.

The African expression that stands out the most in Dominican culture can be seen in the music of Palos or Atabales, also known as Bambulรก or Quiyombo. This musical tradition uses different types of percussion instruments in its religious rites and secular celebrations.

These instruments classified as membranophones, tubular and cylindrical are single head or leather and are played in sets of two or three. These drums are differentiated into several types according to the construction of the tie (nailed, tied, etc). The drums are available in different sizes and are usually made by either using soft or easy-to-hollow woods.

On some occasions, tree trunks already hollowed by woodpeckers or termites are used.

These percussion instruments are very similar to the Brazilian Tambora (used in macumba ceremonies) and to the Cuban tumbadora.

A cultural, rhythmic, and traditional retreat It is important to note that the Dominican culture and musical heritage goes far beyond merengue, bachata, the sympathy of salsa, and the traditional rhythms of mangulina and carabiné (folk dances). In several small villages as well as in the different cities, there are valuable musical traditions, generally denied and relegated by the authorities and the upper social classes, causing its unpopularity and scarce knowledge by a good part of the Dominican people (specifically the middle and upper classes). Also, the opposition and interference of the Catholic Church who categorizes these musical demonstrations as an offering into their beliefs (being none Catholic). Added by racism, xenofobia and the stigma that this type of music links the Dominicans with the African, Negroid, and Haitian side makes it hard for this tradition to persist and survive. Only a small amount of groups still practice these traditions.

Carnival Carnaval is perhaps the most traditional and important manifestation of the Dominican culture. It is compiled by various artistic expressions, symbols, and images.

Music, dance, and creativity are exposed to a maximum in each of the parades that are held across the island during the month of February and culminating with a large parade in Santo Domingo with a representation of the different provinces. The main Carnivals are held in the provinces of La Vega (the Devils “Cojuelos”); Santiago (typical masks “Los Lechones”); Montecristi (the “Bulls and Civilians”); San Francisco de Macorís (the “Papeluses”); San Pedro de Macorís (the “Buloyas”); and the Devils “Cojuelos” in the rest of the country.

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Merengue Festival The Merengue Festival takes place in Santo Domingo during the last week of July and the first week of August, and in Puerto Plata (North Coast) in October. These events include the participation of the best performers of merengue music on the island as well as some artists from Puerto Rico.

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Our destinations are ready!

Mark your calendars!

Let our destinations speak for themselves on their beauty and security & safety protocols led by our IVI DMC Staff and our wonderful partners.

Los Cabos For centuries, Los Cabos was a land of pirates and hidden treasures. Today it is a booming resort destination. Upscale hotels, trendy spas, luxury villas, and boutique inns abound. Los Cabos, or “Cabo” as it’s affectionately called, is located at the southern tip of Baja California, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez.

Reserve your spot: Essential Los Cabos - November 1-5, 2020 Yazmin ELOSEGUI - yelosegui@ividmc.travel

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Mexican Caribbean This is a unique location offering a 3 in 1 destination: the warmth of the Caribbean, the amazing Mayan heritage, and colorful Mexico. The Mexican Caribbean is the gateway to the Maya world that offers interesting archaeological sites and colonial cities.

Reserve your spot: Essential Mexican Caribbean - November 6-10, 2020 Ximena LOPEZ - cun.planning2@ividmc.travel Click below to learn more about the safety & security protocols of our allies as well as ours for your assurance.

• • • •

IVI DMC Enterprises Esperanza Chileno Bay Grupo Posadas Travel with Confidence

We make YOU look GREAT! Page 31

What our client’s have to say.

“

We love our Panama team! You are efficient, professional and fun and you want the same things we do - to make a great experience for our attendances. Mission accomplished. Thank you for rolling with all the last minute requests.

You ROCK! You made us look awesome!

“

Jen Sieck | Program Manager

“

Sarah Albracht | Director of Media Marketing

“

Jaime, Thank you and your team for a fantastic inaugural Leaders Circle! We truly could not have done it without partners like you!

Jose-Manuel, you have built an incredible organization. Your team is talented and dedicated to the business. Thank you very much for your continued support of Creative Group and of our recent Leaders Circle event!

“

“

Ximena was very nice to work with! Efren was very patient, which I appreciate because I ask lots of questions. Thanks Efren! Alberto was great! Our guests really appreciated how helpful he was.

Mary Dews |​Sr. Account Manager

Doctor Travel’s cure for the common trip Travel insurance is essential!

As avid travelers, we sometimes overlook the small and less pleasant tasks on our traveling list; and travelers’ insurance is one of them. We’ve heard of some not so appealing news regarding incidents that at times end up piling to huge debts. Most of us love bringing back cherished memories, perhaps a souvenir or two, but the last thing we want to bring back are debts from something that can be avoided.

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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.

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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 and Dream Seller

Raquel MIJARES rmijares@ividmc.travel

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