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Year 11 Vol. 1, Issue 157
Cover Subject:
Directory
ALLURING NATURE AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE
Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM manolo@ividmc.travel
Second Generation, Innovator & President
Francisco BAEZA, DMCP fbaeza@ividmc.travel Vice President
• • •
Mexico Pages 4-12 Caribbean Pages 13-15 Central America Page 16, 17
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel General Comptroller Raquel MIJARES, CIS rmijares@ividmc.travel Corporate Marketing Director Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Quality Director
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Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing
Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel Content & Editing
Pages 18, 19
Dr. Travel’s - Travel Tip: Reach Out and Meet Someone
David MIS corp.image@ividmc.travel Design
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Jorge OROZCO, DMCP jorozco@myday.travel Managing Director - MyDay Travel
© Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
Destination Offices Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
South America
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI 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 South America Jorge OROZCO, DMCP Regional Managing Director jorozco@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, IVI DMC² Dominican Republic IVI DMC² Panama Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit Ramon RIJO, CIS David JOHNSON, CIS Jaime NELO, CMS, DMCP Regional Managing Director Associate Regional Managing Destination Managing Director Director rrijo@ividmc.travel jnelo@ividmc.travel djohnson@ividmc.travel IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS Corporate Marketing Director rmijares@ividmc.travel
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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, Planet Earth has thousands and thousands of places that are beautiful, marvelous and breathtaking. Some of them look so illusory that will dazzle you and move you to wonder, are they real? Latin America’s nature has a plethora of gifts for those willing to look for them. Some will be found in the conventional places, while other locations are less conventional, but equally winsome. Find scintillated skies, alluring beaches and otherworldly wildlife with our gamut of outdoorsy adventures. Let nature's wonder reveal itself and amaze you with its mountain peaks penetrating the clouds or with the tiny rainbow-colored fish weaving between coral reefs. Our nature reserves are the best excuse to get away of city life! You want to relax? Have a good time with your participants? Create new memories with your them? Then, come visit us and do all those things in one place! Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CMM Second Generation, Innovator & President
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LOS CABOS
Mexico is one of the countries with the greatest biological diversity in the world: between 10 and 12% of the species on the planet are in our territory, adding up to more than 200 thousand of them. To give us an idea of its richness, Mexico has 17 million hectares considered as natural protected areas such as sanctuaries that include whales and butterflies, among other species; in addition, Mexico occupies he first place in species of cacti. The state of Baja California Sur’s territory holds 20% of protected areas in the whole country. The great biodiversity of its territory makes this place one of the most attractive not only for students and researchers of biology, but also for ecotourism and especially for lovers of nature. Here’s a sample... RESERVE VIZCAINO
OF
THE
BIOSPHERE
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With more than 2 and a half million hectares, it is one of the largest in the world. It is located in the municipality of Mulegé and was declared as a reserve in 1988. It includes the Gray Whale Sanctuary in the Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio Lagoons in the south. It has a great variety of ecosystems: from extremely arid lands to mangroves, lagoons and wetlands of incalculable ecological value.
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LAGOONS OF MAGDALENA BAY With an area of 114,600 hectares, this place is considered one with the most abundant marine ecosystems on the planet. Marine species and migratory birds such as gray whales, turtles, dolphins, sea lions, herons, ducks and seagulls, among others, have their mating refuge in this haven. For the fishermen in the region, its commercial importance is vital because shrimp, lobster, abalone, clam, sole, snail, grouper, and snapper are caught in its waters.
NATIONAL MARINE PARK OF LORETO This area, which covers more than 200 thousand hectares, was declared a Marine National Park in 1996 with the purpose of protecting its great marine biodiversity and that of its nearby islands such as Coronado, del Carmen, Monserrat, Danzante, Catalana, and the Islets of Candeleros o Galeras. It is located in the Sea of CortĂŠs in front of Loreto. About 30 species of marine mammals in addition to other endemic reptiles, amphibians and insects have been identified in this park. Among its variety of birds, you can find yellow-legged gulls, ospreys and pelicans, among several others.
BAY OF LA PAZ This bay is one of the areas with the greatest marine biodiversity worldwide. Here, there are several important sites for diving such as "Bajo" where it is possible to observe hammerhead sharks. Nearby, the archipelago of Isla del EspĂritu Santo is home to a friendly colony of sea lions. Undoubtedly, the most sought-after species by visitors is the whale shark, a docile shark which is the largest fish in the world: it measures about 1520 meters and weighs up to 20 tons. They can be seen between September-January of each year. Also in this area, there are three sunken ships: the "Salvatierra", the "Lapas 03" and the "Fang Ming".
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MARINE NATIONAL PARK OF CABO PULMO It is located northeast of San JosĂŠ del Cabo and it is believed that it hosts the only living coral reef in the American continent whose age is approximately 25,000 years. It undoubtedly represents one of the most valuable underwater treasures in the world. It covers an area of more than 7,000 hectares; there is a community of around 300 people, who are mainly dedicated to ecotourism and to the care of this park through an association called "Friends of Cabo Pulmo". Since it was decreed as a National Marine Park in 1995, its protection has allowed the flora and fauna to recover in such a way that it is now possible to observe an increase in pelagic species such as bull sharks, tiger sharks, black tip, and a thriving community of coral, sea fans and sponges.
SIERRA DE LA LAGUNA It is another of the natural protected areas found in the state, between the municipalities of La Paz and Los Cabos. It is a mountain range in the middle of the desert where you can find the only dry forest of the entire peninsula and the only pine-oak forest in the entire southern peninsula. In this forest, some 70 species of plants have been registered, of which 15% are endemic. The Sierra La Laguna can be considered as an "island" of vegetation in the arid environment characteristic of the peninsula. The Reserve is composed of seven large canyons. The Reserve reaches elevations of almost 2,200 meters above sea level; the forest community is characterized, geomorphologically, by the presence of a semienclosed basin of approximately one square kilometer known as the La Laguna Valley.
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BAY OF CABO SAN LUCAS The biodiversity of this bay, one of the deepest in the world, offers in addition to the observation of a variety of reef fish and marine flora, the opportunity to have a unique experience: the sighting of the humpback whale and the gray whale. From December to April, and year after year, they keep an appointment with this place. In addition, you can also spot orcas, dolphins, and pilot whales. We cannot leave out the six species reserved for sport fishing know as billfishes: marlin (black, blue and striped), sailfish and swordfish; this type of fishing abides by the catch and release method, a practice carried out for a number of years. Other species in the area are goldfish, roosterfish, and tarpon.
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PUERTO VALLARTA & RIVERA NAYARIT Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit are sprinkled by many Natural reserves, where tropical birds, deer, crocodiles and many wild species live untouched by progress. Additionally to it, this extraordinary double destination is surrounded by an amazing natural reserve, Bahia de Banderas, full of countless wild species, including dolphins, giant stingrays and, of course, humpback whales that visit each year these unspoiled waters to give birth to the new generations of these huge mammals. The news about the dramatic reduction on the number of visitors who are now allowed to enter the beach inside one Marias Islands, has been well received and welcomed by the countless people interested on preserving this natural wonder. They have understood that the balance of this fragile ecosystem needs to be protected, so it can remain in perfect conditions, not just until next season, but for all the future generations of the species for whom it has been home and shelter for millenniums.
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CANCUN & RIVIERA MAYA Our ancestors revered and cared for nature because they depended completely on it and knew the importance it had in their survival. It is thanks to that knowledge inherited through time, that to date we continue to take care of our natural resources; in certain cases, it is necessary to designate a natural area as protected and limit the activity of the human being to guarantee its restoration and conservation for future generations. The protected natural areas are spaces of restricted access with the objective of maintaining the original flora and fauna qualities of these sites. According to UNESCO, Mexico is the country with the most natural reserves and protected areas in the world, holding a record of 40 of the 140 that are recognized by this institution. Mexico is also among the 5 countries with the highest biodiversity worldwide. The role of these spaces is very important for the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
ISLA CONTOY NATIONAL PARK. Better known as "the island of the birds". This small island is a sanctuary of flora and fauna thanks to its 70% of surface being mangrove. The rest of the surface is a resting and nesting area for species such as birds and sea turtles such as loggerheads and hawksbills. It also has a coral reef in the vicinity called Ixlache that is part of the second largest barrier reef in the world.
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COZUMEL REEF NATIONAL PARK is located in the southern part of the island and it is part of the "Great Western Atlantic Reef Belt" known as "Great Mayan Reef" belonging to the Mesoamerican Reef System, the second largest in the world. This great atoll with its great spots for diving, each with unique characteristics, is considered the perfect paradise for divers, both professionals and beginners, throughout Mexico. We can highlight spots such as Paradise, Chankanaab, Yucab, Santa Rosa, Palancar, Barracudas, among others. EL CIELO in Cozumel is a sandbar located 800 meters off of Cozumel’s shore; to reach it, it is necessary to go by catamaran. The beach has this name because of the amount of starfish that can be observed in shallow waters; the beauty of the turquoise blue waters seems to blend with the sky itself; you can also see hundreds of colorful fish, spotted stingrays, and even sea turtles!
RIO SECRETO: This system of caves and underground rivers, is located a few miles from Playa del Carmen; it is by far the longest non-flooded cave in Quintana Roo and the Yucatan Peninsula. But more than the length, what makes RĂo Secreto so special is the fact that it is a semi-flooded cave. Rio Secreto offers the opportunity for virtually anyone to discover the mysteries of the impressive underground universe of the Yucatan Peninsula without the need for specialized training in cave diving.
YAL-KU Is a paradise hidden 3 kilometers inside the town of Akumal; here the fresh waters that run through the water table of the Peninsula make their way to the sea, artistically eroding the limestone. Here the fresh and salty waters come together, creating a delicate and spectacular ecosystem.
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MONKEY SANCTUARY. Amongst the many fun activities in the Riviera Maya, there is a magical place submerged in the jungle, in the area: Akumal Monkey Sanctuary, which is home to various animal species that have been rescued or given in adoption. You will find zebras, goats, macaws, snakes, toucans, and of course, the cute spider and capuchin monkeys.
SANCTUARY OF THE SEA TURTLE XCACEL- XCACELITO. It has a peculiar feature of upwellings of groundwater at the seashore, which favors unique conditions for the growth of aquatic vegetation, and thus an abundance in juvenile fish and coral, some considered as threatened species. The unique characteristics of this slice of paradise favor the thriving of white turtles and loggerheads who love coming here to nest.
BIOSPHERE OF THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN. This is the largest Protected Natural Area (ANP) in Mexico, with five million 754 thousand hectares. The Biosphere Reserve of the Mexican Caribbean represents 50% of the Mesoamerican Reef System. In its marine portion, the area of the Biosphere Reserve is located in front of the municipalities of Lรกzaro Cรกrdenas, Isla Mujeres, Benito Juรกrez, Solidaridad, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel , Tulum, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Bacalar and Othรณn P. Blanco from the state of Quintana Roo.
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SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and occupies approximately 650 thousand hectares along 120 kilometers from North to South. It includes beaches, dunes, cenotes, coral reefs, and a tropical jungle, where more than 300 species of birds and more than 1,000 of plants and 100 of animals live. Sian ka'an means "where the sky is born" in Mayan and was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1987.
CALAKMUL BIOSPHERE RESERVE. Established on May 23, 1989; In 1993 it joined the International Network of the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) of UNESCO. It is the largest Mexican reserve of rainforest and offers a natural setting of a vast flora and fauna. Here we can find impressive felines such as the tigrillo, the jaguar, and the puma as well as other species such as the white-tailed deer, the armadillo, the anteater, the howler monkey and the spider monkey. You can also find more than 350 species of birds, 16 of amphibians, 400 butterflies and 50 of reptiles. Among its attractions there is the archeological site of Calakmul, that is estimated to have had more than 50 thousand inhabitants in its heyday.
RÍA CELESTÚN BIOSPHERE RESERVE is one of the reserves with the greatest richness of species and ecosystems; its main attraction is the observation of different types of migratory birds that arrive at the place to rest, feed and reproduce. Among the 300 species of birds, the most common is the pink flamingo that will surprise you because of its large size and colors. The Ria’s landscapes, both terrestrial and aquatic, are truly beautiful and we are sure you will love them. The flamingos season is from the end of October to mid January.
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CUBA SIERRA DE LOS ÓRGANOS is a mountainous territory belonging to the Guaniguanico mountain range that extends west of the San Diego River to the vicinity of the town of Guane, occupying an area of 563 km2. It is a national park declared Cultural Patrimony and of the Humanity by UNESCO in 1999, and it is a national monument of Cuba. The green landscape of the Valley of Viñales, formed by extensive fields of tobacco cultivation, rice fields and forests have earned the nickname of "the Garden of Cuba." It is believed that the whole valley used to be covered by the sea since there are fossils of ammonoids, fish, and even dinosaurs from the Jurassic period. Within the national park there are murals from the prehistoric era, as well as a cave system, the largest in the Caribbean.
BUENAVISTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE is located in the center-north of the Cuban archipelago; it boast an area of 313,502 has, constituted by terrestrial, coastal and marine areas of high ecological value and high biological diversity. It includes parts of the Provinces of Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus and Ciego de Ávila, and includes a section of the Sabana-Camaguey keys. It has 11 core areas, protected sites of greater significance in the territory; in these core areas, diverse ecosystems and habitats appear, such as mangroves, coral reefs, active dune zones, etc. The transition zone shows marine areas with a diversity of keys (the best known being the Cayos de Piedra) and waterfowl breeding sites. The mangrove is the most widespread type of vegetation in the reserve and serves as a reservoir for various species of fauna.
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC NATIONAL PARK OF THE EAST. Through a new four-year agreement, Grupo Puntacana, which owns and operates Punta Cana Resort & Club, will be the host organization and Corales golf course will remain the tournament course. The Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship will be held for the second time on the Web.com Tour. It will debut March 19-25, 2018, the same week as the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, and it will offer 300 FedExCup points to the winner and carry a purse of at least USD$3 million.
THE INDIGENOUS EYES ECOLOGICAL PARK AND RESERVE is a private protected area located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Consisting of lowland subtropical forest, the reserve is 1,500 acres of land dedicated to conservation, scientific research, and recreation. This reserve has twelve freshwater lagoons, five of which visitors can swim in. Historians discovered that the Taíno Indians, the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the island, referred to the lagoons as “eyes” because of their distinctive shape. For this reason the Ecological Park and Reserve was named “Indigenous Eyes.” This Ecological Reserve is our hidden gem, a paradise on earth.
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LOS HAITISES NATIONAL PARK. Taking its name from “highlands” or “mountain range”, this coastal marine park stretches along the bay of Samana and is one of the country’s most desired eco-tourism spots. It is veiled in incredible forest cover, sprinkled with picturesque mangroves, and it is home to a multitude of caverns adorned with native pictographs. It’s also home to most of the Dominican’s native species of birds including a large population of pelicans. The fauna of Los Haitises is of great variety, and due to the park's diversity of physical geographic zones, it boasts the greatest representability of fauna among the protected natural areas in the country.
JOSÉ DEL CARMEN RAMÍREZ NATIONAL PARK is located in the inland region of the Dominican Republic, in the central mountain range. It is one of the country’s oldest national parks. The Antilles’ highest peak, Duarte Peak (3,175 m), is located in this park and is one of the country’s main ecotourism attractions. The Yaque del Sur River springs in this area, and together with its tributaries, they form the main water source of San Juan Valley. Its vegetation is mainly composed of conifer forests, guaranas, palms, tamarinds, and many more. If you are an animal lover, come and spot a huge variety of wildlife in the park such as Cimarron hogs and hutias.
JARAGUA NATIONAL PARK. The park is formed by marine terraces and coastal plains. The wildlife is mainly composed of 130 bird species (10 of them are endemic) that inhabit the park’s 1,374 square kilometers. It is an important reserve for solenodons and hutias, two endangered terrestrial species, and for Antillean manatees that feed on nourishment found in the park’s marine grass areas. Bottlenose dolphins can be usually observed near Alto Velo Island. Here it is located Bahía de las Águilas (Eagles’ Bay), an ideal setting for adventure and ecotourism lovers.
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COSTA RICA As green as it gets! Costa Rica is truly a gem when it comes to nature; it's a living zoological museum, a geographic terrarium! And how wonderful it is that Costa Ricans are taking the best care possible of this treasure. While the country represents only about 0.1 percent of the world's land mass, it contains 5 percent of the world's biodiversity. Iit's home sweet home to more than 500,000 species; we are among the top 20 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world. Now more than 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves. There are 32 national parks, 8 biological reserves, 13 forest reserves, and 51 wildlife refuges. For instance, LA SELVA BIOLOGICAL STATION has been a pioneer in education, research, and conservation in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Heredia, Costa Rica. La Selva and the Braulio Carrillo National Park are part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE will astound visitors with its beauty, charm, and vast biodiversity.
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PANAMA Because of its unique geographical position, Panama harbors a great diversity of wildlife more than most countries in Central America. Panama is home to many South American as well as North American species. Today about 29% of Panama's land area is protected in 14 national parks, more than a dozen forest reserves and 10 wildlife refuges. Panama hosts almost 1,000 species of birds, as well as 220 mammals and 354 reptiles and amphibians. The country also owns hundreds of islands and miles of protected coral reef, sheltering a fantastic diversity of marine life.
Panama birding sites are well renowned by birdwatchers. Its forests and mangroves harbor such colorful and varied life that is the delight of naturalists, scientists and visitors in general. In the vicinity of Coiba Island there is the largest coral reef of the Pacific in Central America.
DARIEN GAP (UNESCO World Heritage Site )
COIBA (UNESCO World Heritage Site )
LA AMISTAD PARK (UNESCO World Heritage Site )
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SAN SAN POND SAK
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Travel Tip: Reach Out and Meet Someone One of the most interesting ways to pass the time on a plane is to chat with your seatmate. By talking with the person next to you, you may meet Mr. or Mrs. Wonderful, share a laugh, or possible acquire a new business client. If your seatmate doesn’t want to talk, chat with the flight attendant. Sure, they’re working and can’t talk for more than a few minutes at a time, but on long flights, they also get bored and may be looking for a conversation. The person most people would like to sit next to on a long flight? According to one survey, it’s Oprah Winfrey. (Taken from page 161) 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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