1
AWARDS
Tr a v e l e r s ' C h o i c e Awards 2016 VELAS RESORTS
Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit have once again been named among the best in the world in TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travelers’ Choice Awards. The Grand Velas resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit earned spots in the top 10 all-inclusive resorts in the world while all four Velas resorts were named among top allinclusives in Mexico. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was also listed among the top hotels in Mexico for service, and Grand Velas Riviera Maya for families. Both Grand Velas Resorts were also highlighted among the top 25 best luxury hotels in Mexico. This is the first year all four Velas properties have received the elite honor, awarded to the top 1% of all hotels on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site reaching 315 million unique monthly visitors, based on user reviews. To know all the winners, please visit: www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice.
2
3
AGENTS
Velas Exper ts Renovation VELAS VALLARTA Velas Resorts has expanded its incentive bonus program for travel agents. The industry-favorite Velas Resorts Experts program, where agents become experts on the properties online by completing video lessons and quizzes for each resort, enhances the online relationship between the resorts and agents. As each resort is learned and quizzes passed, the agent becomes more qualified and moves up in the different levels of certification: Velas Expert, Master Agent, and Elite Agent. Agents are rewarded with generous bonuses and access to complimentary nights, suite upgrades and VIP amenities for their clients, as well as a 50% extra bonus for all reservations and qualified bookings made during the first month of their Velas Expert registration. This bonus is in addition to any commissions made. A referral program is also valid where, in addition to all of the above benefits, agents are also awarded for referring teammates to the Velas Experts program. Payment of bonuses take place within 30 days after the customers have left the hotel. The Velas Resorts Experts program offers three levels of easily obtained certification for travel agents. The Velas Expert must book 1-29 room nights and become a certified expert in at least one hotel to earn 1,000 welcome points, an anniversary gift, day pass and other perks. A Master agent must reserve 50 room nights and be certified in all five Velas Resorts. This will earn 2,000 additional points, bonus payouts with prepaid VISA card, access to specialized segment certifications (Weddings, Groups and Conventions), and a checkbook with special amenities for clients. Finally, Elite Agents must book at least 75 room nights, as well as maintaining their expert certification in all five Velas Resorts, to earn a healthy 3,500 additional points plus the most exclusive guest amenities for clients. The multiple benefits are accumulative and increase as the agent’s progresses through the curriculum. Points can be used towards stays at any of the resorts or at an online store with spa & beauty salon services, insuite amenities and more. Agents can easily register at the resorts’ dedicated website, experts.velasresorts.com/en, and complete the video lessons and quizzes to obtain an expert certification for each property. Learn more about the Velas Experts program by watching a short video at: vimeo.com/185089670.
ACTIVITIES
Te q u i l a a n d Ta c o s GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA
Starting in November, foodie travelers have indulged in a new expertly paired Tequila & Taco Tasting experience at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, included in the resort’s allinclusive rate. Curated by the resort’s renowned in-house food and beverage team, Mexico’s foodie resort excites culinaryenthusiasts seeking an authentic experience with Mexican cuisine rated part of UNESCO’s culinary world heritage. Skillfully selected taco and tequila pairings combine the finest quality fish, shrimp and rib eye tacos with top-shelf tequila. Fish tacos with a cilantro emulsion are paired with Don Julio 70, a crystalline tequila with toasted oak notes followed by a clean and warm ending. Shrimp tacos, made with chile guajillo tortilla, are accompanied by 1800 Reposado tequila, which gives caramel with orange peels notes after six months in barrels of French and American oak. Rib Eye tacos are savored with anejo Tres Generaciones tequila, bringing out the quality and unique characteristics of the ingredients. The new Tequila & Taco Tasting experience is one of several offerings highlighting the resort’s commitment to catering to the food-focused traveler. Grand Velas Riviera Maya continues to raise the bar on culinary offerings for an all-inclusive resort.
2
3
Suite Grand Velas Los Cabos
EVENTS
Summit
Los Cabos 2016 GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS This year the Los Cabos 2016 VIP Summit’s welcome cocktail reception was held at the Grand Velas Los Cabos resort. Set to open soon, the resort is a tribute to excellence and the ability to carry out projects with impetus and perseverance. With a record construction time of just 9 months, this property from the family of Velas Resorts again takes its magnitude to another level, presenting an impressive development of 304 luxurious suites and 7 highest-level dining establishments; restaurants that promise to create a culinary experience on par with the best restaurants in the world, with chefs like Sidney Schutte, recipient of two Michelin stars. The resort also offers a Spa with services including a Spa Atelier and Barber Care Studio, a gymnasium, robust Convention Center and settings for every type of event. Guests of the event praised the facilities, service and attention to detail that the property demonstrates in every area. Tour operators, travel agencies, airlines and wholesale agencies from the major cities with connections to the Los Cabos area were amazed and eager to continue working with the Velas family. The VIP Summit is the most valuable annual Los Cabos Tourism Trust event; the ideal platform for gathering and hosting its business partners. Everything conspired to make the preopening of Grand Velas Los Cabos and the VIP Summit a success. Grand Velas Los Cabos shone with saxophone music, fireworks and a light show. In the middle of the festivities, at the appointed hour, Rodrigo Esponda gave a welcoming speech; State Secretary of Tourism Genaro Ruiz thanked the hosts, Mr. Eduardo Vela, President of the Administrative Council of Velas Resorts, and Mr. Juan Vela, Vice President of the company, for the spectacular organization; Jose Luis Rangel, Executive Director of CTPM congratulated the 10 years of the VIP Summit and wished the business meetings much success.
EVENTS
Food & Art Fest GRAND VELAS RIVIERA NAYARIT
On November 14, 2016, the 2016 Food & Art Fest began at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, including the second edition of the Kitchen Fiesta event, which was part of the XXII International Gourmet Festival. At this gastronomic celebration, the host chef and guest chefs cooked a dinner in real time. Guests from all over the world were able to observe the process and experience each moment on giant screens, before sampling the dishes. Xavi Peréz Stone was among the guests of honor, Executive Chef of Cocina de Autor restaurant at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, who took second place in the National "Cook of the Year 2009-2010" contest and first place during the 20112012 edition, as well as winning Iron Chef Canada in 2014. The second guest was Miguel Bautista, co-founder and Executive Chef of Vegan Planet Mexico, who shares the vegan philosophy through cuisine. Both worked hand in hand with Executive Chef of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Claudio Hotter. The festival also included a tequila tasting and the Art Gallery’s second exhibit, titled "Voices of Silver and Stone" by designer Rosana Sánchez, who thanked the hotel for the opportunity to exhibit her pieces. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit looks forward to continuing to promote the culinary and artistic culture of Mexico with these types of events!
EVENTS
Dinner in the Sky CASA VELAS
From January 28th to February 28th, 2017, Puerto Vallarta will host a supremely unique event that will leave an impression on each person who attends: Dinner in the Sky, made possible by a platform that rises 150 feet off the ground. This adventure in the sky will be carried out amidst the grounds of Casa Velas Hotel, which was chosen as the grand host. Diners will enjoy a culinary journey created by chefs of international stature, complemented by the extraordinary views and sunsets that can be admired from the hotel’s naturally beautiful areas. The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust continues to multiply its efforts to bring important national and international events to the destination. This experience will be available to both guests and residents of the region. Learn more about Dinner in the sky at: dinnerintheskypv.com/en/
CUISINE - RECIPE
Sweet Corn Ta m a l e s VELAS VALLARTA
Velas Vallarta now has an extensive menu of tamales, made using a traditional family recipe. This delicious and traditional Mexican specialty is now offered in restaurants Andrea and La Ribera from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and at the Mexican Fiesta every Sunday. They are served hot, and provide the perfect complement to any dish, with flavors like shrimp in achiote, poblano pepper rajas, cheese, huitlacoche corn truffle and the house specialty: sweet corn tamales. Here we share with you the recipe for sweet corn tamales, which have a sweet, delicate flavor; perfect for any time of year. Ingredients: - 20 ears of fresh corn - 100 green corn husks - 200 g of sugar (a little less than one cup) - 500 g butter (about 4 sticks) - 2 tablespoons yeast - 1 tablespoon salt Method: Cut the corn off the cob, blend the grains and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, butter, yeast and salt. Combine the two mixtures to form a smooth paste. Add two tablespoons of the paste to the corn husk and cover with another husk, folding the edges in to form the tamales. Place in a steamer and cook for 75 minutes over medium heat. Enjoy!