Mexicoâ??s First-quarter International Tourism Results Show Significant Growth

Mexicoâ??s international tourism arrivals and revenues were up in the first quarter of this year, demonstrating the continued growth of one of the countryâ??s most important economic sectors and allaying fears that the new passport requirement imposed on travelers returning from Mexico to the United States would hurt tourism south of the border.

According to Mexicoâ??s Tourism Secretariat (Sectur), the countryâ??s international tourism revenues during January, February and March reached US$3.758 billion, a 14.6 percent increase compared with results posted for the same period in 2006. The 3.6 million international tourism arrivals during the period represented an increase of 8.3 percent compared with first quarter 2006 results and 1.2 percent compared with first quarter 2005 figures.

Mexicoâ??s tourism trade balance, at US$1.946 billion, registered a 31.5 percent increase compared with the US$1.480 billion reported during the first quarter of 2006, Sectur reported.

According to the latest statistics, the number of international visitors to Mexico via cruise ships increased 78,000 from first quarter 2006 to first quarter 2007, showing that the country has more than recovered from the damage suffered by Cozumelâ??Mexicoâ??s and the Western Caribbeanâ??s largest cruise portâ??by Hurricane Wilma in late 2005. Revenues also increased nearly 20 percent from first quarter 2006 to first quarter 2007, to US$173.8 million.

Although the Mexican government expressed fears last year over the possible effects on tourism of the requirement, which took effect in January 2007, that travelers returning to the United States from Mexico and other Western Hemisphere countries carry a valid passport, the numbers show U.S. travel is actually up compared with last year, with 15 percent more Americans traveling to Mexico during the first quarter of this year than during the same period in 2006.

â??These numbers demonstrate that requiring a passport has not deterred Americans from traveling to Mexico,â? said Rodolfo Elizondo, Mexicoâ??s Secretary of Tourism.

About the Mexico Tourism Board

The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations nationally and internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexicoâ??s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

About Chichen-Itza, the World Wonder

Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation is revising the original seven ancient wonders of the world, and Mexicoâ??s Chichen-Itza in Yucatan State is one of 21 finalists to become a new Seven World Wonder. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, Chichen-Itza is considered to have been one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan peninsula, and today is one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in Mexico. To vote for Chichen-Itza as one of the new Seven World Wonders, visit the â??new7wondersâ? website.

FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTBâ??s North American Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555.

# # #

Erick Laseca

Mexico Tourism Board

312-228-0517 ext14

erick.laseca@bm.com

http://www.visitmexico.com

Why US Travelers Need to Buy Travel Medical Insurance When Traveling to Canada?

Unexpected accident and illness while on vacations and trips could be very frustrating. This is the reason why US travelers need to avail of a Travel Medical Insurance when traveling to Canada. All people who wish to travel may secure themselves with such insurance to avoid the untimely and costly medical expenses while traveling in Canada.

Injuries, sickness and other unforeseen catastrophic events could happen anytime. This is the reason why we should never underestimate the need to have a travel medical insurance handy. Untimely and uncalled for financial burden could be so troublesome; and you wouldn’t wish for this to happen to you or your family.

Imagine paying $1,500 to $3,500 for daily hospitalization charges as a non-resident of Canada. These daily rates and this rate vary by province, and the patient’s condition upon admission. It is indeed so expensive! The vacation of you dreams can turn into an instant nightmare and so much of a traumatic experience.

Purchasing Canadian travel health insurance helps visitors and tourists from incurring these liabilities and expenses. Not only are the aforementioned expenses paid by the insurance companies, the cost of their return home will may also be covered by the travel insurance companies. Coverage is available to visitors provided that they are in current good health, not insured by any Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan or not have been in Canada more than two years.

Travel Insurance to Canada is affordable, and the benefits come in wonders. Insurance policy provides coverage from $10,000 up to $150,000. Visitors to Canada can avail of the following services on an emergency basis only: confinement in a hospital for standard or semi-private rooms, medical supplies and services, Registered Nurse Laboratory tests, x-ray exams and other diagnostic exams; licensed local land, air or sea ambulatory services; rental of hospital type bed, trusses, braces, crutches, splints and other authorized and approved prosthetic orthopedic appliances; out patient or in patient prescription medications; return of deceased body to the insurance holder’s residence, cost of burial at place of death, crematory services; and in case of accidents, cost of damage and losses of body parts.

The following are some of the major exceptions on travel health insurances that are not covered by Canadian insurance companies: ongoing treatment after emergency illness or after immediate treatment done, traveling against physician’s orders, illegal drug or alcohol abuse induced sickness and injuries, criminal activities, actions of war, kidnapping, terrorism, or military exercises.

Travel to mexico.

Mexico is a hub of different interests and cultures. People who travel to Mexico will witness many rich and diverse cultures and entertainment. From museums and opera houses to idyllic beach resorts, travelers in Mexico will definitely not ask for anything more.

Probably one of the places that people who travel to Mexico will surely enjoy are the beach resorts outside the capital city. At the top of the list is Acapulco, which is sometimes referred to as the Riviera of Mexico for its hotels, casinos and beach resorts. The Acapulco is a very popular tourist destination where one can also do deep-sea fishing as well as other water sports. Another haven for people who travel to Mexico is the Mazatlan, which frequently holds the international fishing tournaments as well as pre-Lenten carnivals. Hunting and fishing are also things that will interest people who travel to Mexico. One can also find in Mazatlan an observatory and one of the tallest lighthouses in the world. Other beaches that travelers in Mexico should not miss are the Cancun Island, the Puerto Vallarta and the Los Cabos.

Traveling to Mexico also opens the door to a world of arts and drama. With its many museums, Mexico is one of the most important museum destinations in the world. The Chapultepec Park houses several of these celebrated museums; the most important of which is the National Museum of Anthropology. Other museums that travelers in Mexico should also visit are the Museum of National History, Snail Museum, Technology Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, which boasts of the finest collection of Mexican painting including those of masters such as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo. Children will also enjoy the Mexico City Zoo and the Papalote, a children’s interactive museum.

Traveling to Mexico will not be complete without visiting the Basilica de Guadalupe, which marks the site of the Virgin Mother’s appearance in 1531. The Metropolitan Cathedral is another travel destination within Mexico. With its baroque and neoclassical façade, the church is a great example of architectural art forms.

Another Mexican architectural masterpiece is the Chapultepec Castle, which once served as presidential residence. The castle also features the murals of Mexican painter Juan O’ Gorman as well as the Memorial to Infant Heroes. Los Pinos, which is the official residence of the Mexican President, is also on the grounds of the Castle.

Monuments abound in the Paseo de la Reforma, a tree-line boulevard that houses Mexico’s landmarks. Travelers will surely love the monuments such as the Angel of the Independence, the symbol of the country’s national identity, Cuauhtemoc Memorial and the Diana Cazadora, the statue of Diana the Huntress.

What is traveling to Mexico without shopping for souvenirs? The Zona Rosa or the Pink Zone is an ideal shopping paradise. Within the area are restaurants, boutique squares, shops and hotels. Another shopping district is the Alameda Park, which borders the Palace of Fine Arts.

History fanatics will also love traveling to Mexico’s famed religious city of Teotihuacan, the capital of pre-Aztec civilization. In Teotihuacan, travelers to Mexico will find the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, two pyramids that face each other, providing a great view of the surrounding regions from the top.

Choosing the Right Quotes for Travel Insurance Canada

Investing in travel insurance provides security while you travel outside your home country. Your provincial health insurance plan may not cover you while you are out of the province. Your company benefit plan or your travel agency may not necessarily protect you when you cancel your trip either. And most importantly, your life insurance may not give you financial assistance for preparation and return of remains in the case of death while on your trip. When you are faced with these cases, you have no other choice but to get travel insurance for maximum security.

In Canada, there are several travel insurance companies such as Travel Insurance Quotes that may provide coverage for the cases above. Companies for travel insurance Canada vary in terms of coverage and prices. To get the right choice, you need to consider two major factors in buying travel insurance:

• Plan – Companies like Travel Insurance Quotes for travel insurance Canada may offer separate plans for medical travel insurance, trip cancellation travel insurance, lost baggage travel insurance, comprehensive travel insurance and many more. You first need to determine what risk you need to protect. To get the right options and right choices you need to know what plan to purchase. Some questions to ask may include: Are you planning for a short term trip or long trip? What possible events that may happen during the trip? Will my trips be cancelled? Do I have certain illness or sickness that may need emergency care? How valuable are my carried items? How important is it to have my pre-existing medical conditions covered?

You should check with your travel agent or airline the cancelation penalty you would incur if you needed to cancel your trip due to accident or sickness of yourself, your family or your travelling companion. If your trip costs are non-refundable then you need to protect your lost money. You can do this by purchasing trip cancellation to protect the non-refundable cost of tour trip. There may be assistance from the airlines as well as from travel agency that you are in. If you need more assistance or coverage based on the evaluation of your needs, then you need more specific or comprehensive plans for your travel insurance Canada. The bottom line is that you should think beyond what’s now, evaluate the possibilities and prepare.

• Price – The second factor in buying travel insurance Canada is the price. Once you know the plans that you need, you have to compare who among the travel insurance companies (of which Travel Insurance Quotes is leading) offer the most reasonable price. Since prices correspond with the coverage, you should not look at the best price. You need to check on the coverage that goes with it. For instance, if you are an international student studying in Canada and needs to get health insurance, you should check if the plan includes a complete health insurance plan throughout the duration of your stay or mere emergency cases. Plans which offer only emergency medical is quite cheaper than comprehensive health travel insurance plan. So when comparing the price, review the coverage as well. Once you know what coverage you need then you can compare other health travel insurance quotes to find the lowest price. Find your ideal travel insurance plan and coverage at Travel Insurance Quotes.

There are various travel insurance companies in Canada where you can request for information. The leading online travel insurance system in Canada is Travel Insurance Quotes. You can go to Travel Insurance Quotes to get instance quotes from various providers for travel insurance. You can instantly compare coverage and price to determine the best value travel insurance plan for your trip.

Touring Western Canada – a Spectacular Winter Idyll

A trip to Canada is right for anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of magnificent scenery and friendly faces. Here we outline some highlights of a tour which starts in Calgary and ends in Vancouver – easily covered in 10 or 11 days, with a few nights in Banff and Jasper to savour the mountain scenes, and an unforgettable train ride too.
Starting in Calgary, a simple morning tour is a great way to take in the atmosphere of this go-ahead, elegant city of skyscrapers and diverse shopping centres. Amongst the attractions is Calgary’s Saddledome, the city’s 17,000-seat stadium hosting a huge variety of sporting and entertainment events.
After Calgary, a drive west takes you to Banff National Park, known as the gateway to the Rockies, and a spectacular mountain resort. There is so much to do here, including an excursion to Sulphur Mountain for a gondola ride with spectacular views of the mountain scenery, and a visit to Bow Falls. Main activities can be hiking, boating and fishing, and the extra-adventurous might try a helicopter trip over the mountains; or perhaps for those who enjoy the quieter life sometimes – a cruise on Lake Minnewanka?
From Banff, a great place to visit next is Jasper, but on the way it is a good idea to take in the resort of Lake Louise with its clear blue waters a perfect natural mirror which reflects the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The scenery here is breathtaking, with steep gorges, snow-capped mountain ranges, and turquoise lakes. Another stop might be the Columbia Ice field for a snow coach ride on the Athabasca Glacier. Great adventure.
Once in Jasper, you will marvel at the continuous stream of beautiful scenery again with hiking options (how about an evening hike looking for elk?), or a trip to Maligne Lake and its huge canyon. But Jasper is also famous as a starting point for a fantastic 2-day trip by rail on the Rocky Mountaineer – a classic rail journey from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast. It takes in Mount Robson the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and follows the route of the ‘Overlanders’, 19th century homesteaders who tried to settle down in this wild region, and the Thompson River with views of the Monashee Mountains. Staying overnight at the ranching centre of Kamloops, the next days sees the Rocky Mountaineer continue on to Vancouver via the Fraser Canyon and the churning rapids of Hell’s Gate where the Fraser river squeezes through a 100 foot gap.
The Rocky Mountaineer offers two choices of service. RedLeaf Service which provides guests with assigned, spacious, comfortable reclining seats, large picture windows, delicious chilled breakfast and luncheon selections served at your seat in an air-conditioned traditional rail coach environment.
On the other hand, the GoldLeaf Service allows you to use one of the 11 custom-built, bi-level GoldLeaf dome coaches with an upper level offering 360-degree panoramic views. The whole experience includes elegant dining and top class service – probably the rail trip of a lifetime for many.
After this, Vancouver offers beautiful beaches and fine harbour, Chinatown, Gastown, and the beautiful Stanley Park. From Vancouver you can sail across the Strait of Georgia through the Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean climate. A nice idea is to take in a sightseeing trip to Victoria with its Butchart Gardens and Bastion Square. An interesting collection of totem poles can be found in Thunderbird Park. Staying overnight before a return to Vancouver, you can enjoy a more leisurely stay in Victoria, which will repay you with memories of fine attractions such as the Royal British Columbia Museum, or afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, or even a whale watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
With flights by Air Canada amongst other to Calgary and back from Vancouver, this itinerary is a great recommendation for an unforgettable taste of Canada’s pure and spectacular beauty.

Hamilton Canada – Charming, Exquisite and an Enriching Experience

Hamilton is a city situated in one of the most beautiful states of Canada, Ontario. It is a city with a bright history and even more bright future. It is said about this city that it began with romance, romance of Robert Land and his wife, who was the soldier of united empire. It is believed that he was the first settler in this part of the world after he escaped from the death sentence in Pennsylvania USA. He settled here on the edge of the lake. There are many more stories connected with this man who made this seventh heaven called “Hamilton”.

There are more interesting things than history to tell about this city. It is surrounded by some other exciting cities like Westdale, Ancaster and Dundas. These cities have character of their own and along with Hamilton, they are the best place for dining, visiting galleries, going to lavish green parks and last but not the least, shopping. In downtown area of Hamilton, a place called James Street North is considered the powerhouse of artistic energy as there are so many art galleries full of art made by artists of Hamilton itself. The other place called Locke Street in Hamilton is famous for its collection of antique stores, collectibles and cafes. Hess Village is famous for its cobblestone streets and also for several very beautiful restaurants and music and dancing clubs that keeps this area in dancing mood till midnight. The district of Waterfront is considered a heaven for hikers, boarders and those who want to challenge water’s natural power. In the eastern most part of Hamilton, there is no stopping for shoppers who love to bargain as there lay the Ottawa Street. One can also find some tribal cultures also with their food shops and outfits shops in this area of shopper’s delight.

This city has the pleasure of having some of the best tourist destinations of the state of Ontario. It has the luxury of the Royal Botanical Gardens, the very famous Bruce Trails, and tons of conservation parks and water parks etc. This city in Ontario is a very famous destination for all those tourists who want to get into the heart of the state of Ontario. Its closeness to Toronto and Niagara Peninsula makes it even more famous and ideal tourist destination. Princess point at the edge of Lake Ontario is one the most beautiful parts of Hamilton city. Encircling the lake is the very well maintained path.

Reaching Hamilton is not a very big task. It is very well connected by air, rail and roadways. J.C. Munroe international airport serves major international air carriers and have regular flights to other destinations of Canada and also to America and Caribbean islands. Alder shot railway station is supported by VIA rail. It is along side Windsor-Québec city corridor. This railway station is packed by passengers during tourist peak period and rush hours. Bus service is also extremely well managed in this city. Some busses run from Kitchener, London area and also from Niagara falls to Buffalo in USA. The bus depot of Hamilton is situated in downtown in Jackson and Hughson. This city has very god bus transit system. The city busses in Hamilton run to almost every street with very frequent timings and very cheap tariffs.

This was just the clip of this very beautiful city, ‘Hamilton’. This city has many more things which are worth watching and enjoying. No doubt, the city of Hamilton, Canada is indeed a paradise for the tourists and those who visit there once; it will prove to be the ultimate bliss and ecstasy.