The numbers are growing at a dizzying rate. From 2013 through 2017, the nation saw a 62 percent increase in visitor traffic, the fastest growth rate of any large global destination. “We are very proud of having reached, for the first time in our history, the sixth-most-visited country in the world,” said Mexico Tourism Secretary Enrique de la Madrid speaking to an audience of travel agents during a Mark Travel Corporation webinar.

Accordingly, infrastructure is also expanding, including welcoming 15,000 to 20,000 new hotel rooms every year. “Just last semester, 7,000 new rooms were inaugurated [in Mexico],” said de la Madrid.
He also noted that the CEOs of Marriott and Hilton hotels have committed to adding 43 new properties in Mexico in the next two to three years.

Connectivity to the nation is also increasing. In 2017, some 18.6 million international visitors arrived by air. For 2018 alone, the country has already welcomed 4,600 new flights, including new service from Chicago to Mazatlan, Denver to Cozumel, Los Angeles to Acapulco and Seattle to Mexico City.

Mexico’s transformation into global tourism star has not come without its challenges, including an ongoing concern over visitor safety.  Mexico’s tourism industry has vowed to take a harder line on people and organizations spreading mis-information about the country.The Mark Travel Corporation webinar, which also featured tourism updates from area convention and visitors bureaus, was designed to help answer travel agents concerns and questions about these issues.

“[Mexico] is a fantastic destination and [one] that has been important to our company for over 30 years,” said host Ray Snisky, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of The Mark Travel Corporation, before introducing Secretary de la Madrid. “It is the passion, warmth and graciousness of the people of Mexico that really makes that destination unique.”
“There’s a lot of misinformation [about Mexico] right now.” Snisky said, and that having the right information would transition into clarity and energy for travel agents selling Mexico.
During the webinar, Secretary de la Madrid addressed travel agent concerns about safety.
In the last update of the U.S. State Department,” he said, “there is basically no major touristic destination [in Mexico] that has any travel advisory.”

He noted that as of last August there were two visitor destinations with warnings, which went away with the update of the State Department Advisory system in January. He also clarified that the new system has four qualification levels. “Number 1, I suppose, being paradise,” he said, “[while Number 2] is all the normal countries around the world, where they put Mexico but they also put the UK, France and Spain. Just remember France is the number one tourist destination worldwide and Spain is number two, so we have the same qualification as those two destinations.”

He also told agents to remember that while Mexico frequently appears in the media over sensationalistic stories about violence, those stories are mostly drug-related. “Tourists coming to Mexico are not the target of this violence and they are not impacted, mainly, by this violence.” He pointed out that zero homicides in Cancun last year involved tourists.

He also added a little context, pointing out that Mexico is not too different than what happens in other parts of the world, or what happens in the U.S. The general crime rates generally do not have an impact on visitors to those destinations.

Despite the relatively low impact on visitors, Mexico’s tourism industry is taking these concerns seriously. A number of safety improvements have been implemented in Baja California Sur, where Los Cabos is locatd, for example. In April, said de la Madrid, Los Cabos saw its homicide rate drop by 80 percent.
Mexico is following a similar safety model in Quintana Roo, which is home to some of the nation’s top visitor destinations, including Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Riviera Maya.

The measures, which are being spearheaded by state and local authorities as well as the tourism industry include an increased police presence at area beaches and on the roads. Also, additional metal detectors are being installed in Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and there’s also a new mobile site for visitor safety.

De la Madrid also addressed last year’s allegations of tainted alcohol being served in some of the top resort areas. “Not a single claim of tainted alcohol consumption has ever been proven true,” he said. “There was [however] evidence of a combination of excessive drinking and there was evidence of drugs.” He has also said Mexico will no longer “tolerate” any case where information being spread is false. Out of a desire to not to harm anyone’s reputation, Mexico was slow to point a finger at the accusers’ use of excessive drugs and alcohol. “But the reputation [we want to harm least] is ours,” he said.

He also recognized some media and other parties were frustrated with Mexico’s slow response, as the tourism industry tried to piece together what happened and said this was a mistake Mexico will not repeat.
Mexico will implement a management system in order to investigate situations more quickly. “We are trying to provide information soon, even if it is not yet complete,” he said. “That’s something we are working on.”

He said Mexico was keeping a careful eye on a report from the CDC that has called “binge drinking” an epidemic in the United States. This is something that obviously could affect Mexico, which welcomes more than 20 million American visitors every year. More training will also be provided to hotel personnel, teaching front line staff to stop serving alcohol to guests who are clearly inebriated. “They are not obliged to give these guests more alcohol,” he said.

De la Madrid also asked travel agents and other partners who do business in Mexico, to help set the record straight and be more proactive about sharing accurate information. He also recommended that travel agents stay educated about Mexico so they can become experts on selling the country. 

Other speakers during the Mark Travel webinar include Jorge Tellez, Promotion Director, The Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau; Julio Birrueta, Director of the Mazatlán Tourism Board; Elvira Moncayo, Public Relations, Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board; Marc Murphy, Director General, Riviera Nayarit; and Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director, Los Cabos Tourism Board.

Personally, Mexico is one of my favorite destinations. As an all inclusive expert and honeymoon, destination wedding specialist, I travel there often. Contact me any time to learn more and book your Mexico vacation.  You get personal professional accessible service for the same price as doing it all yourself! ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com

In a continuing effort to keep sargassum from hitting land, an additional 27-kilometers of the seaweed barriers have been placed along the beaches in Riviera Maya.

Comercializadora Chaktumen of Quintana Roo, the company installing the barriers, completed the task on Thursday. The extra containment barriers won’t be placed in just one location, but added in sections of 500 or 1,000 meters in front of the most affected beaches during sargassum season.

According to the Riviera Maya News, the municipalities of Cancun, Mahahual, Puerto Morelos and Tulum, along with the old town of Playa del Carmen to the south of Punta Venado, are all considered high-priority locations for the barriers to be placed.

“We do not know the volumes nor the exact sites to which the marine vegetation will arrive, but the objective is to guarantee that the beaches are clean and available for tourism and that the balance of the environment is also ensured,” said Alfredo Arellano, Secretary of Ecology and Environment of Quintana Roo.

Arellano also added that even with the additional barriers in place, regular maintenance and cleaning will still need to be done to ensure the beaches are sargassum free. Vehicles equipped with vacuum suction will be brought in to remove piled seaweed already on land.

With these extra barriers added, those already hard at work clearing the seaweed and the two sargassum boats the US sent over to help with cleaning efforts, there’s no reason tourists should let sargassum deter them from these popular Mexican Caribbean destinations.

The entire Cancun region is a great spot with friendly people, impeccable service and beautiful resorts.  Contact All Inclusive Vacation Expert & Mexico Specialist, Chris Rakes to learn more and plan your Riviera Mayan vacation!

Mexico continues to rise the ranks among the world's most-visited destinations, ranking sixth globally after hosting more than 39 million international tourists in 2017.
Nonetheless, the Mexico Tourism Board is out to set the record straight regarding recent reports linked to the U.S. State Department's updated travel advisory system, which ranked Mexico as a "level 2" country where travelers should "exercise increased caution" when it debuted earlier this year.
However, level 2 was also assigned to destinations like Germany, France and the U.K. and the board points out that the advisory exempts major international tourist destinations across the country, including those in states with higher levels in the advisory.
"While Mexico faces challenges with crime and violence like many countries around the world today, the overwhelming majority of those incidents are related to Mexican individuals," the Mexico Tourism Board said in a statement. "In the very rare recent cases where foreigners have been impacted, the majority of the cases found that those individuals were involved in suspicious or criminal activity not associated with tourism."
So far in 2018, the U.S. State Department hasn't issued a single alert recommending against travel to Mexico. "Our main concern comes from the fact that the crime, violence and other statistics used are those for a country overall, not related to the number of incidents that impact foreign visitors," the board stated in January.
In its ongoing effort to eliminate any remaining doubt about visitor safety, Mexican officials are taking a proactive approach to reducing risks and ensuring travelers return home satisfied.
Enhanced security measures already taken in Quintana Roo include 24-hour surveillance at the maritime terminals of Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, additional metal detectors and an added police presence with specially-trained canine units.
Other upgrades include investments in technology to assist in the communication of security personnel with hotels and tour operators and close coordination between the entire tourism industry with the municipal police and other authorities in order to report any suspicious activity and take appropriate actions.
"Mexico is a safe, friendly and welcoming destination and one that is growing faster than the global industry average for more than five years in a row," the board states.
As Mexico continues to draw and win over more and more visitors, safety and security will remain a top priority. The destination is also working to boost travel infrastructure through new hotel and resort openings as well as added airline routes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEXICO AND THE BEST PLACES TO STAY, CONTACT CHRISRAKES@TOTALEXPERIENCETRAVEL.COM

​On Friday, Mexico’s president Enrique Pena Nieto designated the Revillagigedo Archipelago, a set of four volcanic islands and its surrounding waters, as the nation’s newest national park.

The park, located approximately 250 miles south of Cabo San Lucas and 400 miles from Colima, serves as a feeding and migration areas for whales, sharks, rays and other migratory species. Encompassing more than 57,000 square miles, it is the largest marine park in North America.

According to the Pew Charitable Trust, the four islands are “the peaks of volcanoes created more than 3.5 million years ago. They are part of a larger formation of seamounts, or underwater mountains, that help create the upwelling of nutrients from the deep sea that supports a vast array of marine life.”

A Pew fact sheet calls the area a “waypoint” for many large migratory species, including at least 366 species of fish—some 26 of which can be found nowhere else in the world. It also attracts 37 species of sharks and rays, including Mexico’s popular whale sharks and one of the world’s largest populations of oceanic manta rays. Four threatened species of sea turtles—leatherback, green, olive ridley, and hawksbill have also been found there.

“The remote marine park provides a place where whales, dolphins, sharks and tuna can feed, breed, and rest during their migrations,” read the fact sheet.

Because of the site’s rich resources, it was inscribed onto the UNESCO list of World Heritage properties in 2016.

While formerly a popular site for commercial fisherman, the national park designation means that no fishing or mining will be allowed in and around the islands.

“With the goal of guaranteeing maximum protection of this World Heritage Site, our national legislation’s strongest conservation category will be used, and all forms of fishing will be prohibited,” said Alejandro Del Mazo Maza, of Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, said in a statement, according to National Geographic.

While the new park is also being hailed as a potential new site for ecotourism, the designation also means no major development—including hotel construction—will be allowed on the islands.

Mexico has 34 sites on UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage List, including 26 natural sites, seven cultural sites and one mixed.

"The inscription of the Revillagigedo Archipelago to this list positioned us as the [country] with the highest number of registered properties in the Latin American and Caribbean region, and the sixth worldwide," said Vidal Franciso Soberón Sanz, Mexico’s Secretary of the Navy, which is being charged with oversight and security of the new park, according to El Universal.

The new marine reserve designation is being hailed around the world, including shout-outs by National Geographic and Richard Branson.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Matt Rand, director of the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, congratulated Mexico’s government on the new designation.

“It wasn’t an easy decision because they had significant opposition from the commercial fishing industry, which I think is unfortunate,” he said. “I would love to see a commercial industry embrace this notion that certain areas should be protected.”
​
He also called the reserve “biologically spectacular.”

Love is always in the air, especially in February when Valentine’s Day rolls around. And that is great news for you, because couples in love have always loved taking cruises.

What is more romantic than a stroll on deck under the stars? Sharing an elegant dinner with a flute of something bubbly? Or having hot coffee and breakfast brought to you in bed. How about someone else making the bed and doing the cleaning?! 

Because of all the perks, couples are turning to cruises more and more to celebrate their most romantic milestones; anniversaries, honeymoons and even the wedding itself! Increasing in popularity are vow-renewal ceremonies, in which couples celebrate a major anniversary.  More often than not, couples are bringing along their, children, friends and other family members.

They are also great for multi-generational groups and second weddings. On a cruise, the captain can marry them.  On an island, the wedding planner is already included and she'll arrange everything. Professional photographers are available to capture moments and create galleries. Cruise lines, like all inclusive resorts offer wedding packages, which can be customized to include whatever the couple wants.

As an All Inclusive Expert and Honeymoon Destination Wedding Specialist, I’ve watched business grow as more travelers and engaged couples embrace the all inclusive concept. More couples are choosing a wedding in a cruise port or aboard ship because it’s easy and much less expensive that many ceremonies at home. They prefer to use their money for a down payment on a house rather than for a blow-out bash. Wedding cruises are fun, affordable and a great way to gather friends and family in a carefree setting. Planning the perfect, stress-free cruise Wedding and Honeymoon is a breeze when done properly.

Luxury cruises are also popular for upscale clients planning to renew their vows or celebrate milestone anniversaries.  Whether it is a romantic dinner for two or your group at one of the specialty restaurants, ship staff handle all the details so the process is seamless and enjoyable for you.  With chapels and reception rooms with ocean views onboard, it’s everything you dreamed and more. 

People today are more focused on their families and their return on life. They want to do experiential things that they will remember, rather than just go on vacation. Experienced travelers know that cruises are a good value and relaxing way to go. 

I love being in the happiness business and helping clients get the best value and experience for their special trip! Contact destination wedding and cruise specialist, CHRIS RAKES to get started. 

Read anything about the island, and you’re bound to learn that Antigua has exactly 365 beaches – one for each day of the year. You’ll also read about the island’s endless days of sun and stunningly gorgeous azure water. And while these things are true, they don’t capture the heart of this friendly little island, a former English colony where cricket games are an afternoon tradition and colorful roadside restaurants beckon with cornmeal and okra dumplings and cold bottles of Wadadli, the local lager.

Barely a hundred square miles, Antigua is particularly accessible, and exploring by car is a fun and rewarding experience – just stay alert for the bearded goats who sometimes wander into the road! Here are our personal recommendations for exploring the island:
 
1. Take the Dip in Half Moon Bay
No trip to Antigua is complete without a visit to Half Moon Bay. This family friendly beach is a national park that attracts visitors and locals alike for its stunning pink sand beach and quality snorkeling. Local vendors often sell food here, such as salt fish sandwiches topped with the local hot sauce, making it the perfect spot for a snack and swim.

 2. Explore English Harbour
One of the most popular spots in Antigua, beautifully restored English Harbour has enough attractions to last an entire day. From pristine beaches and panoramic trails to restaurants, art galleries and historical monuments (this is where you’ll find Nelson’s Dockyards, the world’s only surviving Georgian dockyard), English Harbour is a must see.

3. Watch a Cricket Game
Cricket is serious business in Antigua, a passion considered more of a religion than a sport. From schoolyards to beaches, games are never hard to find, but for a truly fantastic experience, head to the impressive Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, built for the 2017 Cricket Cup, where you can join the cheering crowds for an afternoon of fun.

4. Hike Mount Obama
After Barack Obama won the presidential election in 2009, Antigua’s prime minister renamed the island’s highest peak after the U.S. president. Mount Obama, as it is now known, is an easy stroll along a lush jungle trail and offers spectacular views of the neighboring islands of Monserrat and Guadeloupe.

5. Dance the Night Away
Rum punch and live music fuel Antigua’s famous dance parties, where tourists and locals alike shake and shimmy to the rhythms of the West Indies. From rustic beach bars like Beach Limerz to the ever-popular Shirley Heights Lookout sited high above English Harbour, there is no better way to experience Antigua’s hospitality than on the dance floor.

6. Sail into the Sunset
Antigua has long been a favorite destination among the international sailing set. Join them by chartering your own classic wooden sailboat for the day or watching the sunset from the deck of a catamaran. Whichever way you chose, this is the quintessential Caribbean experience you’ll never forget.

Looking for the perfect resort recommendation? Contact ChrisRakes

There are MANY great reasons to have a destination wedding but, they aren’t for everyone. Before you decide on a destination wedding, there are some things to consider.  Some reasons a destination wedding may not be perfect for each of your guests include limited vacation time, mobility restrictions, fear of travel, budget - to name a few. 

The last thing you want to do is get off on the wrong foot as a new couple and cause a rift among your family.  First, consult with both sets of parents to make sure it works for them and then gather their thoughts about the possibility for your siblings.  Make sure you then talk it through with your siblings to make sure all can attend.  Remember, these people love you most and will want to be involved. 

Not everyone has the same lifestyle and makes the same amount of money.  I’ve never planned a destination wedding where there weren’t some budget restrictions.  Immediate family members who can’t swing the expense, are typically covered by the couples’ parents or the couple themselves. Discuss this and gain consensus from the start.

Destination wedding sizes continue to grow and more and more people are choosing destination weddings.  However, they are still likely to be smaller than a wedding at home.  The couple must be comfortable with a smaller more intimate celebration.  You can’t be offended when invited guests have to decline. Some may be just starting out, newly pregnant, etc. 

Those who can’t attend don’t have to miss it entirely.  The better resorts capture the moments by live streaming so, those back home can watch as its happening.  Many couples also offer a post wedding casual alternative celebration, for those who couldn’t attend the big party. The key here is NOT to tell your guests any of this before the wedding. You want to encourage friends and family to attend on destination as much as possible. The more the merrier and the larger the group, the bigger the benefit to the couple and group.

Talk it through, obtain a good destination wedding specialist and give guests plenty of time to plan. If you do that, you are sure to have an event you will always remember and your guests will be talking about for ages! Take it from an expert ;)

Chris Rakes - All Inclusive Vacation Expert and Honeymoon Destination Wedding Specialist

After all the hard work and emotions that go into planning a wedding, you are ready for that glass of champagne at the reception -- and a fabulous dose of R&R when it’s all over!  Whether you’re hitting the beach in the Caribbean, hiking a volcano in Costa Rica, or feasting your way through Italy, it’s time to unwind with your spouse and let the reality sink in: You’re married! Like all things “wedding,” your honeymoon comes with its share of questions.

When should we go on our honeymoon?
Traditionally, the newlyweds would depart on their honeymoon right away – the bride often changing into one of her trousseau outfits and heading to the airport straight from the reception, suitcases in tow. However, today’s couples know that having a wedding is exhausting. I recommend delaying departure 1-3 days so that you have a little time to wind down, get things organized and time to pack.

Who plans it?
The honeymoon used to be planned entirely by the groom and kept a secret from the bride until she arrived. But it’s stressful packing for a mystery trip, only to arrive and realize once at destination, there’s an outfit or two you really wish you’d brought! With today’s couples, more often than not the groom still takes the lead, but the bride is kept in the loop.  Smart grooms pull in a honeymoon specialist to help them decipher best options for their interests. It’s a collaboration with the travel pro doing the majority of the work related to the research and booking in general.  She'll also make sure their itinerary includes a little something for each of them.  Hoping to keep that surprise alive? That’s still an options but much safer bet when working with an experienced honeymoon specialist.  

I am out of vacation time, what should I do?
Take a mini-moon! And, delay your big trip until you’ve got more time off.  If you have to wait for the big honeymoon, take a long weekend immediately after your wedding to unwind from the excitement. Go somewhere completely relaxing for a night or two. Sleep in, get massages, and scroll through your hashtags to relive all those fun memories. Taking that big trip several weeks or months after the big day, will give you something exciting to look forward to once your wedding has come and gone!

What if I have a food allergy or dietary restrictions?
Even if you are going on a cruise or to an all inclusive resort, this doesn’t have to be a problem.  Your honeymoon specialist can connect you to the resorts and cruise lines that do best in accommodating your need.  Once at destination you will be connected with the head chef or dining department to discuss your  restrictions and lay out a plan to accommodate it in the most satisfying manner.  The best properties will easily be able to work with your needs, as well as recommend menu items you will truly enjoy. For a honeymoon in a major city, read restaurants’ menus and reviews, and google search, for example “gluten free in Paris.”  If traveling to a destination where they don’t speak English, be prepared to explain your restrictions in the local language.  Write it down in advance, if that helps. Wherever you go and whatever kind of cuisine you are looking for, don’t forget to ask the locals’ for some suggestions. No one knows the local cuisine and what’s best better than them!

If we can’t afford an extravagant trip, should we still go?
Of course! There are many affordable ways to totally relax and enjoy your honeymoon. All-inclusive resorts and cruises are a great place to start and offer the best value since there are few expenses beyond what you pay to book the trip. You know upfront the cost of the trip before you get there. If you are looking for culture and art, and more exploration on foot, there are options for guided tours that offer exceptional value, over do it yourself options.  Don’t forget honeymoon funds are also available and no different than a gift registry.  Already have a coffee pot? Ask for an excursion instead!  The honeymoon is a trip of a lifetime and the thing you will remember most from this time in your life – don’t skimp or forgo it.

For the best value and experience work with a travel professional and honeymoon specialist. It's the same price as you doing all the work yourself and it will give you better peace of mind and experience overall. ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com

After the “question” has been popped, couples may well discover that the hardest decision they’ll have to make (aside from whether to invite Great Aunt Millie) is where to have the big day.

Savvy couples know that location is key when it comes to having a wedding that everyone will be talking about for years to come. That’s why one in four couples are now opting for a Destination Wedding and turning to Specialists to help them explore their options and plan their big day.

Whether couples are looking for the ideal beach or mountain setting, (or perhaps a little of both), the they know which resorts to recommend for the best packages and putting on the most memorable events. Couples will be introduced to the best professional wedding planners in the business and from there they will tailor their wedding to exact specifications. They will have a ceremony that not only reflects their new lives together but fits their budget.  

Couples can select from a variety of wedding packages.  From black tie formal to casually elegant atmospheres, there are scores of venue settings, wedding themes, and best dining and entertainment options to choose from. Friends and family will be battling to make the guest list.

Your Destination Wedding Planner makes it easy for everyone to get there (even Aunt Millie)! And, ensures the couple reaps every possible benefit entitled to their group.

Contact Chris Rakes, Travel Planner and Honeymoon, Destination Wedding Specialist to learn more!