Three months after large sums were spent on a controversial program to restore eroded beaches in Cancun, the local hotel association reports that the sands are being washed away again. Hoteliers want to take action to restrain the erosion, but federal authorities – who have jurisdiction over beaches – have yet to authorize any measures.

Work is scheduled to begin in a month or two on an airport for Palenque, Chiapas, famed for its spectacular Maya ruins. Palenque now is most easily reached driving from Villahermosa, about 90 miles distant. Villahermosa itself is a travel destination for those interested in archaeology. La Venta, an outdoor museum, is noted for its monumental Olmec sculptures.

The first rooms are scheduled to be ready at the Grand Heritage hotel being refurbished at Cabobaja, a 550-acre resort, golf course and residential project being developed at La Paz, about a 2-hour drive from Los Cabos in Baja California Sur.

Capital of Southern Baja California, La Paz is being eyed as a haven for retired Baby Boomers. One golf course already is open. The second, designed by Gary Player, is scheduled to be inaugurated in November. Three other goilf courses are in the planning stage.

By Jimm Budd

According to a report by Laura del Rosso published in Travel Weekly on Monday, Alfonso Sumano, the Mexico Tourism Board’s regional director for Canada, is slated to take over in late May as the MTB’s regional director for the United States. He will be based in Washington. Eduardo Chaillo will remain in Washington, concentrating on attracting more meeting, conventions and incentive groups.

The Tianguis Turistico – Mexico’s biggest trade show – ended on Wednesday with Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara calling it even more successful than anticipated. More buyers arrived than had been expected. The Tianguis is organized so that foreign buyers of tourism services and domestic suppliers can meet together in one place. In 2009, the flu scare – which devastated the travel industry – had just begun. Restaurants and bars closed and, to make matters worse, a mid-day earthquake rattled the exhibition area, although it did no damage.

A Grand Hyatt, a Park Hyatt, an Iberostar and a Capella are planned for the Nayarit Riviera according to publicists for the area. This Riviera extends north from Puerto Vallarta all along the 200-mile-long coast of Nayarit state, taking in many individual destinations.

The 35th annual Tianguis Turistico (“tianguis” is an indigenous word meaning “marketplace”) opened Sunday evening, with President Felipe Calderon pledging to continue battling organized crime and make the country safe.

The Tianguis brings in tour operators to meet with suppliers of tourism services. According to early figures, 800 buyers from more than a dozen will meet with representatives of 460 suppliers and destinations. Thus far, 17,000 appointments have been scheduled. The event concludes on Wednesday.

By Jimm Budd

We have another long weekend coming up as Mexico celebrates November 20th on November 16th. November 20th is the anniversary of the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution and generally is referred to simply as the 20th of November much as Americans usually call their Independence Day “Fourth of July.”

Opened 102 years ago, the Hotel Geneve in the Zona Rosa of Mexico City focuses on the past. Décor is from the early 20th century at an establishment that lodged Winston Churchill and also Charles Lindbergh while he wooed Ann Morrow, then the daughter of the American Ambassador.

Ron Butler, who frequently wrote about Mexico and its appeal to him, died recently of a heart attack in Tucson, according to reports reaching Mexico City. After a career with several magazines in New York City, Ron took up freelancing and settled in Arizona, where costs are lower. Among his proudest accomplishments was his book, “Dancing Alone in Mexico.”