Story by Bob Schulman

Acapulco – Future visitors to Mexico will be able to experience a wider range of the country’s historical and cultural attractions under new programs announced by Mexico’s recently appointed tourism minister, Gloria Guevara.

Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara, accompanied by President Felipe Calderon, tomorrow is scheduled to announce her plans for the department she took control of in April. Among these will be ten “itineraries” or “routes” it is hoped tourists will follow, spreading the wealth as they see more of the country. One such route might combine Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo with the town of Tequila and with Guadalajara, although the minister has declined to confirm this.

Now that United and Continental are flying together, more talk is heard about merging Aeroméxico and Mexicana. For the moment, it is just that, talk. Meanwhile, new low-fare carrier Interjet has reiterated its interest in acquiring new low-fare carrier Volaris.

Volaris inaugurated service to San José, California recently. Former Finance Minister Pedro Aspe, television magnate Jean Azcárraga and world’s richest man Carlos Slim are partners in the Volaris venture. They have put out word that several purchase offers are being reviewed.

By Jimm Budd

Cancun, Mexico (May 13th, 2010) – Cancun recently ranked number two in Orbitz’s Index Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations for 2010, placing it first among international travel destinations. This edition of the Orbitz Insider Index was based on the most popular travel retreats for Memorial Day weekend through the heart of the summer season, and destinations that are budget-minded for travelers looking to find the best deals.

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.