The Daily Briefing – February 22, 2023

Puerto Vallarta News

Vallarta’s great diffusion is having a positive effect

According to municipal tourism officials, the good tourist moment that Puerto Vallarta is experiencing stems from the city’s “strong diffusion” on a national and worldwide scale.

Events like the Riviera Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta Gala, series filming in the city, and athletic events like the forthcoming Vallarta Open Tennis or the Vinoma Fest are examples of activities that have put the “Puerto Vallarta” brand in the spotlight on a national scale.

This strong start to the year was reflected last weekend, when hotel occupancy rates ranged between 80 and 85%, with numerous businesses reporting a full house in the executive category.

More about Puerto Vallarta: Tips to go whale watching in Puerto Vallarta

Gala 2023 exceeds expectations

The Gala Riviera Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta 2023 event exceeded expectations, generating over 2,000 appointments; additionally, the alliances created with various commercial partners will allow the promotion of the destination throughout the year, while also promoting air and land connectivity, novelties, and infrastructure of the destination, with the goal of maintaining a constant flow of tourists to the region.

The tourism sectors of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit qualified the 28th edition of the Riviera Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta Gala, where they gathered important tourists from the United States, Canada, Spain, and Mexico, as well as more than 100 hotels from Puerto Vallarta and its metropolitan area, who reached important commercial agreements, as a success.

Los Cabos News

The Gray Whale Festival is expected to generate significant economic revenue for Comond

Following two years of no tourism events, the municipality of Comond will restart the most important activities for this destination from February 24 to 26, where a wide range of aquatic sports and leisure activities will be produced in the XXVI Gray Whale Festival of Puerto San Carlos.

A preliminary sighting of approximately 35 cetaceans was recorded, which tourists visiting this site can admire.

The coronation of the 2023 edition’s kings and queens, as well as the tasting of gastronomic delights, are among the activities planned.

The queens will be crowned: child queen; King of Joy; and Queen of the XXVI Gray Whale Festival.

More about Los Cabos: 4 unmissable experiences in Los Cabos in 2023

Museum reopens with exhibition “Fondo Marino”

The San José del Cabo Marine Museum has just opened its new exhibition “Fondo Marino,” which showcases the skills of local artists and celebrates the reopening of a long-closed location. The general public is admitted free of charge and can visit at particular times every day.

Visitors to this show will be able to view a variety of artwork inspired by the region’s seafloor. The exhibit includes abstract and realistic paintings that depict the beauty and diversity of the marine world.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. indefinitely. Irene Roman Salgado, general director of the Los Cabos Institute of Culture and the Arts, invites the entire family to the exhibition and to admire the skills of local artists.

Cancun News

Over 7.7 million cruise ship passengers visited Mexico in 2022

More than 7.7 million cruise ship passengers visited Mexico in 2022. According to the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, the 7.7 million tourists arrived at the country’s different ports last year.

From January to December 2022, 2,666 cruise ships were recorded in the country. He reported that on average, a cruise ship passenger spent $76.70 USD in Mexico, an increase of 8.2 percent over 2021 spending.

The ports that received the highest number of cruise passengers in Mexico were Cozumel and Mahahual, in Quintana Roo, Ensenada, Baja California, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Among these ports, they captured 94.6 percent of the total number of passengers in Mexico during 2022.

 More about Cancún: Mexican Caribbean destinations on the top 2023 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice

Tourists Having Trouble Reclaiming VAT at Cancun Airport

International tourists have been experiencing difficulty obtaining VAT refunds at Cancun Airport due to technical challenges with the airport’s digital pass initiative.

According to local reports, there is a “operational difficulty” with the Cancun International Airport’s digital pass trial program. Because the present system no longer provides international newcomers with the sealed Multiple Migration Form at the airport, they are unable to receive any VAT refunds when they depart the country.

Incentives such as VAT refunds can benefit local tourism sectors by allowing visitors from the United States and Canada to claim tax breaks on specific consumer goods purchased in Mexico.

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