For your consideration:

Who: The American School of Puerto Vallarta
What: Open House
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2015, from 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Where: Albatros 129, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, CP. 48335
Cost: Free of charge

Statistics at the close of 2014 indicate the Riviera Nayarit social media accounts showed an overall increase; the benefit is holistic as both the destination and the consumer benefitted.

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Marketing Department implemented several strategies over 2014 in order to increase exposure on social media and grow sales via the websites, as well as position the destination and incentivize consumers with promotions; all of these efforts were successful.

Different seasonal promos were disseminated via the e-marketing department on the websites offering special pricing for the consumer, which increased sales 18% over 2013.

The department held three Twitter Parties generating nearly 40,000 tweets, over 184 thousand retweets and a reach of more than 131 million impressions. They also held a Facebook contest that resulted in over 24 million impressions.

During the course of the year they launched 26 Facebook campaigns, generating over 9 million impressions and adding approximately 10 thousand new fans. This was in addition to the organic results, in other words: results obtained without any campaigns.

The numbers don’t lie and are available for all to see. Highlights include our Spanish-language Facebook page where there was a 666% increase in fans, while the English-language page grew 486%.

Twitter followers grew by 58% in the Spanish-language account and 66% in the English-language one. The YouTube account had 240 thousand views, an increase of 110%. All the percentages indicate growth for 2014 over 2013.

Other social media accounts were also opened in 2014 including Pinterest and Instagram, both of which are being grown according to user preference; they have been diversifying the direct contact options between the destination and its visitors.

All the e-marketing efforts have produced multilateral benefits that wouldn’t have been possible if not for the Riviera Nayarit Social Media Club, composed of local hotels and service providers.

This CVB is grateful for their unconditional support and most of all for agreeing to join us in our dream of working together in favor of the people of Nayarit.

REPORT AN ERROR

Riviera Nayarit, a stunning region in Mexico, reaffirmed its status as a celebrity hotspot after Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow flocked there last weekend along with children Apple, 10 and Moses, 8.

Staying in the exclusive Punta Mita resort the 42-year-old Iron Man actress was seen soaking up the sun on the beach and enjoying a few margaritas, whilst celebrating friend Crystal Lourd’s 50th birthday.

Celebrations continued into the night in the form of an intimate party at a luxurious private house, Casa China Blanca. Other famous faces at the event included Full House star Lori Loughlin, Chord Overstreet, Joe Jonas, model and Revenge alum Amber Valletta, Monique Lhuillier and Alexandra von Furstenberg.

REPORT AN ERROR

Restaurants from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita and more than 80 local artisans, craftmen and purveyors will be offering their unique regional art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, drinks and food.

Local author pens children’s book about a special village in Mexico

• "Great way to spend a day in PV"
  
  
• "Outstanding tours for charity"
  
  
• "A peek into breathtaking homes"
  
  
• "See fabulous traditional and modern homes"
  
  
• "See the sights and help the kids"

A cultural arts space recently opened its doors that offers the area’s visitors a new alternative attraction and Mexican artists a new exhibit area: the curatorial project, La Galería, is now open through March in Punta de Mita, the Riviera Nayarit’s Glamour Peninsula.

La Galería’s specialty lies in showcasing talented Mexican artists and aims to achieve international admiration and recognition for Mexican brands that push the limits of luxury design and craftsmanship in one of the most exclusive destinations in the country.

“Opening a new store in Punta de Mita is hard, but opening a brand new concept in Mexico is exciting,” says Lolita Santos, curator of La Galería.

Each designer chosen to exhibit embodies three key elements: youthfulness, sleek elegance and individuality. La Galería will also give these artists a global platform through its online store with worldwide shipping when it debuts its website on February 1st.

La Galería pop-up gallery is located in El Anclote and is open from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. During these times customers will have access to a curated selection of products and services.

This new option for cultural tourism seeks to add to the positioning of the destination as well as attract more visitors. Stay tuned for the February 1st website launch to view and purchase pieces from this exquisitely curated collection of luxurious Mexican contemporary works.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tianguis is the largest tourism showcase in all of Mexico, attracting hundreds of local exhibitors, and thousands of international buyers. The event is also open to the general public, providing locals with the knowledge they need to visit other parts of their own country. Still, the main objective remains to put Mexico first and foremost in the global marketplace for tourism.

Last year Tianguis was held in Cancun / Riviera Maya, a region known for its beautiful beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and party atmosphere. However, there are other options for those seeking something more traditional and laid back. There are many nearby islands easily reached by public and private vessels, some inhabited and some completely natural.

Tiangus 2014 - Island Hopping Around Cancun

Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a small island located just a short 20 minute ferry ride away from Cancun. It is only 500 meters wide and 7.5km long, and is filled with Mayan history and not overly touristy. Many venture over for day trips to visit Dolphin Discovery where they can swim with dolphins, kayak, snorkel bike ride, and zipline across the water on the only circuit over the Caribbean Sea. For those wanting a more relaxed pace, there are several types of accommodations on the island to bed down for a night or two. As well the downtown section is filled with cafes, bars, and restaurants, many with great views of Cancun across the water. The island got its name after the founding of a number of statues of women among the many Mayan temples on the island, built as respect to the sacred Mayan goddess of childbirth and medicine, IxChel. Golf carts, motorcycles and bicycles are the most common means of transportation on the island and are available for rent locally. Isla Mujeres is home to the Annual Whale Shark Festival and is an ideal place to snorkel and dive in the many coral reefs and caves that surround the island.

Located further northwest of Cancun, Holbox (Black Hole) is just 42 km long. It's about a two hour drive from Cancun, separated from the mainland coast by a shallow lagoon which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other exotic birds and creatures. This distance from Cancun also makes it a sanctuary for those seeking serenity and relaxation. The streets of Holbox Island are made of white sand, and travel is by foot, bike or golf carts. Vehicles are rarely seen. Holbox is definitely a place most are unaware of, yet the quality of luxury accommodations and fine dining have blossomed due to the fact of many foreigners relocating there to take up residence. For the budget conscious traveller, there's also a hostel and several take-away shops offering authentic Mexican cuisine. It's also a prime spot for kiteboarding enthusiasts. Stay at Hotel Las Nubes for a unique and boutique experience, and think of this as your own private playground.

Luxury Accommodations

Tianguis Turistico Mexico Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary in Acapulco
For those preferring to stay on the mainland, Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach is nestled on one of Quintana Roo's finest stretch of private beaches. The resort offers 10 restaurants and bars, and an awe-inspiring swimming pool that spans the length of the hotel. All 602 suites offer spacious comfort and feature breathtaking ocean views, bringing glimpses of sea and sand at every turn. Picture-perfect vistas offer an unobstructed view of nearby Isla Mujeres. As well, the all-inclusive Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort offers a seemingly boundless stretch of beautiful beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Take time to enjoy the 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, or relax in the Luxurious Spa with 39 treatment rooms, including a Golden Suite. As for activities, there's surfing, nightly outdoor entertainment, a teen lounge, dozens of restaurants, bars, and cafes, and NOIR Nightclub pulsates late into the night, The property features three distinct sections, Sunrise, Nizuc and Grand, with all rooms having their own whirlpool bath and in-room mini-bar or personal liquor dispenser.

New Initiatives - Adventure, Entertainment, and Lifestyle

As with elsewhere around the world, adventure tourism in Mexico is a growing market. Three years ago another trade show was spawned from visionaries who attended Tianguis. The Adventure Travel Trade Association launched Adventure Travel Mexico (ATMEX) in partnership with Visit Mexico, and held their first two events in Veracruz. Last year they moved it to San Cristóbal in Chiapas, the same place the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit was held.

Tianguis was also the place where Cirque du Soleil and Grupo Vidanta unveiled the name and plans for JOYÀ, an intimate and immersive theatrical and culinary experience that opened this past November at Cirque du Soleil Theater in Riviera Maya near The Grand Mayan resort. JOYÀ combines culinary and performing arts in an intimate theatre setting that engage the audience's five senses. Drawing on Mexico's history and heritage, JOYÀ tells the story of an alchemist and his granddaughter embarking on a transformative quest to uncover the secrets of life.

LGBT Confex also attended, which marked the first time an LGBT-focused company participated in the conference at this this level, highlighting how important the segment has become for the country. These are the same producers behind the LGBT Business Expo, Latin America's leading LGBT business and tourism event. The organization also hosted a reception at Oasis Sense Cancun, an adult's only 5-star all-inclusive hotel property.

Tiangus 2015 - Acapulco's New Drug is Tourism

From the beginning, the event had always been held in Acapulco, until a few years back when the organizers decided to have the show travel to other regions, including Puerto Vallarta / Riviera Nayarit and Puebla. This was in part due to the tarnished reputation that Acapulco was quickly getting with international media. Not only were inbound visitation numbers on the decline, so were the number of attendees at Tianguis. With recent changes at both the regional tourism and government sectors, newly implemented infrastructures to the oceanfront Costera Avenue, and new hotel properties being built, things are once again on the upswing. As well, a new urban transit service called Acabus is being introduced, and the "Macrotunnel Project" will now connect the Diamante Zone with the Traditional Zone.There's even a new campaign, "The best is yet to come.Acapulco is reborn", proving that Acapulco eagerly wants to get the message across that their new drug is tourism.

Last year Kevin Spacey was brought in to tout the benefits of tourism to the country. He praised the government for tax reforms making it more enticing for foreigners to invest and live there, which in turn he said could lead to more movies and music videos being made there. The almost one and a half million square miles making up Mexico's geography are home to a large cultural and natural diversity. From the Baja California Peninsula to the Yucatan Peninsula, landscapes and history are interwoven to make Mexico an unparalleled attraction. Its territory, divided into 32 states, is encircled by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Ocean to the east, comprised of 34 biosphere reserves.UNESCO has also declared 27 archaeological sites, historic centres, and natural areas as World Heritage Sites.

As well, Mexico seems have the pulse on technology as well. According to eTourism Monitor, the country ranks third in the number of social media followers. The Facebook page for Visit Mexico has more than one million followers, surpassing both of its North American compatriots.

Tianguis Turístico Mexico 2015 will be held in Acapulco, Guerrero between March 23rd and 26th at Mundo Imperial Acapulco, presented in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Mexico Tourism Board. Attendees can find information on a variety of interests, such as Sun and Beaches, Culture, Luxury, Business, and Adventure.

Follow Bryen Dunn on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@Bryen_Dunn

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[readon1 url="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bryen-dunn/tianguis-turistico-mexico_b_6459824.html"]Source:www.huffingtonpost.com[/readon1]

Monday Nights, Beginning January 12

The IFC continues its Monday Night Movies this season with an exciting “Hollywood Classics”

With winter break over, students now can look forward to planning how to unwind over spring break.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal. - Good traditions strengthen people’s culture, and there is no doubt that Brucerias’ Patron Saint Celebration has been preserved with enthusiasm, thanks to its religious, social, commercial and touristic value.

Puerto Vallarta’s Marina is like a boundary within a boundary.