Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Travel Adventures

State of Yucatan Continues Tourism Launches SEFOTUR #YucatanisFlavor Campaign in Los Angeles

Following the successful completion of its “365 Days of Yucatan” campaign, the state of Yucatan has announced further work as part of its reactivation plan. The 365 Days of Yucatan effort took place in 2021 and 2022, during which time 365 tourism products — many developed specifically as part of the campaign — were promoted to local, national and international visitors, and helped return visitor numbers to pre-pandemic levels.

Delicious Yucatan Dishes to Enjoy

This month, I attended the SEFOTUR launch of its newest campaign, “365 Flavors of Yucatan.” Promoted under the hashtag #YucatanIsFlavor, the campaign aims to increase awareness of the state's culinary offerings, rich cultural history and modern gastronomy as an important part of its tourism offer. It positions Yucatan as one of Mexico's foodie destinations in an effort to expand tourism to all regions of the state and develop new products.

The Colors of Yucatan event at Mexican American Art Museum in Los Angeles included Juan Chan Yucatan Chef of EK' BALAM and associate chef who prepared delicious authentic Yucatan bites to enjoy with cocktails, a Yucatan dance production featured authentic Yucatan costumes, VIP introductions to team members including Michelle Fridman Hirsh, Yucatan Minister of Tourism who discussed the 365 Yucatan experience in detail, Gilberto Luna, Deputy Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles who spoke fondly of delicious foods prepared by his mother who was from Yucatan, and Yucatan team officials who were participating in the #YucatanIsFlavor campaign. The group were leaving that night headed for the next event in San Diego, California.

In keeping with the state’s objective to develop tourism offerings throughout its borders and share the wealth of an expanding tourism industry, Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal and Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism for the state of Yucatan, announced a number of initiatives that will continue to position the state as a key player not only in Mexico, but on the international tourism destination scene.

One area of great change is the Yucatan Riviera, which has seen an increase in boutique hotels, Airbnb rentals, beach clubs and event spaces. One of the most promoted projects is the expansion of the Puerto Progreso cruise port; cargo ships carrying up to 100,000 tons of freight and passenger ships with up to 8,000 passengers will be able to call at the port. There is also a letter of intent with Fincantieri to build the largest shipyard in all of the Americas through an investment of more than $400 million.

Yucatan has been proactively courting the cruise industry since its attendances at the 2018 iteration of the annual Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference with a delegation of state decision-makers, including Vila Dosal and Fridman.

From January to April of this year, 48 cruise ships arrived in Yucatan, transporting a total of 142,228 passengers. More than 100 cruises are scheduled to call at Progreso this year, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Enchantment of the Seas, which arrived on June 10 from Galveston, Texas, with 2,284 passengers and a crew of 861 people Carnival Ecstasy which called on the port on July 7^th with 3,267 people on board.

Yucatan VIP Hosts with Gilberto Luna, Deputy Consul General of Mexico in LA

Despite a welcome increase in tourism to the beach areas of the Yucatan Riviera, government initiatives and education efforts have helped not only maintain but enhance the health of the area’s environment. This month, it was announced that the seven main Yucatecan beaches have reduced their solid waste contamination by up to 94% and had received platinum certification for the second year in a row by the Mexican Institute for Standardization and Certification. This includes the beaches of Río Lagartos, Celestún, Telchac, Sisal, Cancunito, San Felipe and El Cuyo.

Jewish Life JLTV Brad Pomerance & Wife Enjoying Yucatan Event

Airlift is also increasing to Merida International Airport (MID). This month, it was announced that a new daily direct flight from Mexico City’s Toluca Airport will start on Sept. 9 with Viva Aerobus. With this new route, Yucatan increases the number of available direct national air routes to nine. Air route recovery now exceeds 100% of the supply of seats that had been available on domestic routes prior to the pandemic. International routes have recovered part of pre-pandemic frequencies, with direct and non-stop flights to Merida from Dallas, Houston, Miami, Oakland and Tijuana/San Diego.

In addition, new air routes connecting the Guatemalan city of Flores operated by TAG Airlines expands access across the Maya World, and the reactivation of the flight from León Guanajuato to Mérida, operated by Volaris, connects two of the most historically rich states on Mexico’s map.
On June 13, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Mexico, pointing out that there is no restriction on the state of Yucatan. “Exercise normal precautions,” the advisory reads. “There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state.”

A highlight of the special Colors of Yucatan event was a visit from Gilberto Luna Deputy Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles. He shared his pleasure to be part of the Yucatan promotion and said his mother was from Yucatan which made this part of Mexico very special to him. He commented on how much he enjoyed the food which reminded him of his mother.

Yucatan is rich in natural, cultural, and heritage attractions, with more than 3,000 impressive cenotes and 234 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches lapped by emerald and turquoise waters. It boasts wide and varied wildlife, is home to the pink flamingo in Mexico, has archaeological sites of world relevance such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal, is a cultural mosaic where the living culture of the Mayans stands out, and offers a vast and exquisite gastronomy, colonial cities, magical towns and much more.

Yucatan is a so-called State of Peace, a designation signed by 30 Nobel Peace Prize winners in 2019, and its capital city, Merida, is the only one in the world to be recognized twice as the American Capital of Culture. Merida is also the only city in Mexico named one of the Top 10 of Best Cities in the World by Condé Nast Traveler in 2021 in the category of large cities.

It connects directly with some of the main airports in the country such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancún, Tijuana, and Oaxaca, as well as connecting internationally with the cities of Miami, Houston, Oakland, Dallas, Toronto, Havana, and Guatemala from April 29, 2022.

This was a wonderful and informative evening spent with such loving people from Yucatan who made it clear this is the new "go to" destination in Mexico! Can't wait to spend some time there getting to know the #TheColorsofYucatan. For more information, visit yucatan.travel, @yucatanturismo

Frida Kahlo The Life of an Icon, made its debut in Montreal in June

2022, and was presented by the Frida Kahlo Corporation in association with Primo Entertainment. The immersive audio-visual experience that guides the audience through the life and career of one of the world’s most iconic female artists features seven transformational spaces, 360 degree projections and virtually reality, allowing attendees to fully experience the colors, sounds and imagery of the interactive biographical journey of Frida. Guests are transported to Kahlo’s Mexico through the end of July at Arsenal Contemporary Art, located at 2022 William Street, Montreal, Canada. For Montreal tickets visit: www.fridakahlomontreal.com and will then travel to cities in the US.

The story of Frida Kahlo, one of the most influential artists in history is brilliantly told through digital art, historical photographs, projections, and installations accompanied by virtual reality experiences that

reproduce the most relevant moments of her life and work. Following unprecedented success in Spain, the exhibition is debuting in Montreal, the only Canadian showing, cities in the Us, and then Latin America. Miami-based Primo Entertainment produced this exhibition in North America; an industry leader in United States and Latin America they work with the most important artists, as well as most recognizable formats and exhibitions in the world creating one-of-a-kind experience for everyone. For information visit: www.primo-entertainment.com.

The Frida Kahlo Corporation is the global provider of Frida Kahlo brand goods and services, whose mission is to educate, share and preserve Frida Kahlo’s art, image, and legacy. It also contributes a portion of the funds received to worthy community-based charitable organizations that are committed daily to improving the life of women and children.

If you are not in Montreal, the exhibit will be touring the United States exhibits in Salt Lake City, Utah, San Diego, California, St. Louis, Missouri, Miami, Florida, New York City, New York, Portland, Oregon, Phoenix, Arizona and Puerto Rico. For information, dates and ticket information visit: https://www.fridakahloexhibits.com/.

If you are not in Montreal, the exhibit will be touring the United States with exhibits in Salt Lake City, Utah, San Diego, California, St. Louis, Missouri, Miami, Florida, New York City, New York, Portland, Oregon, Phoenix, Arizona and Puerto Rico. For information, dates and ticket information visit: https://www.fridakahloexhibits.com/.

Note: Journalist/Photographer Natasha Melikoff represents www.lifebitesnews.com in Montreal. She graduated with honors in journalism, from Concordia University. Natasha also owns her own successful Floral Design business, Bloem Atelier Floral, located in Montreal. For information visit bloematelierfloral.com. She is the proud mother of Nolan 7 and Theo 3.

Photos: Natasha Melikoff www.lifebitesnews.com LBN Montreal Journalist/photographer staff contributor.