Last month, both Mexican and American travel suppliers came
together to network during a fun-filled celebration known as
Mazatlan’s Gran Fiesta Amigos. Literally meaning the Festival of
Friends, this annual event is now quite the occasion in its 12th
year. This year’s event, sponsored by the city of Mazatlan, the
Mazatlan Hotel Association and the state of Sinaloa, was also an
opportunity for the city to show off its recent revitalization.
The event kicked off with a spectacular show. The “Sarruga”
International Show Parade was a stunning light show with decorated
floats and interpretive dancing. Streets were cordoned off and
people gathered along the sidewalks to watch the spectacle unfold
alongside the sea. Afterward, the performance was followed by a
reception with dinner and entertainment in the courtyard of the
Hotel La Siesta, located near the waterfront in Mazatlan’s colonial
district.
During the second day of the four-day event, participants
attended the Business Session Meetings, a day where they can wheel
and deal, hosted by El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel, which was followed
by a gala dinner at the Hotel Luna Palace. Guests were seated at
tables around the pool for a buffet dinner, followed by a 20-minute
performance.
Day three marked the celebration of the annual Golden Deer
Awards. Guests traveled to the Magic Town of Cosala for the
ceremony, where the mayor was on hand for the festivities as well
as for a personal tour of the quaint village.
After the tour and a brief performance honoring the Day of the
Dead, visitors walked up to the Quinta Minera Cosala hotel for
lunch and the awards ceremony. This year’s winners included: Best
US Tour Operator, Apple Vacations; Best Charter US Operator, MLT
WorryFree Vacations; Best Mexican Charter Operator, Magnicharters;
Best Canadian Charter Operator, Signature Vacations; Best US
Airline, Frontier Airlines; Best E-Business tour Operator,
Travelocity.
Two Special Golden Deer Awards were also given out. Alfredo
Gomez Rubio, president of the Historic District Project, received a
Golden Deer Award “for his dedication and support in the
endeavor.”
Perla Avendano of the Mexican Tourism Board also received a
special Golden Deer Award for her “support in facilitating the
funds for the promotion of Mazatlan.”
The revitalization program, which began in 2002, was developed
to ensure the preservation of Old Mazatlan. Together, residents and
city officials began a massive project to restore the culturally
rich area.
Phase 1 of the program was completed in the summer of 2005. This
initial phase involved restoration, landscaping, underground
electrical wiring and new lighting in colonial areas. It also
included the restoration of the Angela Peralta Theater, a
130-year-old landmark in the heart of El Centro Historico, also
known as Old Mazatlan. This 180-block district, mostly built in the
19th century, has 479 buildings, all of which have been designated
as historical landmarks. Phase 1 also involved renovations of the
Plaza Machado, on which the famous theater resides, transforming
Old Mazatlan into the city’s arts and cultural hub with
restaurants, like the popular Pedro & Lola, museums and shops,
at the heart of this historic core.
Also restored during phase 1 was the Catedral Basilica de la
Immaculada Conception, a cathedral built in the 19th century and
well known for being the only Roman Catholic church with a Star of
David in each of its 28 stained-glass windows.
Phase 2 of Mazatlan’s ongoing revitalization was just completed
in September 2006. This phase brought the renovations to the shore,
and now visitors can enjoy new park benches along the Avenida del
Mar as well as a new 10-mile boardwalk also along the boulevard,
stretching from the Golden Zone to Old Mazatlan.
Improvements to the city are still ongoing. In the upcoming
year, Mazatlan is continuing work on the boardwalk and upgrading
roads and wiring in the Centro Historico. The city is also adding
500 new hotel rooms in 2007, including a five-star Crowne
Plaza.
Mazatlan has also tripled its ad budget in the last three years
and is investing in promotions in the U.S. and Canada.
www.gomazatlan.com
