COZUMEL - TRAVEL AGENT MAGAZIINE

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Cozumel Announces New Tourism Developments
Published on: April 25, 2008 -- advertisement --

The Mexican Caribbean island of Cozumel and the Cozumel Promotion Board announced new hotel options, flights, attractions, beautification projects and more for 2008. New and increased domestic flights will further ease access to Cozumel. Starting July 1, Mexicana Airline´s Click will increase service on its Mexico City to Cozumel route to offer flights twice daily. Vivaaerobus, a low cost airline, now provides direct service from Monterrey to the island three times per week. New airline operator Mayair now offers daily shuttle service between Cancun and Cozumel, flying four times a day. Mayair also offers flights from Cozumel to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World - Chichen Itza, providing island guests with quicker access to Mexico's archaeological site.

Direct flights to Cozumel are prevalent out of several U.S. cities including: Atlanta (Delta Airlines), Charlotte (U.S. Airways), Denver (Frontier Airlines), Dallas (American Airlines), Houston (Continental Airlines), Miami (American Eagle), and Newark (Continental Airlines).

The Promotional Board also announced that the Puerta Maya Pier is scheduled to reopen and begin receiving cruise ships Nov. 1, 2008. Damaged from Hurricane Wilma back in 2005, the Puerto Maya Pier has been out of operation since the storm and is currently undergoing construction. In addition, Cozumel will be adding a new pier to its shores. Scheduled to open at the end of 2009, the Caletita Pier will act as a cargo pier and be the new embarkation point for all vehicle ferries traveling between Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula. Construction on the pier is scheduled to begin later this year with an investment of $12 million. Additionally, Cozumel has officially broken ground and begun the development of the new Marina Cozumel. The newly constructed marina will be located in the southwest region of the island, adjacent to the Presidente InterContinental Resort and Spa. Adding to the island's selection of upscale accommodations is the new Aura Cozumel Wyndham Grand Bay, which opened in January 2008. Cozumel will also welcome the new Holiday Village White Sands resort to the island. Located at what was once the Occidental Allegro, the property has undergone major renovations and will reopen as the Holiday Village White Sands with new furnishings, décor, restaurant, bar and lounge and more. The 261-room resort is geared to families and offers 40 special oversized rooms for families to enjoy. There is also a water park on the property with several pools, water slides and additional water activities for both children and parents.

The island's newest attraction, Fly High Adventures, is an eco-park that offers the latest in eco-adventure experiences – zip lining. Another new marine encounter available in Cozumel can be found at the Stingray Sports Park where visitors can enjoy snorkeling among the stingrays, while encountering other marine life. In 2007 Cozumel, along with the nearby destinations of Playa del Carmen and Xcaret, introduced La Travesia Sigrada Maya or the Mayan Sacred Journey, a new cultural project developed to reenact one of the most important traditions of the Mayan people - the pilgrimage to Cozumel to pay tribute to the Goddess Ix Chel, whose sanctuary lies on the island. An annual event, the journey will take place this year from May 30 to June 1. Ensuring that downtown remains a place for visitors to enjoy for years to come, Cozumel has implemented several revitalization projects. As part of the program, sidewalks have been repaved and widened throughout a 20-block area to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, particularly for visitors using wheelchairs. The additional sidewalk space also provides restaurants and cafes the opportunity to offer outdoor dining in many areas so tourists can take advantage of Cozumel's great weather while taking in the local culture. New garden areas with benches and artwork continue to sprout throughout downtown. For more information, visit www.islacozumel.com.mx.