| | |  News from Around Banderas Bay | October 2008 
Puerto Vallarta Upgrades Infrastructure, Offers Host of Festivals and Tournaments
 PVNN
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| | A newly renovated and expanded cruise port and airport, new flights, world-class sports tournaments and cultural festivals are attracting more travelers and meetings and incentive groups to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. | | |
Located on Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is framed by the Bay of Banderas, part of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World - an exclusive club regrouping the world's most striking bays - and the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Puerto Vallarta has a vibrant culinary scene, considered only second best in Mexico to that of Mexico City. The city has been upgrading its infrastructure to better host the growing numbers of visitors with new investments including a newly renovated and expanded cruise port and airport, as well as the construction of a new world-class convention center.
Cruise Port
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular ports of call for cruise ships on Mexico's Pacific coast. An ambitious renovation and expansion program of the port's facilities was recently completed under strict safety and environmental standards. The cruise port is now able to simultaneously accommodate three full-size cruise ships. Each dock can accommodate ships up to 1,020 feet long.
In 2007, 240 cruise ships docked in Puerto Vallarta bringing over 540,000 passengers to the destination, and 275 arrivals are planned for 2008 bringing an estimated 589,000 passengers, a 15% annual increase over 2007.
Currently, the Port Authority is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether Puerto Vallarta could operate as a home port. A new world-class terminal building has also been designed and is currently under construction. Additional docking areas have also been added for smaller vessels offering a steadily increasing number of tourist excursions in Banderas Bay. Additional information available at apivta.com.
Airport Renovation and Expansion
Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport underwent an ambitious renovation and expansion program allowing it to increase capacity by 141%. A new state of the art US $20 million satellite terminal was recently inaugurated serving mainly international flights to/from the USA and Canada and has the capacity to accommodate an additional 800,000 passengers per year. Its modern and spacious installations double the number of available jet bridges for enhanced passenger comfort and moving walkways connect the satellite building to the main terminal. New and improved immigration facilities as well as an updated baggage claim system also allow for quicker arrivals formalities. The new satellite building also houses exclusive open spaces for art and photography exhibits by local artists.
Convention Center
With an investment estimated at US $43 million, Puerto Vallarta's new Convention Center will occupy 42 acres in a convenient location, only a five minute drive from the airport and close to Puerto Vallarta's major hotels, as well as the historic downtown area with its fine dining establishments, art galleries and eclectic shopping options. It will offer over 105,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibition space. The Convention Center's main meeting room, close to 54,000 square feet in size, can be divided into eight fully equipped, state-of-the-art spaces, complete with central air conditioning and connecting sound proofed divisions.
An imposing 250,000 square-foot outdoor square will provide the main entrance to the Convention Center complete with high sails, a reflecting pool and landscaped gardens. The complex will offer 670 car parking spaces as well as a section reserved exclusively for buses that will be able to accommodate up to 50 coaches. The complex will offer a host of services required by large groups and/or conventions such as an exhibition area, small meeting rooms, a theater, a research center, cafeteria, a cultural and educational center, workshop, the latest technology, and first class service in elegant surroundings.
New Direct Flights to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta International Airport has registered a 6.37% increase in overall international flight operations between January and July 2008.
Puerto Vallarta will soon have two additional direct air links with the US. Mexicana Airlines has announced new San Francisco - Puerto Vallarta flights four days a week beginning December 3, 2008 and Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus has announced twice weekly nonstop service to Puerto Vallarta from Austin, TX, starting January 15, 2009.
In Canada, WestJet and WestJet Vacations have announced new seasonal service to Puerto Vallarta from Calgary and Edmonton. Each route will be operated twice weekly, nonstop.
PV Pro- Online Travel Agent Specialist Program
The PV Pro Specialist Program, an interactive on-line training program offering travel agents information and tips on the destination coupled with perks, incentives and ongoing support to help them sell travel to Puerto Vallarta was launched in April 2007 in the USA and Canada. A total of 1,162 travel agents have already graduated from the PV Pro program and 3,722 agents are currently enrolled. Graduates will have the opportunity to participate in two themed familiarization trips to Puerto Vallarta in late September and October 2008 experiencing the destination's culinary offerings as well as art and culture. Each familiarization trip will include site inspections, themed activities, seminars, culinary experiences, and more. Additional information on the program is available at pv-pro.com.
2007 Profile of Puerto Vallarta Visitors
Visitors over the age of 50 compose the largest market growth segment of Puerto Vallarta visitants. In 2001, this group represented 20.13% of overall visitors to Puerto Vallarta. In 2007, the same group accounted for 35.59% of overall visitors.
In 2007, Puerto Vallarta visitors by age group ranked as follows:
21 to 30 years: 21.36%
31 to 40 years: 18.08%
41 to 50 years: 21.29%
Over 50 years: 35.59%
The U.S. continues to rank as the number one source market for tourist arrivals by air to Puerto Vallarta. In 2007, Americans accounted for 68.43% of total arrivals at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, up from 64.58% in 2001. Canada accounts for the second largest segment of visitors by air with 16.43% of arrivals in 2007, a steady increase from the 12.80% it represented in 2001.
Almost half of those who visited Puerto Vallarta in 2007 (49.57%) were visiting the destination for the first time.
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular destination with repeat visitors. In fact, this segment represents one of the largest market growth segments for the destination. 26.7% of travelers to Puerto Vallarta in 2007 were visiting the destination for the fourth time or more, up from 15.54% in 2001.
The most relied upon sources of information about Puerto Vallarta were recommendations from friends and family (58.34%), information from travel agents (18.06%), and internet based research showing steady growth (16.16%).
When asked to rate their satisfaction with their visit to Puerto Vallarta on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being excellent and 1 very poor), the survey presented the following results:
Quality of service at hotels: 4.44
Friendliness of locals: 4.38
Safety: 4.14
Variety and quality of restaurants/culinary options: 4.12
 The proportion of international visitors to Puerto Vallarta (mainly from the U.S. and Canada) has grown from 36.4% of total arrivals in 1990 to 47% in 2007.
The number of international visitors has grown 83% between 1990 and 2007, jumping from 755,777 travelers in 1990 to 1,781,514 in 2007.
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