Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Great news! Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have officially been named the venues that will host the 2012 Tianguis Turistico, Mexico's largest tourism expo.

This was confirmed this morning by Tourism Secretary, Fernando Olivera Rocha, who said that the bid was won due to the quality of hotels and the facilities the Banderas Bay region offers; air connectivity to Vallarta, and of course the Puerto Vallarta Convention Center, where the event will be held.

The Secretary of Tourism said that the bid presented by Jalisco / Nayarit (Puerto Vallarta - Riviera Nayarit) beat out the competition to be the new host destination, and that the decision is irrevocable.

The proposal was submitted to the judges as "Two Destinations, One Paradise," offering 29 thousand hotel rooms; and the recently built 15,000 square meter Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, which can host events with up to 7,000 participants.

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are two of Mexico´s leading beach destinations which have begun collaborating to promote the destinations as an excellent convention destination to event organizers across the US.

The first open call to host the national event involved 18 destinations, among them Boca del Rio, Veracruz; Mazatlan, Sinaloa; Acapulco, Guerrero; Guadalajara, Jalisco and Mexico City.

Early this March, the Ministry of Tourism stated that it would leverage the event’s size and prestige across various destinations in Mexico, using the event to promote tourism throughout the country.

A heartfelt congratulations to the two destinations that have earned the opportunity to host the Tourism Tianguis 2012. After a difficult season for many business owners, this is very good news for our destination, indeed.