Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. So we've put together a brief overview of several of this week's news headlines from local Spanish language publications, a few Mexico news stories, and some upcoming events you won't want to miss.

Macedonio León New Head of Reglamentos

In an effort to maintain order and regulate the operation all of the different lines of business found in the city, Puerto Vallarta Mayor Ramón Guerrero Martínez commissioned Doctor Macedonio León Rodríguez as the Dirección General de Inspección y Reglamentos (General Director of Inspections and Regulations) earlier this month. Commenting on his new job, Leon said, "it is a responsibility that I take with all seriousness... I know that this is obviously a complex area, but I took on the challenge to manage and enhance the work of our department, which is to ensure that all of the businesses operating in Puerto Vallarta are operating in accordance with the licenses granted to them." The official emphasized that Reglamentos was not looking to harm merchants in any way, but to make sure that all business activities are being carried out within the law and according to municipal regulations.

Mexico's Labor Reforms Affect U.S. Firms

For the first time in 40 years, Mexico has instituted significant labor reforms, a move that has far-reaching implications for its employers as well as US companies doing business here. Historically, US companies with Mexican operations have managed labor obligations by outsourcing or subcontracting to service companies that provide workers for a fee. In this arrangement, workers are employees of the service company, which is contractually responsible for labor obligations. The new law established heavy fines for foreign companies found to be using outsourcing arrangements for the purpose of avoiding labor obligations, including payment of profit sharing. Now, there is practically no way for a foreign employer to avoid labor liability, which has generally been considered the major business justification for paying a high markup to a service company.

PV Possible Venue for Routes Americas 2015 Convention

Earlier this month, executives from the Routes Americas 2015 organizing committee spent three days in Puerto Vallarta making inspection visits around the city, in view of it becoming a candidate for their convention in two years. This important event brings together the cream of the tourism based aviation industry. If Puerto Vallarta is chosen as the host city, the event would most likely take place in February of 2015, and would bring representatives from 75 airlines and 170 airports, as well as 450 delegates to our city. It would undoubtedly result in the negotiation of an increase in flights to Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport.

GAP Reports Air Passenger Traffic Increase

Last week, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP), which operates twelve airports throughout Mexico's Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, and the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, announced preliminary terminal passenger traffic figures for the month of April 2013 compared to traffic figures for April 2012. During April 2013, total terminal passengers increased 3.4% compared to the previous year. Domestic passenger traffic increased 5.1%, while international passenger traffic increased 0.5% compared to April 2012.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around the Bay
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• Vallarta Restaurant Week, May 15-31

• Hungarian Pianist Concert at Teatro Vallarta

• Vallarta Bugambilia Festival, May 17-25th

• 'Pride Vallarta 2013' Scheduled for May 24-26th

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurants in our 2013 Best of Banderas Bay Awards, right HERE on BanderasNews.com. We'll be collecting your votes in categories ranging from 'Best Breakfast' to 'Best Margarita' through December 31st, and the Puerto Vallarta restaurant with the most votes in each category will be named 'The Best of Banderas Bay' at an awards ceremony in early 2014. Click HERE to vote NOW!