Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico - The 'Vallarta - Nayarit. Live it to Believe it!' promotional campaign which, led by Mexico’s Tourism Bureau, was created to increase the influx of tourism to both destinations, is already producing impressive results.

On July 30th, an agreement to increase the number of flights and achieve greater connectivity between the Banderas Bay region and four US airports was signed by tourism authorities and Funjet Vacations during a press conference held at the Marival Resort and Suites in Nuevo Vallarta.

The event was headed by the Secretary of Tourism for Nayarit Raul Rodrigo Perez Hernandez, who was accompanied by Funjet Vacations Vice President Kaae Jorn, Riviera Nayarit CVB President Fernando González Ortega, and, as part of the Joint Promotion Committee for Puerto Vallarta, Luis Angel Ohem Guillermo Cantu.

The agreement includes new flights on Saturdays and Wednesdays from Chicago, on Mondays from St. Louis, on Thursdays from Milwaukee and Minneapolis, and a 2014 summer program to be defined.

According to Funjet estimates, these new flights will add 10,469 seats from Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. Louis during the 2013-2014 season, which will result in 40,000 more occupied rooms in the Vallarta-Nayarit region and an increase of $12 million USD in economic impact.

"The signing of this agreement is historically significant, because finally, after many years, with the leadership of President Enrique Peña Nieto the Federal Government has joined the State Governments of Nayarit and Jalisco, the two destinations' CVBs and local entrepreneurs to achieve agreements that benefit us all. This agreement will bring 10,469 new tourists and their vacation dollars here, and that money will help the economy, education, health and welfare of local families," said Tourism Secretary Raul Rodrigo Perez.

"Funjet Vacation is one of the largest partners we work with, but it's important to remember that we're not just signing this agreement but are making this effort with many others, e.g. Vallarta has already signed an agreement with Apple Vacations, and we expect all of these agreements to produce great results for both destinations," said Fernando Gonzalez Ortega.

Funjet Vacations is a family-owned travel wholesaler that has been offering vacation products since 1974. It’s currently the largest independent tour operator in the United States, and specializes in offering flexible and personalized travel packages. It currently works with 19 international airlines and offers travel options to more than 2,600 properties in 900 destinations. Additionally, they have alliances with more than 47,000 travel agents and together with Mark Travel, employs over 1,500 people.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Riviera Nayarit is validating its commitment to supporting promotional efforts like this one, which will eventually transform into social benefits for the people of Nayarit, as they increase the number of tourists in our region and stimulate the economy of the entire state.