Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Republic, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Vallarta news headlines, some breaking Mexico news stories, and a few upcoming local events you won't want to miss.

Domestic Carrier Launches Operations

Travelers now have another air option for travel within Mexico: TAR Airlines. The carrier is based in Queretaro, 45 miles from San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico, and serves Monterrey, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco and Durango. The low-cost airline plans to add service to/from Toluca, west of Mexico City, later this year, according to Mauricio Salomon, the secretary of tourism for the state of Queretaro.

The British are Coming! (Back to Vallarta)

Yesterday afternoon, the first TUI Fly flight from Manchester, England arrived at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport with 250 passengers on board, reactivating English tourism in the Vallarta-Nayarit region.
A fiesta de bienvenidos - complete with a Mariachi band, traditionally clad Huicholes, complimentary cocktails and welcome gifts - hosted by the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board and the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau - greeted the passengers, along with TUI's Mexico and Cuba managers and the British ambassador to Mexico, Duncan Taylor. According to Richard Zarkin, PR manager of the Riviera Nayarit CVB, this flight sets a very important precedent in bringing back European flights, which were suspended about seven years ago. "This is another result of the joint promotion with Puerto Vallarta, which represents an investment of more than 13 million dollars, in addition to the combined efforts of the three levels of government," he said.

Casino Night Benefits Asilo San Juan Diego

Last Friday night was a hit for the Asilo San Juan Diego, as Velas Vallarta hosted Casino Night to benefit Puerto Vallarta's non-profit senior citizens center. Personalities from all areas of the local community enjoyed a night full of fun that included wonderful hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, entertainment by Mariachis and a DJ, raffles, and of course, the casino. Attendees included the representative of the State Government in Puerto Vallarta, Andrés González Palomera who, with his wife Ana Bertha Gonzalez Spiller, were part of this worthy event to benefit the center and its programs. Asilo San Juan Diego's mission is to improve the quality of life for senior citizens, offering solutions that allow them to continue in their process of personal and emotional development while generating a community culture based on respect, care and support through programs that encourage potential, allowing them to live self-sufficiently. The center also offers local families the opportunity to enjoy the day program that cares for and supports their elderly in a pleasant space while receiving occupational therapy, medical attention, and recreation. For more information, or to make a tax deductible donation to this worthy cause, visit AsiloSanJuanDiego.com.mx.

Mexico and the US Sign Agreement on Small Business Cooperation

In a further step in deepening US-Mexico economic cooperation, Caroline Tess, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Canada, Mexico and Regional Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of State and Enrique Jacob Rocha, President of the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INADEM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to connect U.S. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) with Mexico's Entrepreneurial Support Network. This bilateral agreement furthers President Obama's Small Business Network of the Americas (SBNA) initiative by helping entrepreneurs in the United States and Mexico grow their business and tap into global business opportunities. The signing took place during the meeting of the Mexican-US Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council (MUSEIC) from April 23-25 at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Under the new agreement, U.S. SBDCs will work together with centers in Mexico to help small business grow in their local markets and expand internationally. Collectively, the U.S. and Mexican networks boast nearly 2,000 centers serving over 1 million small businesses. Read more at Mexidata.info.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• 10th Annual Vallarta Altruism Festival Set for May 4

• Vallarta Hosts its First FIVB Beach Volleyball Open

• Riviera Nayarit Salsa and Mambo Festival, May 8-11th