Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Puerto Vallarta is becoming the new symbol of tourism in Mexico. International visitors have long known of Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone's charm and natural beauty, and these savvy travelers account for 40% of the destination's tourists.

The Director of Tourism, Carlos Gerard Guzman has a mission to increase tourism in Puerto Vallarta, which experienced a sharp decrease in 2009 due to the H1N1 influenza scare and an increase of drug cartel violence in Mexican border towns. Although Puerto Vallarta had only 4 cases of H1N1 and no cartel violence, the impact was devastating to the tourism industry here, which resulted in the loss of many businesses and jobs.

However, in 2012, tourism began to improve, in part because people realized there was nothing to fear in Puerto Vallarta. When visitors returned, they saw the huge infrastructure investment projects which included the complete renovation and widening of the city's Malecón and the South side's newly reconstructed Los Muertos pier.

During this time period, the sidewalks in the city's Zona Romantica were also widened, allowing for more cafe style seating. As a result, 2012 bought 3.7 million visitors to Puerto Vallarta and that number increased by 5% in 2013.

The international hip tourists have realized that besides the refurbished hotels, there are a number of luxury condos available for rent, giving the chic international and national travelers a full range of accommodations. In fact, if you check the PVRPV and Palmera Vacations web sites, you can see over 500 rental properties available, with 70% located in Zona Romantica. Most of these rental properties are two bedroom units offered at reasonable rates which, if divided between four people, will cost each guest as little as $267 pesos a night. This makes taking a luxury vacation in Paradise very affordable to most international and national visitors.

With 17 gay bars, 3 night clubs, 3 gay boat tour companies, 5 gay hotels, 80 restaurants, and even a bar hopping tour, PV's Zona Romantica is quickly becoming a preferred gay destination for international travelers. Besides being situated in a real neighborhood, the weather in Puerto Vallarta is really amazing in that there are only 18 days per calendar year that are not ultimate 'beach days.' Every other gay Mecca has a beach season. PV does not.

An exciting new development in Zona Romantica is the Almar Resort Luxury All Suites & Spa. This 5 star complex, scheduled to take guests by January 2015, is raising the bar even higher for comfort and luxury on the beach. Their Mantamar Beach Club Bar & Grill is already open, serving food by renowned Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, and receiving rave reviews from their guests.

Of course, the most important part of any community is the people. Puerto Vallarta has a world-wide reputation of having extremely friendly and the most welcoming people. The warmth and smiles of the inhabitants of this Mexican enclave have won hearts the world over, which accounts for so many people returning year after year. Once you catch the Vallarta fever, you will long to return - or never leave. The expat community last counted over 30,000 and it's growing daily.

This is why the Vallarta Pride Committee and ACT LGBT A.C. (gay business association) are so excited to welcome international and national visitors to our 5-day Vallarta Pride event, (May 22-26, 2014) which will highlight the gay community which we lovingly call home.

For more information please visit VallartaPride.com.