Horacio Gonzalez Pardo. Secretary of Tourism in the state of Jalisco, Mexico

<b> Q- New roads for communication between Europe and Guadalajara are opening up. How are the Mexican government and Jalisco’s Tourism Department taking this initiative and what negotiations are underway with Spain, Germany and other countries? </b>

A- We’re working to bring more tourists from all around the world to Jalisco. We welcome lots of American and Canadian travelers, but we must open up to the European, Asian and South American vacationers as well. We traveled to Europe with that goal in mind and we’ve already cut a deal for a charter flight from Madrid to Puerto Vallarta every Tuesday from May through October, plus another one from Madrid to Guadalajara every Friday beginning in June. This will allow tourists traveling both ways between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta to fly to other Mexican states as well. This is a somewhat interesting program and project we’re talking about. Here at the Berlin Fair, I’ve engaged in negotiations with Lufthansa and Twin. The latter is supposed to send a planeload of German tourists toward Puerto Vallarta next winter. As to Lufthansa, there’re talks underway –with the support of the federal government- for that airline to reach out to the Federal District by using Guadalajara as its first alternative airport.

<b> Q- What’s the role Spain should play in this strategy? </b>

A- We wanted to use Spain to drive a wedge into the European market. Given our roots, our traditions, the loving relations between our two peoples, the language and, of course, Spanish investments in Mexico, we think the project could work out. This strategy has paid off and a case in point is the number of Spanish companies that are drawing a bead on Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. If we pull this off with Spain, it’s certainly going to be a whole lot easier with the Italian, French and British markets.

<b> Q- How many Spaniards have traveled to Puerto Vallarta lately? </b>

A- From May through October 2002, the Marsans Group’s 230-seat weekly chartered jetliner tallied 25 flights with occupancy somewhere between 95 and 99 percent. These good outcomes helped make other Spanish companies fly to this destination.

<b> Q- What allures make Guadalajara an interesting destination? </b>

A- Our state’s capital is teeming with major attractions. First of all, we’ve got the beauty of its colonial architecture. The metro area has such landmarks as Tlaquepaque and Tonala, both famous for their colonial ambience and handicrafts. We also have Zapopan and Atlacomulco. Not far from Guadalajara, there’re other sightseeing spots like Tequila, at only a 45-minute drive down the highway. That location, by the way, is well known for the beverage that was distilled and named after the town. Visitors there can visit the world-class distillery at Mundo Cuervo Estate. Other similarly interesting sites are Tapalpa, Chapala and Manzanillo. I must say the state will play host to a couple of major events between the months of May and October this year: the Summit of Presidents from Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union, and the International Eucharistic Meeting, with perhaps the presence of His Holiness John Paul II.

<b> Q- Will Puerto Vallarta continue to invest money in building new infrastructure and upgrading the old one? </b>

A- We are upgrading the existing infrastructure. The Sheraton Hotel reopened recently. We’ve just opened two brand-new golf courses. The bay’s inland is sporting huge, new tourist infrastructure, as well as the area along Jalisco’s Costa Alegre with a nearly 200-mile-long shoreline bathed by the Pacific Ocean. A powerful promotional blitz is just about to begin all along Costa Alegre, from Puerto Vallarta to Barra de Navidad, to make the whole strip much brisker and livelier, and we’re planning to hold a mammoth jazz festival there.

<b> Q- Do you have any plans in store to upgrade roads along Guadalajara’s coastal area? </b>

A- We’re already building several roads all around Jalisco. This is some hefty investment that’s destined to bring benefits for the entire travel industry. There’s a magnificent road under construction that should be completed this year and that runs through Mascota, Talpac, San Sebastian del Oeste and Puerto Vallarta.

<b> Q- How have you beefed up safety and security in Guadalajara and in the state of Jalisco? What differences, in terms of life quality and security, can you find with other states? </b>

A- Puerto Vallarta is the safest place you can find to wander around in a peaceful and safe way day and night. Guadalajara is a big city, and you know, big cities are more unsafe. However, we’ve managed to make a dent in crime lately.

<b> Q- What’s the importance of Puerto Vallarta as a cultural and travel destination? </b>

A- That importance accrues with each passing day, and the best example I can give you is the increasing number of international flights and cruises moving toward Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The list goes on and on endlessly. There are direct flights by, say, Alaska Airlines, from different locations in Canada and the U.S. to Puerto Vallarta; from Vancouver, San Antonio and Portland to Guadalajara. This airline opened recently another direct route from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta and it’s resuming the Los Angeles-Guadalajara flight now. Frontier also has a direct flight from Denver to Puerto Vallarta.

<b> Q- What’s the difference between Jalisco and Nayarit as far as the promotion of Bahia de Banderas is concerned, especially given the proximity between both? </b>

A- We’re negotiating a joint promotional effort. We see this issue from a regional standpoint. We cannot talk about a Jalisco’s Puerto Vallarta and a Nayarit’s Bahia de Banderas because Bahia de Banderas is not called Vallarta. Bahia de Banderas has a colony named New Vallarta. It’s very important for us to share a promotional and advertisement effort that benefits both states.

<b> Q- How do you deal with the complex task of school education and the training of tourism professionals? </b>

A- A country without education is a country with no future; therefore, we’re earmarking huge lump sums of money to tackle this issue. The more funds we have, the better education we’ll be able to provide. The training of our tourism professionals is a key element if we really want to count on the good services that tourists want and need. We’re working on a project for a hotel-school in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. A couple of years ago, Condé Nast Traveler magazine named Puerto Vallarta the world’s friendliest city. That’s why Jalisco’s civil society has a commitment to honor that distinction by offering tourists that come to visit us the best service money can buy.