“IFEMA is the leading body in all attendance indicators inside Spain as far as congresses and events are concerned” FITUR Director Ana Larrañaga explained as she spelled out what IFEMA is all about, its outlay and the large number of events that this organization sponsors every year. Later on in this exclusive interview, Mrs. Larrañaga refers to IFEMA as “a magnificent marketing and advertisement tool to target services in different travel destinations,” and considers that the latest edition outnumbered all previous gatherings. On the other hand, she touches on TOURCOM, the world’s first conference on communication that took place alongside the fair and went untroubled thanks to the organizing efforts of all relevant bodies. TOURCOM added some value of its own to this year’s tradeshow by easing contacts among the commercial, training and informative sides of the event. In the same breath, Mrs. Larrañaga noted the role played by FITUR CONGRESSES as a perfect setting to boost up the inte

For the state government of Guerrero, tourism is the number one economic activity. That’s why local Tourism Secretary Guadalupe Gomez sees the need to improve facilities, services and security there, let alone to branch out offers, especially in destinations like Acapulco. Mrs. Gomez also underscores the importance for Mexico of such fairs as the Acapulco-based Tourist Marketplace and the World Tourism Exposition (WTE), two events that despite pursuing similar goals, are different in essence and do not exclude each other. As to the need to give congress and convention tourism a big boost, the state official refers to a number of strategies and actions to be implemented in that respect. Mrs. Gomez is also for the search of new markets and talks about other major issues in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital.

“Chihuahua is Mexico’s largest state, embracing a surface of 153,478 square miles,” Mr. Valdes Cavazos told Caribbean News Digital as he highlighted the territory’s geographical, archeological and tourist attractions across the board. Mr. Cavazos took some time to underscore the wonders of Barrancas del Cobre as “one of the biggest geological compounds of the Americas,” and the spectacular train ride that tours that area every day. He also spoke about Chihuahua’s major tourist-sending markets and the state’s great conditions to guarantee safety and security, as well as the development of congress and incentive tourism, among other interesting issues.

Awarded by the Caribbean travel media for her outstanding role in providing assistance to news organizations, Mrs. Ortiz-Valcarcel highlights her kindness in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital by giving our readers her personal views about so vital a function for the populations of this region. Her entire career lays bare an unrelenting endeavor toward higher personal goals and absolute dedication to the sector. Her experiences in this field let her come to the early on conclusion that “the delight of the region, right within its diversity, hinges on the genuine and distinctive flavor of each and every destination.” An intimate relationship with the press has also allowed her to ponder the role played by mass media as vital partners in achieving tourist development. Her standpoints are worth taking account of. She talked extensively with Caribbean News Digital about this and other issues.

Since its foundation back in 1982, Cuban airline Aerocaribbean has been steadily on the rise, proudly carrying over 150,000 annual passengers over a span of several years. Director Alberto Velasquez Sanchez weighs the company’s major hits from the renewal of its fleets and its expansion to new markets, all the way to economic development and top achievements. A young man with a successful career under his belt, Mr. Sanchez is proud of the role his air carrier plays today and gives us some insight about the airline’s current status, strengthening efforts and future perspectives.

“Chip off the old block” Jorge Pesquera is a veteran in the tourist business with over 25 years of experience under his belt, including nine years at the helm of the Convention Bureau of Puerto Rico. He’s worked closely with the Puerto Rican Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA). Under his leadership, the Bureau has tripled its sales force and has churned out over $400 million a year. Mr. Pesquera is a member of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce and the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (IACVB). He’s also an advisor for the Colegio International Universitario del Este in Hotel Management and Tourism programs. He’s the heir of an outstanding family tradition in terms of tourist promotions because his father, Kiko Pesquera, was a Bureau pioneer and served as its first Executive Director for more than 40 years. He’s been awarded time and again for his job in both the Caribbean and Puerto Rican leisure industries. Mr. Pesquera’s extensive academic