Mexico struggles to clean seaweed surge from Cancun beaches

MEXICO CITY  — Authorities on Mexico's Caribbean coast said Monday they are redoubling efforts to remove tons of sargassum seaweed that has been washing ashore in recent weeks.

The state government of Quintana Roo, where the resort of Cancun is located, said there have been no reports of tourists cancelling visits because of the problem.

Gov. Roberto Borge said the seaweed removal efforts will focus on much of the coast, from Holbox in the north down past Tulum to the south.

Photos issued by the Cancun city government show piles of brown seaweed on some normally pristine white beaches. By last week, the city said it had raked or shoveled up 500 cubic meters of sargassum.

Borge said the cause of the invasion is still unknown, though it could be due to high levels of nutrients in ocean water or changes in ocean temperatures, currents or wind patterns.

Authorities have to be careful, because there are two groups of visitors they don't want to disturb with overly aggressive removal efforts: nesting sea turtles that return to the Caribbean beaches to lay their eggs, and tourists.

Borge said the effort would take care not to cause erosion on the beaches, which has been a problem in Cancun in the past.

The government announced the formation of a task force of naval and environmental authorities to study the problem. Authorities are also researching ways to use or dispose of the seaweed mounds.

Sargassum is an algae that grows in the Sargasso Sea, a large body of warm water in the mid-Atlantic.

Officials in the Caribbean island of Barbados have also struggled with seaweed washing ashore, and large piles of sargassum washed up on the shore in Galveston, Texas, in 2014 after drifting into the Gulf of Mexico.

source: philstar.com

Caribbean reports record number of tourists, spending in '14

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A record 26.3 million people traveled to the Caribbean last year and spent an unprecedented amount of money in what is considered the world's most tourism-dependent region, officials said Tuesday.

It is the fifth consecutive year that the Caribbean has reported an increase in tourists following an economic crisis that forced resorts to shut down and caused a drop in visitors and spending.

Hugh Riley, the Caribbean Tourism Organization's secretary general, said Caribbean tourism rose by 5.3 percent, while the worldwide tourism growth rate was 4.7 percent.

Officials attributed the increase in part to improvements at airports around the region, the opening of new hotel chains and an increase in direct flights and airline seat capacity.

The Dutch Caribbean saw the most growth, with Aruba for the first time reporting more than 1 million visitors. The Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica also saw an unprecedented number of visitors. Smaller destinations including Haiti, St. Lucia and Belize reported a record number of stay-over arrivals.

A surge in visitors from Canada, the U.S. and Europe helped set those records.


"It tells us that stability is returning to the market," said Richard Sealy, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Tourists overall spent more than $29 billion in the Caribbean last year, an increase of more than $1 billion over the previous year.

The region also welcomed nearly 24 million cruise ship passengers last year, an 8 percent increase, though Winfield Griffith, the organization's research director, said he expected "another shift away from the Caribbean as the cruise lines try to diversity their product" in 2015.

Tourism officials also are keeping an eye on Cuba, with the island expected to attract far more tourists this year as relations between the U.S. and Cuba begin to thaw.

Riley said the organization plans to promote multi-destination travel to ease the potential impact on other islands.

source: philstar.com

Ayala Land Hotels & Resorts: Explore the joy of travel

There is a ubiquitous joy that is synonymous with travel. When we explore different places and synergize with various cultures, we acquire life-changing lessons that incite inspiration, creativity and productivity. If there is one trusted company that understands this more than anyone else, it is Ayala Land. Since 2010, the company has been keeping up with the growth of the hospitality industry via its subsidiary, Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. Starting with its very first five star hotel, InterContinental Manila, AHRC has grown its portfolio to impressive proportions in just two years. AHRC now offers a variety of hotels and resorts that cater to different types of travelers. AHRC spells the difference between living and living well. Affable AHRC group head Junie Jalandoni proudly announced that in addition to the cornerstone hotel whose location is pivotal to the business and commerce industry, InterContinental Manila today has several sister hotels under the AHRC portfolio — global hotel brands like the Fairmont Raffles Makati, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first AHRC hotel line Seda Hotels in BGC in Taguig, Seda Centrio in Cagayan de Oro and Seda Abreeza in Davao and the pristine eco-luxury resorts El Nido Resorts that include Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort in El Nido, Apulit Island Resort in Taytay and the newest portal to paradise, Pangalusian Island Resort.

The best of Filipino hospitality and excellent customer service is embodied in all their properties for both global and local branded hotels and resorts. Worthy to note, Ayala Land’s core value is its customer orientation and this value is reinforced in all its hotels and resorts.

Way back in 1969, there was the InterContinental Manila and everything revolved around it. I remember my siblings and I would tag along with our grandfather Patrocinio Dayrit who was a member of the enduring 365 Club that would regularly converge at the Jeepney Coffee Shop. Like many other families, our family has celebrated several milestones in this hotel. Ayala Land indeed sees beyond generations. Forty-four years later, InterContinental Manila continues to offer the same familiar Filipino hospitality. Manny Rofel, who is in the concierge team of the hotel, shared that he and around 20 colleagues have been with the hotel for almost three decades. He vouches that the InterContinental Manila continues to be a legacy in the hotel industry with an established clientele of loyal patrons from here and abroad through the years.

A goal is a dream with a deadline. To prove this, Jalandoni added: “From 2009 when AHRC decided to focus on aggressively expanding our hotels and resorts in a variety of market segments, we now have 2,000 rooms and envision to have 4,000 more by 2016 or earlier. It was a leap of faith for us to venture into this direction for our hotels and resorts in 2009, but the results are definitely worth the pursuit.”

I was blessed with the opportunity to experience all these unique hotel offerings and declare that to appreciate each hotel and resort’s brand promise, you must try them for yourself.

Walking into the ultra-luxurious Raffles Makati (as one is warmly welcomed by its charming director of communications Monique Toda) is akin to being transported back to the time of regal opulence and elegance reminiscent of the famed Raffles hotel in Singapore named after the illustrious explorer Sir Stamford Raffles. The Long Bar patterned after the original Long Bar in Singapore and The Writers Bar in Raffles Makati surrounded by leather-bound books remain my favorite oases. The hotel is a living museum with 1,800 commissioned artworks by Filipino artists.



Traipsing down nearby Fairmont Makati sweeps one to the iconic enclave of old-world class with modern touches. Embark on an intimate retreat of relaxation and rejuvenation at its luxurious Willow Stream Spa. Fairmont Makati offers an exclusive lifestyle experience called “Fairmont Gold.” Designed for the most discerning business and leisure traveller, guests are known by their name and room preferences are honored.

My recollection of past visits to the Fairmont Vancouver located conveniently near the cruise terminal, Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, which is a stunning UNESCO heritage castle and the Fairmont Hotels in Ghirardelli and Knob Hill in ritzy San Francisco made my heart skip a beat in excitement knowing that this privileged chain has a property in our shores that is known for stellar world-class amenities and service.

From The Fairmont Raffles, I walked a few blocks to the Holiday Inn & Suites and tried the Citron Lobby bar, which features a unique menu based on flavors and your specific blood type. The contemporary themed bar by the relaxing pool at the roof deck is an impressive nook of eclectic colors. The hotel’s lobby and public areas are tastefully styled by the country’s only floral architect Rachy Cuna, whose first job was as a museum volunteer at Ayala Museum before becoming its curator in the ‘80s. Even the floral installations at the lobby of InterContinental Manila are ingeniously done by Rachy.



To cater to the local market, AHRC has introduced Seda hotels at the heart of the country’s most dynamic destinations. AHRC Chief Operating Officer Al Legaspi announced that the company is planning six more hotels under its four-star Seda brand and will diversify its portfolio with the addition of Seda suites, Seda resorts, and larger properties with 400-500 rooms. At the moment, Seda hotels offer between150 to 200 keys. “That’s the model for Seda. We want to be in Ayala Land’s mixed-use developments where we maximize synergies with our malls, office buildings and residential properties.” Legaspi added.

Truly, AHRC values moments that perpetuate through time. My niece Christel Boncan and her fiancé Mike Constantino are exchanging vows on Nov. 15 this year. Their wedding celebration will unfold at Seda Bonifacio Global City. Mike proposed to Christel at Straight Up, Seda’s breathtaking roofdeck bar. Since then, this charming, cozy, Filipino inspired hotel with complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and inspiring interiors by Ann Pamintuan and Kenneth Cobonpue has been their preferred hotel. Seda’s rooms are fitted with ports for gadgets and electronics that ensure guests stay connected.

Jetting down to the south, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel is ready to let its guests experience the AHRC welcome. It is nestled next to Ayala Center Cebu, a sprawling shopping complex that has since been the lifestyle center of the South. Cebu City Marriott Hotel, the first international hotel brand in Cebu City, had recently celebrated its 15th anniversary in February. It has a newly renovated grand ballroom and meeting spaces, making it the newest event space in the city. The hotel also refreshed its menus and banquet service. Through the years, Cebu City Marriott Hotel has continued to offer genuine hospitality and care – always going the extra mile, finding brilliant ways to serve guests.

Travel + Leisure magazine recently proclaimed Palawan as the best island for international travelers, besting even the Maldives. AHRC has four properties in El Nido, Palawan that include Miniloc, Lagen, Apulit and Pangalusian. All these properties are designed to bring out the natural beauty of the location and are a testament to AHRC’s commitment to sustainable practices. In this paradise, one can surely feel God’s omnipresence as the divine designer of all creation. Once you step into these tropical sanctuaries, you will be graciously greeted: “Welcome to the most beautiful place in the world.”

El Nido Resorts president Laurent Lamasuta shared, “Miniloc and Lagen resorts are globally recognized for embracing nature-based guest activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and island hopping. The Apulit Island resort is a retreat back to the essentials as the place commands a sense of serenity and reverence. Pangulasian Island is the most luxurious among the eco-island resorts of El Nido Resorts. All the years of sustainable operations and best practices from the other resorts are put in place here. Having an 800 meter stretch of white sand, it’s an all villa resort that has views of both sunrise and sunset,” Lamasuta adds.

With the expansion of hotels and resorts in the country comes a serious commitment for sustainability. Legaspi shared that even the orientation of the buildings, the kind of materials used and the way they built their properties were taken into consideration right from the project planning stage.

As we continue to pursue the joy of travel, AHRC provides the choice venues where these memories and milestones will unfold. It seeks to send guests home with the intangibles like emotional and blissful memories, not just tangible souvenirs. More significantly, it doesn’t just build edifices — it builds priceless dreams and memories.

Every choice you make creates a statement about who you are. Though AHRC properties are profoundly different from each other, they all possess an aesthetic sense of place. Ayala Land goes beyond amenities by providing Filipino hospitality and service that match the unparalleled beauty of the destination.

AHRC holds true to its promise, “We see beyond hotels and resorts, we see the joy of travel.”

source: philstar.com