Newsletter Mexico Press

February 2009

FEB 2: Candlemas Day (Dia de la Candelaria)--Nationwide. Celebrated with candlelit processions and dancing in many towns throughout the country, this holiday marks the end of the Christmas celebration. On this national holiday, families and friends gather together to enjoy tamales and atole (a hot, sweet drink thickened with corn flour). The musical events, parades and dances are especially memorable in the port city of Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, where a bull is rafted into town and released.

FEB 5: Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución). An official holiday that commemorates Mexico's Constitution.

FEB: Carnivals. All over Mexico. Celebrate the traditional carnivals that take place before Ash Wednesday in various cities all around Mexico. Enjoy the music, dancing, costumes, fireworks, parades and more! Campeche (7- March 14), Veracruz (17-25), Mazatlan and Ensenada (19-24), Merida (18-25). For more information, please visit: www.veracruz-puerto.gob.mx/turismo, www.merida.gob.mx/carnaval.

FEB 2 - MAR 4: The Color of Tradition: Herencia Milenaria. New Jersey City University (NJCU). After the first stop in New York last year, the exhibition moves to New Jersey where more than 50 pieces of ceramic crafts from Tonala, Jalisco will be on display. For more information please visit: http://herenciamilenaria.org.mx

FEB 7,8,9: The New York Times Travel Show. New York City. The Mexico Tourism Board will be present in this travel show where you can find unbelievable deals, special giveaways and unique cultural experiences for the whole family. http://www.nyttravelshow.com/

FEB 7-10: Meet Different MPI. Atlanta. The Mexico Tourism Board, besides being a strategic partner, will be participating with an exhibition highlighting its offers in the meetings & conventions segment.

FEB 14-15: Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show. Los Angeles Convention Center. The Mexico Tourism Board will be present, along with tourism representatives from Cozumel, Oaxaca and Chihuahua.

FEB 14: Chicago Blackhawks|“Mexico…Beyond Your Expectations Getaway Sweepstakes.” Chicago, IL One grand-prize winner will receive a 5-night trip to Barcelo Maya Palace in Riviera Maya, Mexico departing from Chicago O’Hare. Trip includes 5 nights accommodations, round-trip charter air, transfers to/from resort, non-motorized water sports, all food/drinks and the assistance of an in-resort Apple Vacations Representative. To register please go to: http://blackhawks.nhl.com/fanzone/mexicosweepstakes0809.htm

FEB 17-26: Int’l Contemporary Film Festival. Mexico City. A project created with the goal of promoting and showcasing high quality film, to portray film as art and a discipline with the capacity of independent expression. www.ficco.com.mx

FEB 23-28: Mexican Tennis Open. Acapulco. The Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Mexican Tennis Open) will take place in Acapulco. Among the many players who will participate in this year’s Open 500, you’ll find David Nabaldian for the ATP and Venus Williams for the WTA. This event is the most important in the Latin America tour for the ATP.

FFEB 24 & 25: Magic of Mexico seminars. Miami (24) and Atlanta (25).The online expert program will be conducted by “Destination Ventures” the company that administrates and is in charge of this program. The idea of these seminars is to educate and update the members of the industry in the major destinations of Mexico, so they can be ready to sell better the country to their clients. www.magicofmexico.com

FEB 27-MAR 1: Monarch Butterfly Cultural Festival. Morelia, Michoacán. A festival with artistic and cultural events for the local people of the region where care to the Biosphere Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly is promoted.