Xel-Ha Blog

BUILD BRIDGES IN PLAYA, ASK ORGANIZATIONS

Arises a Civic Movement in View of Delays

Private initiative Representatives of Quintana Roo were pronounced in favor to concrete as soon as possible, the building work on road lifted bridge in Playa del Carmen, a necessary work which has been postpone for several years.

Through press releases in printed media, hotel organizations, vacation clubs, travel agencies, businessmen, and tour operators, among others, ask authorities for do not postpone again the bridges construction, and over all now build work is bided and assigned.

Declarations emerged from publication about Architect and Engineers College of Playa del Carmen is opposed to lifted bridges construction, because of an allege damage to urban image, suggesting subway construction.

This posing, according to specialist, is impossible to do; because of phreatic surface is just seven meters under terrestrial surface. Ignacio Meza, delegate of Ministry of Communications and Transports of Quintana Roo said that polemic is generated by opposed groups which can not to stop the construction and made declarations which cancel every possibility to subway option: “ It will be a lethal risk, with all my respect, they do not know what they say”

Construction will solve traffic every day is produced in that section of the highway Chetumal-Puerto Juarez, in Playa del Carmen sector, place where a average of 20 thousand vehicles drive every day as well as other 20 thousand units of people who live in city and take the highway at the same time.

2009 SPRING TRIATHLON TO BE HELD IN XEL-HA

The Natural Park Xel-Ha, Natural Wonder, on the occasion of its XV sustainable operation years to celebrate on November this year, launches the 2009 Sprint Triathlon Xel-Ha announcement which will take place as starting point the impressive principal inlet, jewelry of Cancun-Riviera Maya destiny, with an amazing Caribbean Sea view.

Heat, that is opened to specialized triathletes as well as cyclists, swimmers and athletes in general, provide eleven categories to participants’ registration, whose ages range from 9 to 50 years old or older, in women and men categories. It will be verified Sunday November 8 since 7:00 hrs.

Competition starting point will take place in the Floating Bridge of Xel-Ha; just on the edge where the main inlet of the natural park and the Caribbean Sea waters converged. Over there will be verified 950 meters swim heats for 16 and 50 years old or older and for relay participants; 400 meters to 12 and 15 years old and 200 meters for little competitors between 9 and 11 years old.

Bikes transition will take place in the parking lot of Xel-Ha, where cyclists will depart towards Tulum, over Chetumal-Puerto Juarez highway. Participants older than 16 and relays competitors will cover 20 kilometers; 14 and 15 young people will cover 10 kilometers; 12 and 13 will cover 8 kilometers and 9 and 11 years old competitors will accomplish a 4 kilometers heat.

As well, on foot race will be done from Xel-Ha to Chemuyil with 5 kilometers long for older than 16 athletes and relays competitors, 2 kilometers and a half to 14 and 15 years old, one kilometer and 250 meters to 12 and 13 runners; and one kilometers to 9 and 11 participants. 2009 Xel-Ha Sprint

Triathlon is guaranteed by State Triathlon Organization and National Triathlon Federation and is promoted by Riviera Maya Touristic Promotion Trust; Convention & Visitors Bureau Cancun; Tourism Board, as well as private initiative.

For further information please consult: www.triatlonxelha.com

Foreing Volunteers in Chemuyil

A group of young volunteer native of Madagascar, Korea, Canada, France, Japan and Germany, sponsored by Vive Mexico C.A. and the UNESCO, made support activities to community in Chemuyil and knew the sustainable tourist recreation model, of natural park Xel-Ha, as part of activities of their visit in Quintana Roo.

Volunteers, whose are less than 25 years old, renovated the basketball court in Chemuyil and shared with children and young people from the community where Xel-Ha has worked on during several years in order to hold community development through different programs to enhance health, education, urban image, public services, and the responsible domestic waste management, as well as care of environment.

After works in Chemuyil, volunteers met the Waste Transfer and Recollection Center (W.T.R.C.) where 75 per cent of waste generated is recycled in order to avoid this waste arrives to landfills.

Volunteers are: Miray Kokcu, from Madagascar; Hosoo Choi, from North Korea; Alizée Millot, from Canada; Dongho Lee, de South Korea; Inssiya Dilavarhoussen y Carole Marrot, from France; Izumi Niijima, from Japan; as well as Roxani Jean-Francois, from Germany.

Tulum in Risk for Bad Waste Management: Saitra Perez

Participating in 2009 Second Expo Tulum, Xel-Ha Environmental Education Chief, Saitra Perez, made a calling to civil associations and to private initiative instance of the region in order to assume a more participative attitude on projects that bring about responsible waste confinement because if correct measures are not taken, phreatic surface future looks bleak.

Saitra Perez tackled during her presentation the waste management Xel-Ha made through the Waste Transfer and Recollection Center and reviewed how along these years 72 per cent of waste generated by tourism activity is recycled in order to avoid environmental damage.

This percentage represents more than 400 tons annually which are not thrown to dump or are transported to reuse it or to create compost, as happen with organic material. Materials set apart to recycle are: paper, glass, cardboard, plastics and toxic waste.

During her presentation, Saitra Perez highlighted that even environmental damage consciousness has increased in last years, real environmental caring actions are needed yet, over all in places like Tulum which magic is connected to nature beauty but a huge development is predicted for future.

TV FRANCE ACKNOWLEDGES XEL-HA

“BIODEGRADABLE SUNSCREENS” REPORT BROADCASTED

A scientific research performed in several countries by the French television, shows that Xel-Ha is- up until now- the only place in the world where measures are being taken in order to preserve marine fauna, by means of the use of chemical- free sunscreens.

This information was exposed this month by TV France 2, in the program “Envoyé Special” (Foreign Correspondent), that broadcasted a special report shot in Xel-Ha, Riviera Maya, Mexico. This report explains the steps followed by the park’s administration since 1997, to stop the deterioration of hundreds of animal species and vegetables’ habitats within the inlet, and its union with the world’s most important underground rivers system.

The strategy was, ever since then, to restrict the usage of commercial sunscreens and tanning lotions, and offer as an alternative, special sunscreens fast and easily biodegraded, chemical- free, with mineral based formulas.

The production, lead by Stenka Chalet, shot all the chemical- free information process, starting in the ticket boots, where the tourist arrive to, going through the information modules and the inlet’s access docks.

The program “Envoyé Special” is broadcasted at a primetime schedule (8:40 pm), and it has an estimated rating of 4 million watchers.

XEL-HA TO BE PROMOTED BY UNAM AS A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMPANY

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), will promote Xel-Ha as a socially responsible company, through an interactive CD that will be soon released, where the most relevant aspects of Xel-Ha’s performance as a model in sustainable tourist recreation will be shown.

As said by professor Gustavo López Pardo, coordinator of the “tourism for sustainable development” program of the Economic Research Institute (UNAM) the production of this material obeys the objective of granting students and professionals interested in sustainability, the opportunity to get to know successful cases scattered all along the Mexican Republic.

For 3 consecutive years, Xel-Ha has been taken as an example of tourist exploitation, in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, and acknowledged by the Economic Research Institute, through postgraduate lectures.

According to López Pardo, this enhanced tool will make it possible to exemplify different cases, private and social, large and small, of the construction of sustainable activities, as well as to reveal those companies’ achievements and challenges. This CD also features the experience of the “Gran Palapa”, project, a community indigenous project in Milpa Alta, Mexico City, and the experiences of some communities in construction solidarity tourism.

HUNDREDS OF VISITORS PARTICIPATE IN … HOW DO YOU LIVE XEL-HA?

The call launched by the natural park Xel-Ha and American Airlines, for the photo and video contest “how do you live Xel-Ha?”, has turned out to be an excellent way for visitors, to share their experiences when visiting the park.

Participants state to be very enthusiastic, because in addition to having the opportunity to win a round trip to USA or Canada for two people, they claim to have discovered amazing and unforgettable places in their search for the perfect image that will make them win the contest.

All Works must be uploaded at www.xelha.com/vive, and it will still be possible to contend until August 31st, 2009. All participants must be over 18, and own a passport and visa. Contenders may participate with as many videos and pictures as they wish, describing their particular way to enjoy the natural park Xel-Ha.

The first prize is 2 round tickets to any city in the USA or Canada, flying by American Airlines; the second place will win 2 All Inclusive Tickets to Xel-Ha, as well as 1 Swim with dolphins courtesy. Third place will get 2 All Inclusive Tickets to Xel-Ha, and one optional activity (snuba, sea trek, aquaventura) to be chosen by the participant.

There is no doubt this contest is an extraordinary chance for visitors, to enjoy Xel-Ha’s astounding natural beauty, and at the same time, have the possibility to win fantastic awards.

LIZ VEGA CELEBRATES IN THE NATURAL WONDER

Liz Vega, the Cuban artist based in Mexico City sin some years ago, visited Xel-Ha and enjoyed the quite singular experience of interacting with manatees in a natural inlet.

The singer and dancer, well known by her strong character, was accompanied by her boyfriend Darwin, who she has been dating for a month. They both visited different spots in the Natural Wonder, and enjoyed the attractions.

Liz Vega showed herself glad to spend time with her fans at all times, and she happily posed for the “memory picture”. She was also very kind to all Xel-Ha collaborators, who undoubtedly will never forget their moments together with the beautiful actress.

XPLOR-BEYOND THE SURFACE, OPENS UP ITS DOORS

BREATH-TAKING EXPERIENCE FOR ADVENTURERS

The tourist enjoying Cancun and Riviera Maya during this summer will have the chance to get to know a unique underground world in Xplor, the new Xel-Ha’s brother park, which opened up its doors on July 6th.

Xplor’s adventure implies experiencing over 6 miles of adventure with 11 zip-lines, 2 water landings, 2 suspension bridges, one slide; exciting journeys through the jungle on unstoppable amphibious vehicles; an underground paradise for swimming, surrounded by amazing stalactites and stalagmites, a matchless raft route across stunning subterranean caverns while paddling bare-handed; and unlimited natural fruit beverages and nutritious and energetic meals to recharge energies.

Xplor is on Federal highway 307, km282, only 35 miles south of Cancun International Airport, 4 miles south of Playa del Carmen, next to Xcaret.

The park counted on a 22 million dollars investment; it generates 200 hundred direct jobs and 800 indirect. It has a capacity of 1,200 people daily and it is open to all tourists Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 to 17:00.

XEL-HA REGISTERS 8,000,000th VISITOR

The Natural Park Xel-Ha registered its 8,000,000th visitor. Armando Robledo Lara, from Mexico City , who during his summer vacations in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, had the lucky strike of getting to the park’s box offices to purchase his tickets to the Natural Wonder, and receiving the huge surprise of being granted permanent free access.

Due to this event, Elizabeth Lugo Monjarrás, Executive Director of Xel-Ha, bestowed our distinguished guest with an 8,000,000th visitor certificate, so he and his family can visit the Natural Wonder, anytime they want to, for life.

Throughout 15 years of being administered under sustainable principles, Xel-Ha has showed its visitors appreciation for their preference by acknowledging the tourist whose visit matches the next millionth visitor. What they experience when visiting the park, has allowed this place to become a model in sustainable tourist recreation.

Ever since Xel-Ha was given in concession, the flow of visitors to the Natural Wonder has increased from almost 287 thousand visitors in 1995, to 702 thousand in 2008. Additionally to the proven success in attention to visitors, it is outstanding the care provided to this natural resource: 14 hectares of water, and 60 hectares of jungle, whose sustainable management sets an example for Quintana Roo and Mexico. Xel-Ha is one of the three most popular tours in the Cancun-Riviera Maya destination.

DELPHINUS, OFF TO SINGAPORE

Delphinus, the leading dolphinariums chain in Latin America, expands its sustainable business model to the Asian southeast: Singapore, where they will design, build and operate a theme park with a dolphinarium in one of the most important developments in the world, Sentosa Island.

Sentosa is a new vacation and entertainment center that will compete with places like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. On this island Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) owns and operates this touristic destination to be launched in 2010, with 6 hotels, one casino, a Universal Studios park, and a marine complex where a theme park will be built, including the dolphinarium designed and ran by Delphinus of Via Delphi Group.

RWS Developer knew Delphinus’ facilities and staff, especially because of their work in Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and had also inspired other parks in Orlando, Florida. Partners and executives of Via Delphi, lead by Francisico Córdova, General Director, honestly and transparently stated that the theme park and dolphinarium located in Orlando (Discovery Cove de Sea World), had been inspired on the parks in Quintana Roo.

Francisco Córdova highlighted that the most important aspect of this deal, is that the knowledge accumulated for over 18 years by Via Delphi, makes the company able to share it and offer their experience worldwide, especially to a project of such magnitude.

CELEBRITIES RAISE VOICES FOR A GREEN PLANET

•Third anniversary of the Chacah’s Garden

In occasion of the Tree Day, and in what is already a tradition in Xel-Ha, a group of celebrities raised their voices for the care of the planet with a simple principle in mind: “Plant a tree in every important moment of your life”. The journalist Lolita Ayala, the actors Alfredo Adame, Alexis Ayala and Betty Monroe, as well as the professional wrestler “The saint’s son”, among others, were present.

The event took place in the Chacah’s Garden, where dozens of show business personalities as well as communicators, actors, musicians and sportsmen have planted little Chacah seedlings and left them in Xel-Ha’s Family custody for their safekeeping.

Each one their own way, wrote a message to humanity together with an invitation to make of planting trees a constant activity in everyone’s life, for this contributes to restore damaged ecosystems.

DR. DALILA ALDANA’S SCIENTIFIC LABOR ACKNOWLEDGED

Dr. Dalila Aldana, scientist of the Research and Advanced Studies Center from the IPN (CONVESTAV), was awarded with the Ecological Merit Prize 2009, for her outstanding labor in the last few years, in favor of the protection and conservation of the queen conch, considered an endangered species.

The queen conch program, lead by Dr. Aldana, has been developed by CINVESTAV, and supported by Xel-Ha with the firm belief that the best way to protect the species is by means of environmental education and awareness rising.

Therefore, Xel-Ha is a training center for teacher of Mesoamerican Reef Program, which sensitizes and updates the educators regarding this problem, so they contribute from their classrooms, to a higher consciousness amongst the population.

Also, the park protects queen conch population inhabiting the inlet, where they have a good growing rate and survival.

DANA GARCÍA “LA MONITA” SWIMS WITH MANATEES

The popular TV star Dana García, who gives life to “La Monita” in the soap opera “Un Gancho al Corazón”, broadcasted by Televisa, swam with manatees in Xel-Ha, and received a huge kiss from “pompon” a male exemplar weighing over 500 kg .

Dana García chitchatted with the men in charge of the 3 manatees in Xel-Ha, and got to know the way they interact with the animals. She deeply enjoyed the moments spent with these amazing mammals.

This summer, all visitors will be able to experience this unique privilege, by booking upon arrival to the park, since there is limited capacity.

XEL-HA CAN BE WATCHED “LIVE”

The astounding beauty of Xel-Ha’s Inlet can now be watched everyday through the Internet, thanks to the live camera that recently started operation, and represents the best option to find out the conditions of the Natural Wonder, on the scheduled visit day.

Xel-Ha’s camera changes angle constantly in order to show different points in the park like the inlet, the floating bridge, or the trepachanga, in addition to appreciate the wind blowing amongst the trees and palms, be astonished by birds flying, and our visitors enjoying remarkable moments.

The web surfers might even watch the Natural Wonder at night, since the camera functions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

XEL- HA BRIDGE READY

Xel-Ha’s General Director Miguel Quintana Pali, inaugurated the new access bridge of this recreational center, located on Federal Highway Chetumal Puerto Juarez km 240.

The construction, implemented with a mayor investment from the Ministry of Communications and Transports (SCT), and the donation of the bridge’s structure from Xel-Ha, and it solves the accessibility difficulties for both drivers and pedestrians, which had been severely hindered by the highway’s extension works, and the constant heavy flow of vehicles.

The construction involved not only the building of the structure, paving works and pluvial sewage systems on both ways of the highway, but also the relocation of the underground wiring system for telephony and Internet services, as well as the potable water networks repositioning. Also, it was necessary to change the aerial electrical wiring for underground installations on both sides of the road.

GOOD NEWS TO XCARET AND XEL-HA’S COLLABORATORS

Xcaret and Xel-Ha’s President and General Director, announced the actions taken by the company that will lead to a full recovery of its purchasing power to over 2,300 collaborators, starting in June.

The following factors were taken into account in order to substantiate this decision: The slight hike shown on the hotel occupancy rates in Cancun and the Riviera Maya; the gradual recovery reflected by the parks, even though the amount of visitors is still 40% below the last year level; Federal Government is handing economic supports trough National Employment Service with the Service Sector Employees Support Program, and both INFONAVIT and FONACOT agreed to offer discounts on the monthly payments thanks to arrangements made by the company with these organizations.

During the month of May, Xcaret and Xel-Ha stated a supportive agreement with all their collaborators in order to maintain their labor plant during the coming national tourist crisis because of the health eventuality. Thanks to this effort, both parks managed to maintain their labor plant and to remain open and running normally, providing the same quality service which has deserved them world fame.

In addition, Parks maintained their commitment to support the destination; organizing the Mayan Bee Honey Harvesting Ceremony, the Third Sacred Mayan Journey, celebrating the World Environment Day and the boxing show Mayan Challenge. All of these international events, with large media coverage and an assistance of over 20,000 people helped to keep in future tourists’ mind the name of Quintana Roo.

During the meeting, Architect Quintana thanked all collaborators for their commitment and announced with optimism that the worst had finished.

Xcaret, Xel-Ha and shortly Xplor will welcome visitors with surprises, new attractions and renewed energy next summer.

HOW DO YOU LIVE XEL-HA? PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO CONTEST

Xel-Ha Natural Park and American Airlines announced the Photo and video contest How do you live Xel-Ha? whose first prize are 2 round tickets to any city in the USA or Canada.

All participants must be over 18, and own a passport and visa, in case they want to travel to the USA. The main objective is that the participants describe with pictures or a video their particular way to enjoy the natural park Xel-Ha.

To compete, pictures and video must be uploaded to www.xelha.com .Contenders may participate with as many videos and pictures as they wish, and all the materials should include Full name of the participant, picture or video title, and email. The works must be sent before august 31st, 2009.

The second place will win 2 All Inclusive Tickets to Xel-Ha, as well as 1 Swim with dolphins courtesy. Third place will get 2 All Inclusive Tickets to Xel-Ha, and one optional activity (snuba, sea trek, aquaventura) to be chosen by the participant. Winners’ names will be published at www.xelha.com and they will be notified via email.

ANA BARBARA PLANTS A LITTLE CHACAH TREE

Famous Mexican singer Ana Barbara, visited the Chacha’s Garden in Xel-Ha, where she planted a little tree to be taken care of by the Blue Family, so it grows, and endures the passage of the years.

Truly moved, Ana Barbara wrote a message that will remain in the park to be shared with visitors, engraved in stone: “My God is within our children showing them love, taking care of Nature. Let’s plant a tree”.

The popular singer and her husband José María Fernandez, better known as “Pirru” enjoyed Xel-Ha in company of their children in “The children playground” where the little kids had a great time, and enjoyed the fresh water during a day of intense heat.

Xel-Ha will be watched by millions of young people through Disney Channel’s Zapping Zone

CANCIN, RIVIERA MAYA; JUNE 2009.- “Zapping Zone”, the popular TV show broadcasted by Disney Channel, visited the natural park Xel-ha, to shoot a series of capsules to be transmitted all over Latin America, hosted by the famous Vanesa Andreu, who had a very cool time in Quintana Roo’s Natural Wonder.

During her visit to Xel-Ha, Vane, as affectionately called in the show, recorded interventions from the stunning floating bridge where the Caribbean Sea waters and the Inlet converge, snorkelled in the crystal-clear waters coming from the underground rivers, and travelled through the “land of Huh” on a bicycle, to finally get to the “Chacah garden” where she planted her own little tree. There, she wrote: “Life is full of dreams you gradually turn into goals; this day was to me, a huge dream turned into an achieved goal, because I planted life in this fantastic Chacah Garden”.

Also, Vanesa, shared some very special moments with the manatees in “Kay-Op’s Inlet”. Pompom, the oldest one, weighing 500kg, Baaxal, 300kg, and Bu’ul, 100kg.

Vanesa was so astonished by Xel-Ha’s beauty that she promised to come back, and bring her family this time. She has been hosting the famous Disney Channel show for five years, and claims to be truly happy for this opportunity life has given her. “ It has been such a nice experience, at first our audience were solely kids between 8 and 15 years old, and now, we are watched by young guys up to 25”, says Vanesa merrily when talking about her increasing popularity among Latin American kids and teenagers.

Within her work team, she has been labeled as the curious one because she is always asking questions about everything, and this time was no exception: She wanted to know about every single one of the activities performed in Xel-Ha, and for that, she kept chitchatting with every member of the Blue Family she ran into, who were captivated by her charm and beauty.

MOVING MAYAN BEE CEREMONY

Xel-Ha’s Meliponary was the setting of a moving ceremony celebrated to thank for the honey harvesting, which was presided by the mayan priest Pedro May Canul. The famous Mexican singer Ana Barbara attended to this ceremony as a special guest.

The “Xunaan Cab” or meliponini bee honey harvesting ceremony is celebrated at Xel-Ha twice a year, in June and December, on full moon nights. A mayan priest comes to the meliponary, and leads a rite through which gratitude is offered to mayan deities for their blessings and for the bees’ fertility. The particularity of meliponini or mayan bees is that they lack stings, and the honey they produce has highly nutritional and medicinal values.

SUCCESFUL MOTHERS TELL THEIR EXPERIENCES

María Paula Cal Pech, Elaine Pinhiero Ramos and Haide Serrano Soto are the first, second and third place winners of the creative writing contest “The experience of being a mother”, announced by Xel-Ha Natural Wonder in collaboration with the newspaper “Diario de Quintana Roo”. Furthermore, an honorific mention was granted to Mrs. Nancy Gutiérrez.

The event, counted on a crowded participation of mothers, variedly aged, who by means of the written word described the one of a kind experience of procreating, taking care, and watching a child grow, as a part of the very same circle of life that provides the human race with so many satisfactions.

Among the participants, there were single and widow mothers, mothers with intense work schedules, and they all spoke their views on how their lives have been enriched by this event.

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XEL-HA - GREEN GLOBE CERTIFIED SILVER

Xel-Ha, Natural Park, has achieved the prestigious Green Globe Certified Silver status under the global Certification program. The global program recognizes Parque Xel-Ha’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard.

Prior to achieving Certification, Xel-Ha successfully Benchmarked against key environmental indicators including energy and water consumption, total waste production and community commitment.

Xel-Ha chose to demonstrate their commitment to the environment by undertaking Certification – the highest level of the Green Globe program. The Certification process involves either an onsite audit or offsite assessment by an independent third party Green Globe Accredited Assessor. The successful completion of the Certification process demonstrates Parque XEL-HÁ’s strong commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability. Achievement specially outstanding for Xel-Ha, for being the first natural park in the world to attain such certification.

In addition to having a Sustainability Policy in place, all fourteen assessed Earthcheck indicators are above the Baseline level. From the benchmarking data provided, eight indicators, Water Saving, Waste Recycling, Vehicle Management, Paper Products, Cleaning Products, Pesticide Products, Waterways Quality, and Habitat Conservation (Biodiversity), are at or above the Best Practice level, which is an achievement to be very highly commended.

About Green Globe

Green Globe is the worldwide Benchmarking, Certification and performance improvement system assisting the travel and tourism industry to attain sustainability. Green Globe provides a certification system that responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet, including climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management.

Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global (which promotes, markets, develops and manages the Green Globe program) says: “I am delighted that Xel-Ha has achieved Certified Silver status. It is a prime example of an organization committed to environmentally sustainable tourism. They have demonstrated through a variety of initiatives, that their business and its employees can make a difference by reducing their environmental impact. The commitment they have shown by participating in the Green Globe program and the achievements they have made within the program set an example for other businesses to follow.”

About Xel-Ha

For many years, Xel-Ha has been managed with a vision that rests upon a fundamental principle: to use this resource, improving its status to that of an authentic tourist product offering world class services, to generate wealth and employment, contributing to the establishment of this tourist destination, and guarantee its medium and long terms viability for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

WINNERS RECEIVE AWARDS

In a very moving ceremony, the winners of deportitrivia, contest organized by Xel-Ha and Tigres de Quintana Roo, as an acknowledgement to all boys and girls from Quintana Roo that enjoy baseball. At the ceremony, Chacho, tha famous Tigres’ mascot, and Huh, the iguana and Mo, the macaw,; guardians of Xel-Ha were present.

The winners of deportitrivia are: Pedro Guillermo Chagoya Balam, 1st place; Juan José Sánchez Canché, 2nd place; and Karen Ivonne Contreras Capeline, 3rd place.

The drawing category winners are: 1st place, Gloria Natasha Canché García; 2nd place, Raúl Lizarraga Arcique; 3rd place, Orlando Poot Anca.

All the winners will enjoy all inclusive entrances to Xel-ha, with special activities, as well as access to baseball games at the Beto Ávila Stadium.

SUSANA ALEXANDER IN THE CHACAH GARDEN

The outstanding Mexican actress Susana Alexander visited the Chacah garden, and planted a little tree she left to the Blue Family to keep it safe. “ My little Chacah, some day you will be home of birds”, she wrote as a memory of this special day.

This way, Susana Alexander was added to the list of celebrities from the show business, sports, music, journalism and arts worlds, that have seeded a Chacah tree and raised a thought of care for the environment.

This, July 11th Xel-Ha will celebrate the World Tree Day, by the planting of several other trees by other personalities, and commemorate the 3rd anniversary of this beautiful place.

More information:

http://www.xelha.com/chacah-garden.php

XEL-HA REAFFIRMS ITS LEADERSHIP IN CANCUN AND THE RIVIERA MAYA

CANCUN-RIVIERA MAYA, QUINTANA ROO; MAY 2009.- Xel-Ha, one of the most important tourist attractions in the Cancun-Riviera Maya destination, welcomes a flow of over 700 thousand visitors annually, and such success is based on its essence being intact through the years: being the world’s biggest natural aquarium.

With its 85 hectares of jungle and water, Xel-Ha is a Natural Wonder with a huge variety of options for fun and family entertainment, and the guarantee of living matchless experiences.

In Xel-Ha, several activities may be combined, suitable both for children and for adults: snorkelling through the river in crystal-clear waters all the way to the main inlet, admiring colorful fish; to move around on peaceful waters on an inner tube; enjoying the beautiful scenery; swooping into fresh wells; walking on a floating bridge; entering a mayan cave; crossing the lagoon on board of a kayak; riding a bicycle to discover the Chacah Garden, where famous people have planted a tree, and raised a though for the care of the planet.

Xel-Ha’s “All Inclusive” concept also allows enjoying a varied and tasty buffet with world-class quality foods: fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, prepared in diverse ways that satisfy even the most demanding consumer. Unlimited meals and beverages, desserts, open bar on all national drinks. The “All Inclusive” experience also consists of the use of showers, toilets, inner tubes, life jackets, lounge chairs, hammocks, train to the river, kayaks, special bag to transport belongings, full snorkel gear and fins, towels, locker, tips and taxes.

As if that was not enough, there are also additional activities: snuba, a very peculiar way of plunging into the water to admire the marine beauty, with the aid of oxygen lines, which allows focusing on the underwater life’s magic. There is also Sea Trek, a gripping walkabout on the bottom of the sea where stingrays and amberjacks can be observed, right where the river meets the ocean.

Swimming with dolphins is as well a wonderful experience with one of the smartest creatures of the animal kingdom. Available choices go from the open air interaction in natural lagoons, to submarine walks with these cute mammals.

Xel-Ha’s experience would not be complete without the neat service of over 500 collaborators who daily do their best to make a never forgetting memory out of this visit.

XEL-HA IS VISITED “IN THE NAME OF LOVE”

Xel-Ha’s beautiful natural scenarios were appreciated in and out of Mexico in the soap opera “In the name of love” broadcasted through “The Star’s Channel”. Laura Flores and Victor Camara, who personify “Camila Rios” and “Orlando Ferrer”, represented events from their characters sentimental relationship in the Natural Wonder, where several scenes of the plot were recently shoot.

JOBS ARE SECURED BY MEANS OF AGREEMENT

Before this critical situation triggered in the destination by the Human Influenza sanitary emergency, the Administration Council of the parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha, established the commitment that all job sources would be permanent for the 2,300 collaborators, with the firm conviction that the human capital is the most valuable asset of these 2 tourist attractions. On the matter, it was agreed that a contingency plan would be set, in order to maintain the job forces in these moments of crisis for the tourism industry, which gave certainty to an equal number of families that live in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Ciudad Chemuyil, and Tulum.