New Hope for Tourism?

The travel and tourism industry is more reliant upon economic health of nations and consumer confidence than most other industries, which is why talk within the industry is no about recessionary counter measures, financial institution bonuses, and economic action plans than it is about the introduction of a new 5 star resort in Los Cabos. In years gone by Groundhog Day was a big deal as tour operators hoped for a few more weeks of winter to coax more vacationers to the sun in Mexico and the Caribbean.

So in the last few weeks some long awaited optimism has started to return, not because bookings are increasing, occupancy in hotels is up, or travel companies are hiring but because key economic indicators in the US are showing that the world's largest economy is growing. What was more of a surprise was how quickly:

It was reported today that the US economy grew at an annualised rate of 5.9% in the last 3 months of 2009. These were revised figures showing a higher rate of growth on the original figures. What this shows is that the US is coming out of the recession rapidly and what is healthy is that this increase was due to an increase in manufacturing output and not consumer spending, in fact consumer spending shrank in terms of the numbers but still show an increase overall.

Manufacturing has increased to meet demand as retailers and businesses replenished stock levels. Business spending on equipment and software saw a jump by over 18% and exports of US goods at 22.4% which is the fastest pace in 13 years.

While all this is very good news it is evident that the experience of this recession has effected people significantly and it could take many months even years before consumer confidence and spending return to the levels they were at during the late 1990s and early years of this century. That might be a good thing but overall everyone in the travel industry is praying that the good economic news is sustained and breathes new life into our flagging industry.

True Luxury for Less Money

Los Cabos has 3 world class and renowned resorts that provide unsurpassed luxury accommodations and services: Las Ventanas, Esperanza and the One & Only Palmilla. The last two have residential communities close to them that provide similar levels of accommodations to visitors wanting the privacy and intimacy of a villa rather than a hotel.

In Palmilla case the name actually includes not only the hotel but also several residential communities. Sun Cabo has been privileged to be the only agency allowed to promote Villas del Mar since the formation of the community's rental program. These homes became an easy sell for anyone looking for excellent service, accommodations, and resort amenities that were provided by the opening of Club 96, the residents' beach club. The only barrier for some was the price as a typical 3 bedroom started at $2800.00 per night plus 14% tax.

Now another option is available at less than half the price in Punta Ballena (Whale Point) which is adjacent to the Auberge Resort of Esperanza. These new homes are 4 to 6 bedroom with access to their own beach club (view from which is shown in the picture). The beach club has a restaurant and bar, spa and fitness equipment and the best views of Lands End, the very tip of the Baja in Cabo San Lucas. The view is even better in January, February and March as the hump back whales begin their migration to Alaska and Northern British Columbia.

Please check out the Sun Cabo Vacations website for these new additions to the largest selection of true luxury villas:

www.suncabo.com

San Jose del Cabo

Living in the shadow of her sister town, Cabo San Lucas, as a destination for tourism San Jose del Cabo is slowing evolving into a destination in its own right. Always popular with frequent travelers to Los Cabos the town offers a different feel to the energetic Cabo San Lucas.

San Jose del Cabo has more personality in part due to it being the older of the two towns and a more concentrated downtown area. If San Lucas is frenetic San Jose is laid back and this tends to be attractive to gringos making Los Cabos their permanent home. The ambiance of the town lends itself to the art community which has grown steadily and is now an established attraction. Within the space of 4 small city blocks there are now 14 galleries.

While each gallery focuses on different art and artists they are a great source for art lovers to find works that show off the Baja. One gallery in particular has a mission to show the Baja through the eyes of the artist, the Old Town Gallery on Obregon is owned by Jolene Browning. The gallery features several artists one of whom is Canadian Chris McClure who has traveled from one corner of the continent in the Canadian Maritimes to the Baja where he has visited and lived for the last 19 years.

McClure has had his art bought by several famous people including actors John Travolta and Kirstie Ally and world leaders like Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin. To see his work please pay a visit to the Old Town Gallery. To learn more about the art district and walking tour please contact us at Sun Cabo Vacations.

Tours happen twice a week Tuesday mornings (9:00 - 11:00AM) and Thursday afternoon (5:00 - 9:00PM)

Cabo Fitness

One missing ingredient for many people while renting a private villa is where do they work out. In some cases the villas have some equipment in others we have had guests use facilities at some resorts that would allow non-guests access. Now at last there is a dedicated gym with equipment and instructors to satisfy the most ardent of gym addicts. Located across the road from the Costco store on the road into Cabo San Lucas is the Cabo Fitness Club.

Blanca Buckley who is the owner expects to open doors February 1st and for locals and regular visitors there is an introductory offer for membership at $69.00. If you want to just try out the equipment and facilities Blanca is offering 1 day free passes. More information can be found on the club's own website:

www.cabofitnessclub.com

Please tell them that you heard about the club form their friends at Sun Cabo Vacations and enjoy your work-out, yoga, pilates, spinning, or aerobics in a great environment.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH

Out with the old ..... in with the new. 2010 is around the corner and the countdown has begun! There is a lot of entertainment in town to choose from during this busy holiday season. Most nightclubs and restaurants are offering New Year’s Eve dinners with live entertainment and guest appearances. Tickets are still available for a Fantasy Dinner at Nikki Beach at a cost of which includes a dinner buffet, one bottle of champagne per couple, a fireworks show, music by a guest star DJ from Las Vegas and afterwards, free access to Passion Club’s New Year’s Eve after party. If that is not to your liking, try another popular venue – Solomon’s Landing. Enjoy a gourmet dinner, party favours, New Year’s toast and all night dancing to a five piece classic Rock & Roll band “The Original Dos Huevos”. Passion Club & Bar is another fun place to ring in the New Year from 9.00pm to 5.00am. Pink Kitty Nightclub featuring a modern Baroque boudoir is known for dancing and it’s all girl bar staff . And you haven’t done Cabo until you do El Squid Roe. This club is three stories of pulsating energy and more – not for the prudish or faint of heart where the waiters are equipped with spray tanks of tequila. Cabo is definitely the place to be!
Contact your Sun Cabo agent or concierge
1-800-710-2226

Hurricane Rick bears down on Cabo!

Hurricane Rick which was recently a full fledged category 5 hurricane, has now been downgraded to a category 2 storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 105mph down from it's peak of 180mph. It's still a very dangerous storm and has already claimed one victim who strayed to close to the dangerous surf and was pulled out to sea.

Hurricane Rick is expected to continue to weaken and is expected to strike Cabo at around 5am on Wednesday, October 21.




Watch all the action from our Live Cabo Webcam! The waves are getting pretty big now and it's only going to get worse.

We'll keep this page updated as more information becomes available.

FELIZ HALLOWEEN

The 11th annual PIMP ‘N HO COSTUME BALL is coming soon to Cabo. The party starts on Saturday October 24 at 9.00 pm and goes on until the wee hours on Sunday. For the first time, the infamous Squid Roe will be closed to the public for the most outrageous and most anticipated private annual event. This is the sexiest and hottest costume party in Cabo with the costumes getting more outrageous as each year goes by.
Only 1,500 tickets will be sold this year with the VIP booths almost sold out so expect standing room only. Not to worry – you will get to see world renowned DJs, special performances and celebrity host appearances from Tommy Lee of Motley Crew and Pamela Anderson. Expect to be surprised by some other celebrities as well such as last year when P. Diddy dropped by.
No costume, no entry so book your trip to Cabo and hopefully you will walk away with the $2,000 USD prize!