Mexican Navy Training Ship Sets Sail on Cruise to 13 Countries

 laht.com

MEXICO CITY – The Mexican navy’s training ship, Cuauhtemoc, set sail from the Pacific port of Acapulco on a cruise that will take it to 14 ports in 13 countries, the Navy Secretariat said.

The ship left on its latest training cruise, “Levante Mediterranean 2015,” on Saturday, the secretariat said.

The vessel will visit ports in the United States, Ireland, Britain, Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Malta, Puerto Rico, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala, the secretariat said in a statement.

The ship’s mission is to carry “a message of peace and goodwill around the world,” the secretariat said.

The Cuauhtemoc is carrying a crew of 204, including 39 officers and 42 cadets from the naval academy.

The ship was constructed by the Astilleros de Celaya S.A. shipyard in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao between July 24, 1981, and July 29, 1982.

The Cuauhtemoc has won numerous commendations from the Mexican navy and the navies of other countries during its more than 30 years of service.

US, Mexico Could Help CentAm With Economic Growth

Dave Graham - Reuters.com
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November 3, 2014

In an effort to stem the flow of immigrants traveling through Mexico to the US, Central American leaders have proposed a plan for those countries to help them to spur jobs and economic growth in the region.

Mexico City, Mexico - Mexico and its main construction companies could help carry out a plan to spur economic growth and jobs in Central America to stem illegal immigration to the United States, a senior Mexican government official said last Friday.

Struggling to stop a record flood of child migrants to the United States earlier this year, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have drawn up a plan to improve energy supply and infrastructure in the impoverished and violent region.

Presented to US and Mexican officials in New York in September, the proposal foresees spending billions of dollars on roads, ports, power networks, and airports in the region between 2015 and 2019 to improve their economies.

How the plan could be funded is due to be discussed between the nations and US Vice President Joe Biden in Washington on November 14th. Guatemala has said it hopes about $10 billion could be raised for the five-year plan, chiefly from the United States.

Mexico is also ready to contribute, provided assurances are given by the Central American nations that the money is properly allocated, Sergio Alcocer, the Mexican deputy foreign minister responsible for North America, stated.

Depending on how talks proceed, Mexico could provide loans, and companies with expertise in construction like Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA) and Carlos Slim's conglomerate Grupo Carso would be well suited to realize the projects, he added.

"I think it's a scheme that could work very well," Alcocer said, noting it was too early to say how much financial support Mexico could provide. "Everyone benefits, but it's also a lot easier for a contractor such as one of these companies to take part than for an American company to do it."

Mexico had discussed the idea with the Central American governments and now needed to bring Washington "into the equation" Alcocer added, noting that Mexico was also ready to work with Guatemala to improve the latter's energy supply.

Original Story

Mexico, Central America Coffee Output to Rise 10%

Business Recorder
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June 26, 2014

The region responsible for more than a fifth of the world's arabica coffee crop is suffering its worst-ever outbreak of roya, but the upcoming 2014/2015 harvesting season should provide significant relief.

Coffee farmers in Mexico and Central America should see output rise by at least 10 percent next season as the mostly arabica growing region begins to recover from a devastating fungal outbreak, the top regional coffee buyer for Starbucks Corp said last week.

The region responsible for more than a fifth of the world's arabica coffee crop is suffering its worst-ever outbreak of roya, or coffee leaf rust, but the upcoming 2014/2015 harvesting season should provide significant relief. "A very conservative (estimate) is 10 percent more production in Mexico and Central America next season," said Alfredo Nuno, green coffee buyer for Mexico and Central America for US-based Starbucks, the world's largest coffee chain.

If coffee output from Mexico and Central America rises by a tenth, production will total 17.6 million 60-kg bags during the 2014/2015 season, according to data from the London-based International Coffee Organisation. Output would rise by 1.6 million bags, compared with estimated output of nearly 16 million bags during the current season.

Nuno said lower output across the region caused by damage from roya has not led to a breach of contracts between the company and its suppliers, nor has it forced the chain to source its beans from other countries. "The areas that have been hardest hit are mostly in lower altitudes where the coffee grown doesn't meet Starbucks's quality standards," he said, adding that his visits to farms in the region provide encouraging signs.

"Compared to last year, the situation is less terrible," he said. "Flowering (of coffee trees) has been good, and it seems like next year will be even better." Nuno pointed to Colombia, the world's largest producer of washed arabica beans, which experienced a similarly devastating roya outbreak beginning around 2008, but only this year is output expected to reach pre-roya levels of about 11 million bags. He said poorer, less-organised Central American coffee-producing nations will likely take longer to recover.

One exception, he said, could be Honduras, Central America's top producer, where output from new coffee plantations "is so big that it could offset the losses." Nuno said that over the next few months Starbucks franchises in Mexico, the chain's largest market in Latin America, will fund the donation of roya-resistant trees and other support to struggling farmers in Chiapas state, Mexico's top coffee producer. While proceeds from select coffee sales at Starbucks's Mexican cafes from June through December will be used to help approximately 2,500 Chiapas farmers, Nuno declined to say how much the company expects to spend on the assistance.

Original Story

Wal-Mart Invests $1.1B in Mexico and Central American Unit

wallstcheatsheet.com

Emily Coyle 

February 25, 2014

Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:WMT) is betting its pesos on the company’s Mexican and Central America divisions. Amid declining sales in the U.S. and profit forecasts that don’t even come close to hitting analysts’ estimates, Wal-Mart said in a statement Monday that it plans on putting 15 billion pesos ($1.1 billion) toward its Mexican and Central American units to help open stores and improve e-commerce technology. Bloomberg reported the news at the beginning of the week, and said Wal-Mart is hoping that the increased investment will trigger growth in the region as the company suffers disappointing sales in its domestic market, the U.S.

According to Wal-Mart’s statement, the company will spend 8.4 billion pesos opening stores in Latin America, and work to add about 3.7 million square feet of space. That will lead Mexican floor space to grow 5 percent, while Central American stores expand 7.6 percent. Wal-Mart’s Mexican business, Walmex, will especially be a focus as it spends 3.5 billion pesos of its expansion budget on remodeling and maintenance. Another 1.2 billion pesos will go to logistics, as 1.9 billion goes to bolstering its e-commerce technology.

The increased investment in Walmex stores is significant as the Mexican business has proven to be a point of controversy for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain. It has now been a few years since Walmex was charged for using bribery to get its way in the country, but Wal-Mart is still navigating the consequences and working to resurrect its good image. With Walmex’s new investment, it is possible that the unit has a goal to start fresh and update its technology and offerings so much that it can quietly push its past issues under the rug.

Like many brick-and-mortar retailers, Wal-Mart is now facing slowing sales, not only in the U.S., but also abroad. Bloomberg reported Monday that David Cheesewright, head of Wal-Mart’s international unit, says that consumers around the world are stressed, with “significant slowdowns” in many markets, even those of the faster-growing developing countries. That is bad news bears for Wal-Mart as it has no room for global slowdown thanks to sales already suffering in its domestic market. The combination of currency fluctuations, lower food-stamp payments, higher taxes, the inability to keep shelves fully stocked, and sluggish economies is enough to make Wal-Mart’s sales look paltry, and that they currently do.

Wal-Mart’s released its annual profit forecast last week, and that figure, too, missed analysts’ expectations. Bloomberg reports that Wal-Mart expects profit per share in the year through January 2015 to be $5.10 to $5.45, while analysts expected a $5.55 figure.

That’s why Wal-Mart is now turning toward its Mexican and Central American units — two divisions that still show some potential for growth. Food, consumables, digital and self-service sales currently drive growth at Walmex, and the company believes results can improve even more. Hopefully Wal-Mart executives are right, as it will be quite an investment, but for now, it’s evident they’re sticking to their guns.

Tips for Travelling in Mexico and Central America

safetravel.co.uk

If you are preparing to travel to Mexico or Central America for the first time, the following are a few things you may want to know.

 

What to Pack:

 

• Passport (US citizens may also enter with a driver's license and birth certificate, but a passport makes things much faster and easier.)
• Traveller's cheques (Carrying large sums of cash is not recommended.)
• A copy of your passport and birth certificate with emergency contact info (Useful if your passport is stolen or in an emergency situation.)
• A driver's license or picture ID (Sometimes hotels require leaving a passport as a room deposit. To be safe, it's better to leave some other form of ID.)
• Waist-pack for hiding your money and passport.
• Sensible shoes (Even if you don't plan on hiking, many of the streets may be cobblestone or simple dirt roads - which can turn to sludge during the rainy season.)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Warm clothes if you are going to a mountainous region or traveling during the rainy season. (At least one sweater is recommended if you intend to travel by first-class bus as the air-conditioning is often set full blast.)
• A pair of earplugs if you plan to travel by first-class bus (They can play their music extremely loudly, and often play horrible movies for the duration of the trip - even well into the night.)

 

What to Wear:

 

You will want to research the areas you plan to go and select your clothing accordingly. Cancun airport, for example, is often sweltering - so if you are traveling from the UK during winter, you may want to leave your coat at home rather than have to schlep it all over the countryside. However, if you plan to travel around in Oaxaca or in Guatemala, you will probably want to have a set of light clothes for the hot afternoons, and warm clothes for the chilly evenings. Always pack long-sleeved shirts and trousers for mosquito protection - the warm beach fronts are often some of the worst places for the bloodsuckers. Keep in mind that summer clothing and sandals are always easy to come by, so when in doubt, leave it out rather than over-pack. In the end, whatever you do pack, make sure it is comfortable. Most restaurants, even four-star ones, are casual about dress, so worrying about bringing any sort of formal wear is unnecessary.

 

If You Intend to Backpack or Travel Low-Budget:

 

• If you are a backpacker and on a budget, economizing is essential, but also being prepared. Pack the minimum amount of clothing necessary; many hostels have laundry areas so that you can hand-wash clothing. Make sure you bring a thin towel, though, as many hostels and cheap hotels do not provide them. Also try to bring sample sizes of your hygiene products (such as shampoo); small sizes are not likely to be available and these items can weigh your pack down considerably. If you are a woman who prefers tampons, it is best to bring them as they are not always available.
• A combination padlock for locking up your things in hostels (thievery in such places is rampant).
• A pad and paper for keeping track of important info (you will need a pen on the plane, in any case).

 

If You Are a Woman Traveling Alone:

 

• Dress modestly. Women in Mexico and Central America rarely wear skirts that come above the knee or shirts that show the midriff. Unless you are on the beach, keeping covered is one good way of avoiding unwanted attention.
• Women in Mexico and Central America also rarely travel alone; therefore be aware that some men may interpret this as an invitation for male company. Everyone from your taxi driver to the guy sitting behind you on the bus is likely to try to flirt with you. Don't take it too seriously, but also beware of being too friendly - unless you really want to get to know that person. If you give personal information too easily or allow others to do personal favors (such as carrying your bags or escorting you to your hotel) you may be inadvertently leading someone on. Use your discretion. It is highly inadvisable to allow a strange man into your room or go with him to a secluded place. Even a high-traffic beach can be dangerous at night.
• If you are worried about attracting unwanted attention from men, wear a wedding ring (even if you are single) and try to travel with groups.

 

When in Rome…

 

• You have probably heard that it is acceptable (and even smart) to haggle in the marketplace. This is true, but there are certain guidelines. The first thing to keep in mind is your appearance. If you look like a wealthy tourist, you are never going to get the bargains that a native would, so don't try too hard. If you are a backpacker, you may be able to do a little better, but in touristy areas, tourists set the standard. Over-zealous haggling will offend the seller and result in a no-deal.
• If you begin haggling over an object, you are expected to have an interest in buying it. Don't haggle if you're just curious about a price - only if you actually desire the goods in question.
• If someone offers you a deal on something you don't need, say, "No thank you" rather than, "I don't like that." It will greatly offend the merchant.
• Often buying more of something will lower the price. A bracelet that costs five pesos but won't sell for three may easily go for ten if you buy three.
• The more courteous you are, the better your chances of getting a deal. Even if you don't speak Spanish, an effort to do so, and some genuine smiles will go a long way toward getting into the seller's good books.

 

Do's and Don'ts for Traveling in Mexico and Central America:

 

• Do: Carry your own roll of toilet paper. Many buses do not provide it, and hostels and restaurants often run out during the day.
• Don't: Flush toilet paper. Plumbing in these countries is poor; there will be a small waste basket for used toilet paper.
• Do: Drink lots of water and eat salty foods to avoid dehydration and sun-stroke.
• Don't: Drink un-bottled water or other beverages, including ice cubes.
• Do: Brush your teeth with bottled water, not tap water.
• Don't: Eat street food, un-sanitized fruit or vegetables, undercooked meat, questionable sea food, or food prepared in a restaurant that lacks running water.
• Do: Join up with other travelers when possible.
• Don't: Leave valuables unattended, and keep watch over all of your belongings (even towels and clothing are frequently stolen in youth hostels). Beware of scams, such as someone telling you that your friend has had an accident, but that he will watch your stuff while you go to help them.
• Do: Dress comfortably and casually. The less attention you attract, the better.
• Don't: Wear your most expensive watch and jewellery. Even if nothing is stolen, it will certainly lead to paying higher prices.
• Do: Learn and practice your Spanish, whether beginner's or more advanced. It will be appreciated.
• Don't: Tell Mexican men you are single unless you are inviting them to be your date, and even then be cautious.
• Do: Pack as lightly as possible. If you can fit everything into a back-pack and one carry-on, you can avoid having to wait forever for your bags at the airport.
• Don't: Choose the very back or very front seats when traveling by bus. The back is where the toilets are, and at the front, the drivers often like to play their music at a deafening volume. You will be allowed to reserve your seat ahead of time when you buy the ticket; choose according to whether or not you will want to watch the string of bad movies they put on.
• Do: Have a wonderful time! Traveling through Mexico and Central America can be an unforgettable experience - and the better prepared you are, the more fun it is likely to be! 

Brand USA Announces Representation Firm for Mexico and Central America

11/26/2013 

By Hispanic PR Blog 

Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism-marketing effort, named Adnova, Comunicacion Estrategica its international representation firm for Mexico and Central America, through 2015.

“Mexico and Central America continue to show steady growth in both visitation and spend for inbound travel to the U.S.,” said Alfredo Gonzalez, Senior Vice President of Global Market Development for Brand USA. “Brand USA is confident that with the market expertise and experience in representing U.S. destinations, Adnova will leverage our resources to expand the footprint of the United States as the premier travel destination in these Latin American markets.”

As the representation firm for Brand USA, Adnova is responsible for strengthening the awareness of the United States through strategic market analysis and planning, sales-trade, marketing, public relations, advertising, branding, social media, creative development, event planning, promotions, social media and co-operative programs.

Adnova, Comunicacion Estrategica, was founded in Mexico City in 2004, as a pioneer for the implementation of strategic marketing programs in Mexico and Central America combining an innovative approach with best practices in trade and public relations.

Today, Adnova is the marketing representative for three of the largest U.S. tourism destinations:

• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
• Disney Parks and Resorts (Anaheim and Orlando)
• Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCOT)

“Our main objective is to promote international destinations in Mexico and Central America by developing tourism promotions, cooperative marketing programs and strategic initiatives targeted to the regional market segments that attract a diverse consumer base,” said Benjamin Diaz, President of Adnova.

For three years, Adnova’s founding partners were responsible for implementing the brand strategy for the Mexico Tourism Board, developing governmental programs associated with advertising, promotion, social media and public relations domestically and internationally.

Adnova has an extensive business network with key strategic partners in all areas of tourism development around the region, including: airline market leaders, major trade associations, key players in MICE and leisure industries, government networks (federal, state and local/municipal levels) as well as wholesale operators, travel agencies and OTAs in Mexico and Central America.

SOURCE Brand USA