The Party’s Over

by Maureen Dietrich
13 Apr 15
www.mazmessenger.com

The legendary motorcycle parade was led this year by Sinaloa Governor Mario López Valdez.

As thousands of motorcyclists hit the road yesterday to return home after another successful Motorcycle Week in Mazatlán, and students and vacationers prepared to return to classes and work today after the Semana Santa and Semana Pascua holidays, Sinaloa´s Secretary of Tourism (Sectur) said during the national two week holiday Mazatlán was one of the six most visited vacation spots in Mexico.

Hotels reported 90 percent occupation rate the first two days of Semana Pascua and 100 percent during motorcycle week when 43,000 bikers, families and friends arrived in the port to take part in the annual event.

Sectur’s preliminary analysis of the financial windfall from motorcycle week indicates visitors spent over 650,000 million pesos during the five day event, a 15 percent increase over last year.
Thousands of people gathered on the Malecón on Saturday afternoon to watch the legendary motorcycle parade led this year by Sinaloa Governor Mario López Valdez.

However, the parade was not with incident this year.

Transito police reported five motorcycle accidents resulting in eight injuries on Saturday between 4:30pm and 8:00pm when drivers collided with each other or hit pedestrians.

Spectators complained to media about the lack of police presence along the parade route to protect pedestrians and prevent spectators from leaving the sidewalks to walk among the motorcycles as they paraded by.

(from Noroeste)

Profeco Sanctions Three Businesses during Holidays

by Maureen Dietrich
7 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

The Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco or consumer protection) reported a total of three violations against consumer protection laws in Mazatlán during the Semana Santa holidays.
Profeco agents visited 315 locations in Sinaloa resulting in 16 violations.

In Mazatlán, of the 39 businesses, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels and transport companies visited 36 were found to comply with regulations.

The three businesses found not in compliance and sanctioned were Cerritos Resort Hotel, Bungalows Mar-Sol and Autotransportes Norte de Sinaloa.

Profeco agents also reported that due to complaints lodged at their booth on the Malecón, a woman selling false tour tickets was detained by authorities.

(from Noroeste)

Par Vial, Inflated Taxi Fares Main Complaints of Holidayers

by Maureen Dietrich
6 Apr 15
mazmessenge.com

Media reported today that the two main complaints by vacationers in Mazatlán during the Semana Santa weekend were the inflated fares charged by taxi drivers and the Par Vial change in traffic circulation on Av. Camarón Sábalo in the Golden Zone.

Traffic bottlenecks of at least a half hour occurred on Av. Rafael Buelna and the La Marina circle particularly on Friday and Saturday of the holiday as cars backed up entering and exiting the four lane north-only Av.Camarón Sábalo. Media reported many drivers saying they preferred not to go into the Zona Dorada for that reason.

Tourists also complained of taxis charging between 120 and 250 pesos for an 80 peso trip due to the Par Vial.

(from Noroeste)

A Record 118,000 Hit Mazatlán Beaches on Good Friday

by Maureen Dietrich
6 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

For Mazatlán’s lifeguard squad, the most complicated and hazardous day on the municipality’s beaches during Semana Santa was Friday, April 3 when an estimated 118,000 people packed up their umbrellas, chairs and coolers and spent the day by the ocean.

The squad reported 49 rescues between March 28 and April 5 none of which resulted in serious injury. Lifeguards also attended to swimmers stung by jellyfish and sting rays.

A bulletin from the Municipal Secretary of Public Security advised police had detained 391 people mainly for public drunkenness and misdemeanors, 152 of which were arrested in beach locations and 239 in urban areas.

The department of roads reported that between April 1 and April 5, 17 automobile accidents were attended to, mainly within the city limits.

(from Noroeste)

Sectur Issues Preliminary Numbers for Semana Santa

by Maureen Dietrich
6 Apr 15
mazmessenger.com

Tourists spent 700 million pesos during their vacation on hotels, tours, shopping, public transport and restaurants.

The Sinaloa Secretary of Tourism issued its preliminary balance sheet on the economic outcome of Semana Santa holidays in the State.

At the 250 recreation areas, beaches, ceremonial centers and Pueblos Mágicos visited by tourists between March 29 and April 5, tourists spent 700 million pesos during their vacation on hotels, tours, shopping, public transport and restaurants.

Of the influx of national and international tourists visiting Sinaloa, the majority spent the holiday in Mazatlán enjoying the beaches in the Zona Dorada, along the Malecón, Stone Island, Los Pinitos, Cerritos and Playa Brujas.

The most visited beaches in north Sinaloa were Topolobambo and El Maviri, in central Sinaloa Las Glorias, Bellavista, El Perihuete, El Tambor, Altata, Nuevo Altata and Ponce.

Beaches in Escuinapa hosted approximately 18,000 holidayers and at El Caimanero beach in El Rosario, over 10,000 people congregated to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

Sectur reported approximately 15,000 visitors were in the Pueblo Mágico of El Fuerte for musical performances and artistic events, while the Pueblo Mágico of Cosalá reported 100 percent hotel occupancy rate.

 (from Noroeste)

Cruise Ships Bring 11,000 More Tourists to Maz this Week

 by Maureen Dietrich
31 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

Two cruise ships will be in port tomorrow, April 1.

In addition to the thousands of national and international tourists arriving in Mazatlán to celebrate Easter and Semana Santa, cruise ships will bring 11,000 passengers and crew to the port today and tomorrow.

Today the cruise ship Carnival Miracle docked at 7:45am with 2,555 passengers and 914 crew members.

April 1, the beginning of the busiest days of the Semana Santa holiday, two cruise ships are expected in port.

At 6am the Crown Princess with 4,374 passengers and crew will arrive, followed an hour later by the Norwegian Star with 3,720 passengers and crew.

To date this year, Mazatlán has seen the arrival of 16 cruise ships with more than 41,000 passengers and 16,000 crew members.

For Semana Pascua (Easter Week) of April 6 to 11, the Norwegian Star is scheduled to dock in port on April 8 with approximately 2,500 passengers.

(from Sectur press release)

480,000 Tourists Expected in Mazatlán for Holiday

by Maureen Dietrich
30 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

Lifeguards are warning of extremely high waves due to the annual “mar de fondo” phenomenon.

Sinaloa Secretary of Tourism, Francisco Córdova Celaya, told media yesterday his office predicts an influx of approximately 480,000 tourists in Mazatlán during the Semana Santa and Semana Pascua holidays this week and next week, an increase of 20 percent over last year.

He continued that 2015 will be a record year for tourism in Sinaloa and mentioned new hotels will be built in the State this year adding 700 new rooms for tourists.

A total of 10,000 agents from 21 security institutions will deployed during the holidays.

His office expects 1,500,000 visitors in total for Sinaloa who will spend in the neighbourhood of 675 million pesos during the holidays.

At the Convention Center yesterday, the Sinaloa Semana Santa 2015 security operation was inaugurated by Governor Mario López, Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton and representatives of the Marines, army, State, federal and municipal police agencies.

A total of 10,000 agents from 21 security institutions, 2,000 vehicles, five helicopters and six armoured cars will be deployed throughout the State said Sinaloa Secretary of Public Security, Genaro García Castro.

As tourists begin to flock to Mazatlán beaches this week, lifeguards are warning of extremely high waves due to the annual “mar de fondo” phenomenon. Just last Saturday, he said, his squad rescued seven people when they were pulled into the sea by high waves.

Gustavo Gómez Rangel, Mazatlán´s Port Captain, also issued an alert that waves could cause damage and risks to boats such as yachts and sailboats. The natural phenomenon which began two days ago has presented problems specifically in La Marina where pleasure boats are docked, he advised, and although he would close the port to small vessels if waves intensify, to date it has not been necessary.

(from Noroeste)

Alertan en playas de Mazatlán por oleaje intenso

Fernando Velasco

noroeste.com

30-03-2015

El mar de fondo, que es fuerte oleaje, ya tiene varios días y prevén que dure los primeros días de Semana Santa. Fotografía: Noroeste / Andrés García / Víctor Acosta.

< anterior siguiente >

 

MAZATLÀN._ Si usted va la playa y quiere bañarse en el mar extreme sus precauciones y más con niños y adultos mayores, ya que hay oleaje intenso en Mazatlán desde hace días, producto del fenómeno de mar de fondo.

Elementos del Escuadrón de Rescate Acuático de la Policía Municipal y el Capitán del Puerto hacen un llamado tanto a bañistas locales y turistas como al personal de las embarcaciones menores y a prestadores de servicios turísticos para que tomen todas las precauciones posibles para evitar un percance en el mar debido al fuerte oleaje, que posiblemente dure los primeros días de Semana Santa.

Gustavo Gómez Rangel, Capitán de Puerto, específico que aunque el fenómeno conocido como mar de fondo es normal, el fuerte oleaje puede producir daños y riesgos para embarcaciones como yates y veleros, por lo cual, aunque no se ha impedido la navegación, se recomienda precaución durante Semana Santa.

El fenómeno es común que ocurra, los últimos 2 días se ha presentado; cuando sucede con más intensidad se detiene la navegación a embarcaciones menores y a prestadores de servicios en zona de playa, pero no ha sido el caso aún".

La zona que ha presentado mayores problemas ha sido La Marina, específicamente el punto donde se encuentran ubicados los yates, especificó.

Gómez Rangel exhortó a quienes prestan servicios a tomar precauciones y mantenerse alertas por la permanencia del mar de fondo, que ocasiona oleaje intenso e impide la navegación segura.

Por su parte, el comandante del Escuadrón de Rescate Acuático de la Policía Municipal, Sergio Cervantes Rodríguez, se sumó también al llamado a los bañistas para que extremen sus precauciones al meterse al mar, debido al oleaje intenso.

Cervantes Rodríguez pidió a los bañistas no tomar riesgos innecesarios y hacer caso de los señalamientos en las playas así como de las recomendaciones de los salvavidas.

Tanto sólo el pasado sábado 28 de marzo, siete personas fueron rescatadas por salvavidas cuando eran jaladas mar adentro por la fuerte marejada.

Recomendaciones

Si usted va a la playa tomen las siguientes advertencias:

- Evitar meterse al mar cuando el oleaje sea intenso

- No pierda de vista a niños ni adultos mayores

- Haga caso de las recomendaciones de los salvavidas

- Evite meterse al mar con ropa pesada como pantalón de mezclilla

- Respete las indicaciones de los banderines en las playas

- No introducirse al agua después de hacer comido o ingerido bebidas embriagantes

Terminan de mejorar 'rostro' de Mazatlán para Semana Santa

Verenice Peraza

noroeste.com

26-03-2015

Trabajadores ultiman detalles antes de recibir al turismo en Semana Santa. Fotografía: Noroeste / Verenice Peraza.

 

MAZATLÀN._ Al 99 por ciento se encuentran los trabajos de remozamiento del puerto, a unas horas de que inicie oficialmente el periodo vacacional de Semana Santa y de Pascua.

Julio Guerra Echeagaray, director de Servicios Públicos municipales, dijo que ayer se culminó con los trabajos de mantenimiento del Malecón, con el pintado de rampas y el retiro de grafiti del área del muro.

Además, se inició la colocación de una parte de los 300 tambos que servirán para que turistas y locales depositen los desechos que generen durante su estancia en la playa, abundó.

"En general podemos decir que Mazatlán está limpio y listo para recibir a los turistas, ya se cuenta con un operativo muy específico de mantenimiento permanente de la ciudad, a fin de no permitir la acumulación de basura, fallas en el alumbrado público, y en todo lo que tengan qué ver con los servicios públicos", sostuvo.

El funcionario indicó que a partir de este fin de semana se espera un aumento importante en la generación de basura.

Pero lo más "grueso" de la recolección, pronosticó, se presentará del Jueves Santo al Domingo de Resurrección, donde se espera recolectar por día entre 100 y 120 toneladas extras de basura, lo que se sumará a las 600 toneladas de desechos que se recogen en promedio en un día normal en la ciudad.

"Si a esto le sumamos que cada camión recolecta entre 5 y 6 toneladas por viaje, echándole pluma, vemos el 'mundo' de trabajo que tendrá el personal de Aseo Urbano", manifestó.

A partir de este sábado, personal de Barrido Humano y Aseo Urbano limpiarán en diferentes horarios la zona de playa, desde Punta Cerritos hasta Olas Altas, añadió.

Guerra Echeagaray destacó que en el caso del Malecón, los trabajos de mantenimiento serán de las 2:30 a las 7:00 horas, al igual que en la Zona Dorada y Cerritos.

Schools Close for Semana Santa on Thursday

by Maureen Dietrich
24 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

At the final bell on the afternoon of Thursday, March 26, schools in the municipality of Mazatlán will close to begin Semana Santa holidays.

The 102,000 students and 5,000 teachers will return to classes on April 13.

(from Noroeste)

8,000 Police Deployed for Semana Santa

by Maureen Dietrich
23 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

Sinaloa Secretary of Public Security, Genaro García Castro, said the security operation for Semana Santa in Sinaloa is ready and will consist of 8,203 State and municipal police as well as Army, Navy and civil protection personnel.

At a press conference he advised the public security secretariat has invested millions of pesos in publicity to encourage vacationers to (act responsibly) and not become a statistic.

We are 8,203 police agents of three million inhabitants in Sinaloa plus visitors, he pointed out, and for that reason society and the government must unite for a calm holiday.

(from Noroeste)

Carnaval in Semana Santa

by Maureen Dietrich on 18 Mar 15 in Home | 1 Comment | Print |

Par Vial traffic diversion when all four lanes of Av. Camarón Sábalo will be one way south to north begins on April 1 and will end April 5.

At a press conference yesterday, Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton and Cultura Director Raúl Rico announced new programs for the upcoming Semana Santa holiday during which it is expected upwards of 150,000 tourists will visit the city.

The idea is to make Mazatlán an innovative tourist destination, attractive and ideal for new investments that generate employment and social wellbeing, said the Mayor.

Speaking to reporters, the Cultura Director stated that in addition to the Bandródromo 2015 of four bandstands with live music in Olas Altas, there will be two parades with luminous floats and a spectacular fireworks display in the bahía del Viejo Mazatlán (Olas Altas).

The Bandródromo will take place April 1 through 4 from 8pm to 4am and admission is free. Music lovers can bring their own alcoholic beverages providing they are not in glass containers or other material that can be used as weapons.

The Bandródromo will take place April 1 through 4 from 8pm to 4am and admission is free.

Groups appearing at the four night party are Grupo Havana Libre, Banda Sihuey, Los Navegantes, Banda Hermanos Romero, Grupo Maz Show and Banda La Extrema Pura Canela. Stages will be erected in front of Calle Sixto Osuna, Calle Constitución at Olas Altas, in front of the Deer Monument and between the Ferrusquilla and La Mujer Mazatleca statues.

On Thursday, April 2 at 7pm there will be a parade of illuminated floats along the Malecón from Av. Rafael Buelna to Calle Rigoberto Lewis. The parade will be repeated on Saturday, April 4.

A spectacular fireworks display is programed for Friday, April 3 at 10:30pm in Olas Altas Bay.
For his part, Renato Ocampo explained the Par Vial traffic diversion when all four lanes of Av. Camarón Sábalo will be one way south to north begins on April 1 and will end April 5. The change in flow begins at the intersection of Av. Rafael Buelna and Av. Del Mar.

To offer alternative routes to private communities, El Cid will open its gates to public circulation. Marlin and Tiburón boulevards in Sabalo Country, Calle Lomas de Mazatlán and Av. Gaviotas will also be open for two-way traffic.

In order to alleviate the confusion encountered last year when drivers were unaware of the traffic flow change, Ocampo advised hotels and restaurants will be given flyers on the traffic change to be handed to guests and clients.

He also announced free bus fares for tourists and locals travelling Av. Camarón Sábalo and the addition of five parking lots.

(from Municipal press releases)

Businesses Criticize Semana Santa Par Vial and Bandódromo

by Maureen Dietrich
17 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

 

For business owners in the Zona Dorada and Olas Altas, strategies adopted by the municipal government for Semana Santa with respect to the Par Vial and Bandóromo prejudices their sales during the long holiday.

Following the announcement that for the second year the municipality will implement the Par Vial program in the Zona Dorada when all lanes on Av. Camarón Sábalo will be one way from south to north, some store owners on that street and Av. Gaviotas said the program will not improve their sales as happened last year and complained the city did not take them into account nor consult with them.

However, other owners were in agreement with the change saying it allows more people to enter the Zona Dorada to shop and eat.

Business owners in Olas Altas on the other side of the city say they do not want the Bandódromo bandstands near their shops and restaurants.

One restaurant owner stated that the municipality thinks their plan will succeed, but last year was a fiasco with people thinking it was Carnaval.

They also complained about beer stands that were erected last year in front of Olas Altas bars and restaurants, and agreed noise from the bands bothered clients. It is a bad idea, they told reporters, for the municipal government to put the Bandóromo in Olas Altas.

(from Noroeste)

City Considers Allowing Beach Camping during Semana Santa

by staff
10 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

Beaches where camping would be allowed would be those in the less densely populated area of northern Mazatlán.

Mazatlán Mayor Carlos Felton announced yesterday that during Semana Santa if it is necessary the municipality will allow sleeping on the beach for those who cannot find hotel rooms due to the high demand.

Mayor Felton told reporters at a press conference on Monday the municipality must take action so that no one decides not to come to Mazatlán, adding the municipality could supply drinking water and portable bathrooms (for those camping on the beach).

The municipality could supply drinking water and portable bathrooms (for those camping on the beach).

Beaches where camping would be allowed would be those in the less densely populated area of northern Mazatlán, not those in front of hotels or the Malecón, stated Felton.

Still on the topic of Semana Santa the director of Cultura, Raúl Rico González, announced for the second consecutive year Cultura is preparing the Bandódromo for April 2, 3 and 4 in Olas Altas.

The idea behind the music spectacular, costing approximately one million pesos, is to avoid the concentration of Semana Santa vacationists in the Zona Dorada where historically the numbers have caused traffic congestion and road closures.

The director commented he hoped the Bandódromo would work as well as it did last year when it attracted around 70,000 people into Olas Altas to enjoy the music.

(from Noroeste)

Semana Santa Hotel Reservations at 90 Percent

by Maureen Dietrich
4 Mar 15
mazmessenger.com

According to Sinaloa Secretary of Tourism, Francisco Córdova Celaya, hotel reservations for this year’s Semana Santa and Semana Pascua holidays beginning March 30 is already at 90 percent occupancy rate.

He calculated if the cost of renting a room is 2,000 pesos and if hotels are at 100 percent occupation for the 12 days, that equates to 120,000 hotel nights or 400 million pesos income from hotels alone.
The Secretary added there are no rooms available for the holidays in Mazatlán and they are looking for alternatives, possibly in Stone Island, and talking with condominiums and hotels outside the city to make rooms available.

(from Noroeste)

Holiday Traffic Accidents Double Compared to Last Year

by Maureen Dietrich

22 Apr 14

mazmessenger.com

 

Despite the fact that Semana Santa left 57 people dead from traffic accidents, murders or drowning in Sinaloa, the State Secretary of Public Security qualified security operations during the holidays as a success.

According to Genaro García Castro, 34 people died in traffic accidents, double the number of last year, 21 people were murdered and two drowned.

García Castro pointed out that none of the murders or fatal accidents occurred in beach or recreational areas in the State.

He told media that the 34 people who lost their lives in traffic accidents were the result of driving while impaired and that in sixty percent of all accidents alcohol or drugs were present.

During the 2013 Semana Santa holidays, 17 people died as a result of vehicle accidents, 33 were murdered and seven drowned.

In comparison, during 2014, 34 died in traffic accidents, 21 were murdered and two people drowned.

The SSP reported that State-wide 162 drivers were arrested for drunk driving, 30 for gun possession, 27 for theft, two for kidnapping, two for murder and three for femicide. 

(from Noroeste)

Raul Rico Calls “Bandódromo” a Success

by Murry Page

 22 Apr 14 

mazmessenge.com

 

Raúl González Rico, Director of the Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism and Art of Mazatlán, and the person in charge of festivities along Olas Altas during Semana Santa, also called Bandódromo,” said that an estimated 112,000 people gathered along Olas Altas from Thursday through Sunday.

He said this was the first year of Bandódromo and it provided both locals and tourists a safe place to have fun during Semana Santa.

Families could have fun at the location from 8:00 pm in the evening until 4:00 am the following morning with free entertainment.

Raúl González Rico said the cost of the festivities was 848,000 pesos ($64,500), adding that the cost would be offset with contributions from the breweries that participated in Bandódromo.

(from El Sol de Mazatlán)

Aquarium Breaks Attendance Records

by Murry Page

21 Apr 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Jorge del Rincón Jarero, Director of the city’s aquarium, said that on Friday and then again on Saturday the Mazatlán Aquarium broke its attendance records. He attributed a significant portion of the record breaking attendance to the Mazatlán-Durango highway.

Jorge del Rincón Jarero said, “The Aquarium did not expect so many people, although we did have high hopes for attendance, but it was incredible what happened mainly on Friday and Saturday.”

He said that the aquarium had never had 4,000 people in one day, but that number was exceeded on Friday. He added, “However, this number increased considerably the next day, when 5,000 visited the aquarium.”

(from El sol de Mazatlán)

A Good Semana Santa for Sinaloa

by Murry Page

21 Apr 14  

mazmessenger/com

 

Francisco Córdova Celaya, Secretary of Tourism for the state of Sinaloa, said we are expecting the financial impact on the state from Semana Santa to be approximately 650 million pesos ($49.5 million), with the greatest impact to be seen in the southern and central part of the state.

The projected 650 million pesos is income realized by restaurants, hotels, boat rentals, and similar tourist purchases.

According to the Secretary of Tourism, during Semana Santa last year the state saw a positive financial impact of 497 million pesos ($37.7 million), making this year 31% greater.

In addition to increased revenues, Francisco Córdova Celaya said the number of visitors to the state was up 200,000 over 2013.

He added, “We’re thinking that Mazatlán will realize additional revenues of between 400 to 450 million pesos, the rest would be statewide.”

(from Noroeste)

Mazatlán saw almost one million visitors over Semana Santa

by Murry Page

21 Apr 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

From Sunday, April 13 through Saturday, April 19 Mazatlán played host to 945,100 visitors, according to Francisco Córdova Celaya, Secretary of Tourism for the state of Sinaloa.

He said that on Saturday alone it is estimated that 211,000 people invaded the city’s beaches, while another 30,000 played on the beaches of Stone Island.

Olas Altas, or “Bandódormo” as it was called, had a projected 55,000 people on Saturday.

We saw a lot of tourists from the states of Durango, Jalisco and Monterrey, Córdova Celaya said. He added that many of the tourists returned home yesterday and most of the rest will be leaving the city today.

(from Noroete)