Trade Commission of Mexico
N  E  W  S  L  E  T  T  E  R

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA   March / April 2004                           Volume II  Issue 61

MEXICO LAUNCHES NEW TOURISM DESTINATION--LORETO BAY

Mexican tourism officials have ratified an agreement with a Canadian-American company to develop the next major tourism destination in Mexico.  The Villages of Loreto Bay will be a series of seaside villages built on 3,000 acres in the foothills of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains and along three miles of coastline on the Sea of Cortez near the historic town of Loreto.

Development of the area has already begun.  The first 60 homes were offered recently and sold out in the first day with a total value of sales in excess of $30 million.  Many of the buyers were visiting the area for the first time.  The next homes became available February 14, 2004.

Mexico's president, Vicente Fox, has visited the site and participated in project meetings with developers and state and local officials.  Fox has expressed his support for the Villages at Loreto Bay, and welcomed the jobs and tourism revenue the project would bring.

The Villages of Loreto Bay is the last of five areas identified by FONATUR, Mexico's tourist development agency, as prime tourist development sites in Mexico.  The

others are well-known destinations of Cancun, Los Cabos, Ixtapa-Zihuatenejo and Huatulco.  The project will begin construction immediately.  When completed, the seaside community will include 5,000 homes, hotels, service and retail businesses, and cultural and recreational facilities.

FONATUR has partnered with the Trust for Sustainable Development to develop the new community.  The Trust is led by Canadian David Butterfield who has partnered with James Grogan, a well-known Arizona developer and Chairman of the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority to lead the Loreto Bay management team.

"We are honored by Mexico's invitation to build an extraordinary and authentic Mexican seaside

community," said Butterfield.  "The natural beauty of this area is literally soul-stirring and it is our responsibility to complement it with ecological sustainability and architecturally enchanting villages."

James Grogan said, "This is a terrific opportunity for people to own seaside homes starting in the $150,000 U.S. price range...homes they can reach in a couple of hours thanks to Loreto International Airport.  At the same time it's an unknown escape for visitors and a great deal for investors." He added that each home built would create one new job and generate significant economic activity to the area.

For more information, visit: www.loretobay.com

The Trust for Sustainable Development is an inter-disciplinary group of professionals committed to envisioning, designing and building sustainable communities (towns and buildings).  FONATUR is Mexico's Tourism Development agency and for 26 years has contributed significantly to the growth of Mexican tourism industry and promoting Mexico as an international tourism destination.


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EDITOR'S CORNER: 
This publication is published monthly by
The Trade Commission of Mexico
350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 296
Los Angeles, CA 90071 USA
Tel. (213) 628-1220 Fax. (213) 628- 8466 
E-Mail: Mextrade@Earthlink.net 
Home Page: http://www.mexico-trade.com 
Trade Commissioner: Herminio Hernandez
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U.S.-Mexico to Expand FAST Lanes on Border / Ultravision to Deploy Wireless Broadband Network Solution in Puebla, Mexico / American Industries Hosts Business Seminars            page 2
Trade & Investment Opportunities from Mexico                                                                           page 3
Events Calendar/ Trade Commission Services                                                                             page 4


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