August 07, 2011
MiPymes Credito Limita Crecimiento Negocios
En México, sólo el 3 por ciento de las micro pequeñas y medianas empresas (Mipymes) cuenta con un crédito bancario, lo cual limita su crecimiento y oportunidad en el mercado doméstico.
De acuerdo con el director de productos comerciales de Visa, Diego Rodríguez, en América Latina sólo 15 por ciento de las Mipymes tiene un financiamiento, ya que en la región existe un vacío en préstamos a pequeños empresarios.
Rodríguez, mencionó durante la presentación de la encuesta Perspectivas de la Mipymes en América Latina, que la sequía de crédito es una barrera al crecimiento económico y mejoramiento de la productividad de la Mipymes.
Dicha encuesta de Visa incluyó mil 340 entrevistas en Brasil, Chile, Costa Rica, Perú y México. Sólo 3% de las Mipymes en México tienen un crédito
Mexico Travel 02:43 PM | Mexico Travel
July 12, 2010
Mexico Social Media PR Public Relations
Social Media - 5 Ways to Make the Most Out of Social Media for PR
By Michael Pranikoff, Director, Emerging Media, PR Newswire
Social Media has taken over most conversations in the realm of communications and marketing. Some people think that social media will cure all. The truth is that the technology behind social media has just made it easier for professionals in the communications industry to connect with their audiences more than ever before.
This brings up the question of who is the audience. Today, that audience is vast. It’s no longer just the traditional media, but really, anyone who wants to exercise their voice. According to the 2009 Edelman Trust Barometer, people trust “a person like themselves” more often than anyone else. The survey also revealed that 60% of people need to hear a message 3-5 times in order to believe it.
So, how can you make the most of social media?
1. Listen – Listening is often rule number one. Learn how to listen and learn from multiple platforms online–blogs, YouTube, Facebook, forums and more. The better you listen and learn, the better you are going to be able to create a relationship with your audience. There are lots of tools to help you listen from free tools like RSS readers to tools like PR Newswire’s Social Media Metrics.
2. Multimedia – Today, it is said that YouTube is now the second largest search engine. If you want to reach people where they are, then use of video is a great way to reach a fast growing audience. More than just reaching your audience, it’s about allowing them to find you in search.
3. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Today, we have to think about search in everything that we do. Understanding how people look for and find your information is incredibly important.
4. Share – If it is true that people trust “a person like themselves”, then we need to make sure that our content today (whatever form that content is in) is easy for people to share with their friends or peers.
5. Transparency –Today, more than ever, we have to be transparent in everything that we do. Companies need to be transparent about the messages that they are sending and conform to the platform you are on.
Finally, don’t be afraid to try something new. Social Media for brands is all about experimentation. Focus on what your goals are before trying something and that way you can measure whether it’s a success or just simply time to try something else.
Visit PR Newswire's PR Toolkit to access practical tips and resources to help you create an effective public relations program for your small business. You’ll receive a free annual membership ($195 value) and more than $2,000 in discounts and free services.
Mexico Travel 02:49 PM | Mexico Travel
Mexico Small Business Social Media Network
Social Media - Are You Taking Advantage of Social Media & Online Tools?
A recent CitiBank survey of small business owners found that most are not taking advantage of social media and online tools. However, it also showed that younger entrepreneurs (those under age 45) were more skilled at online marketing, giving them an advantage.
Here are some of the most notable survey results:
* 81% of entrepreneurs still don’t take advantge of social media
* 47% don’t think that Facebook, Twitter or even LinkedIn are beneficial to their business
* 40% of small businesses don’t have a web site
* 84% don’t provide for e-commerce
* 62% don’t use email marketing
Why is Social Media Relevant to Your Business?
It’s time to start taking advantage of all the web has to offer. As a business owner, you have to go where your clients are. According to Google, Facebook is the most trafficked site in the world, with Twitter ranking #18 and LinkedIn coming in the top 100 at #56. Facebook alone has more than 400 million active users who spend over 500 billion minutes per month on the site. Twitter has over 100 million registered users and adds an average of 300,000 new users a day. Similarly, LinkedIn has over 70 million members with a new person joining every second.
Web Business Basics
Even more important than your social media involvement is your business web site. With all the site creation tools and hosting options, there’s no excuse not to have a professional site. This dramatically increases your business’s chances for growth and success. Not convinced? Here are the stats to prove it.
* Online retailers are acquiring new customers at a 15% annual rate versus 2% for traditional brick and mortar retail outlets.
Deloitte & Touche USA, 11/2006
* Consumers are 50% more likely to be influenced by blogs and e-mails than TV or radio advertising.
EPM Communications, 04/2006
* 54% of consumers referred a friend to a vendor found online.
Nielsen/Net Ratings, 11/2006
* Online sales are growing at a rate between 20 and 25% per year. Online sales (including travel) are projected to reach $211.4 billion this year.
Shop.org, 07/2006
Get Started Today
In this Internet age, you can’t afford not to be more engaged online. After all, your competitors are already making online connections. To get help developing your web presence and marketing online, visit your local SCORE office or ask a SCORE mentor for help online.
Mexico Travel 02:46 PM | Mexico Travel
June 27, 2010
Sams Club National Small Business Weeks
Social Media - Sam's Club is celebrating the American entrepreneur and National Small Business Week with a special offer to help small business owners nationwide with a 15-week membership for $15. The program is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs starting up and not currently members to see how Sam's Club can help them simplify their operations and save.
In a recent state of small business survey conducted by Sam's Club, more than 4,440 of its members reported they continue to face economic challenges but are moving from survival to success. Their top concerns are fiscal health, as well as fuel costs, access to capital and credit's impact on their businesses. Current business trends focus on reducing excess expenses to help with cash flow and focusing on new media to attract customers and encourage engagement.
"It continues to be a tough environment for small business owners, but Sam's Club is here to help," says Mike Turner, Vice President Sam's Club Membership. "The $15 membership is a great way for us to introduce them to Sam's Club and our services and we are confident they will see the value of membership within one or two trips to a club or by using samsclub.com."
National Small Business Week, established by the Small Business Administration (SBA), kicks-off May 23 and wraps up May 28. Small business owners throughout the country will collectively celebrate their successes and work together to unite for the coming year. Sam's Club has been a sponsor of the event for many years and will also show its support for small business when its executives, managers and club associates work shoulder-to-shoulder with some of its members during the annual Sam's Club Small Business Appreciation Day.
Last year Sam's Club visited more than 300,000 small business owners nationwide to conduct cost comparisons and identified more than $700,000 million of savings on similar items sold at Sam's Club and other providers. Sam's Club makes saving simple for the more than 600,000 small business owners walking through its doors every day of the year with special shopping hours-Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.- and via its convenient order ahead service, Click 'n' Pull. Sam's Club also does not require minimum orders or contracts.
For more information about the Sam's Club support of National Small Business Week, visit http://www.samsclub.com/smallbusiness .
About Sam's Club
Sam's Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT). The first Sam's Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam's Club serves more than 47 million U.S. members with locations nationwide, as well as in Brazil, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam's Club saves its members on average 30.4 percent over grocery and specialty retailers by offering superior values on quality merchandise and services for home or work. Saving is made simple at Sam's Club. Visit samsclub.com for more information.
Mexico Travel 12:39 AM | Mexico Travel
Doctora Aliza editor of Vida y Salud
Social Media - La Doctora Aliza, editor in chief of VidaySalud.com and expert health commentator for the Univision network, will be honored with the prestigious Latino Spirit Award by the Latino Legislative Caucus during a special Assembly floor session at the California Capitol in Sacramento.
"Doctor Aliza Lifshitz has made an enormous contribution to the public health of the Latin American community in the United States. We honor her today, with all due merit, for her brilliant career as a communicator and as a physician. Dr. Lifshitz's television segments explain medical conditions simply and clearly, and recommend positive lifestyle changes for healthy living. The Latino Legislative Caucus honors her this day with its Latino Spirit Award," said Senator Gilbert Cedillo, chairman of the Caucus.
Among those honored this year are Rosa "Rosie" Gumataotao Rios, Treasurer of the United States; author and political commentator Leslie Sanchez; and the Honorable Frederick Aguirre of the Superior Court of California. The Univision network will receive A Latino Spirit Award for it's achievement in media and community outreach.
The Latino Legislative Caucus created the Latino Spirit Awards in 2001 to celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the common culture of the United States and to motivate the youth of California. Previous honorees have included musician Carlos Santana, boxer and philanthropist Oscar de la Hoya, activist Rigoberta Menchu-Tum, producer Moctesuma Esparza, actors Andy Garcia and Tony Plana, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, teacher Jaime Escalante and civil rights attorney Dolores Huerta.
About la Doctora Aliza:
Dr. Aliza A. Lifshitz, Editor in Chief of VidaySalud.com(TM), is a renowned physician, author and health reporter. Dr. Lifshitz is the public face of the Univision television network's Peabody Award-winning health initiative Enterate: Salud es Vida. She also appears on the network's Primer Impacto, the top rated Spanish-language television news magazine. El Consultorio de la Dra. Aliza, her live call-in program, airs weekly on the Univision Radio network. Dr. Lifshitz writes regular monthly columns for People en Espanol and for Ser Padres. Her weekly column in La Opinion is syndicated in Spanish-language newspapers throughout the country. Her monthly column in the Vista bilingual supplement runs in 29 newspapers nationwide.
In addition to her media activities, Dr. Lifshitz maintains a full-time practice in Internal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and was President of the California Hispanic Medical Association an unprecedented four terms.
Mexico Travel 12:04 AM | Mexico Travel
Unveiling Senate Immigration Reform
Mr. Javier Palomarez, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the national representative for nearly 3 million Hispanic owned businesses and more than 200 local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, released the following statement on the unveiling of a Senate framework for immigration reform:
"For many years, the USHCC has been a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reforms that include a path to residency for undocumented immigrants, a temporary worker program for future immigrants and a preservation of the principle of family reunification while also strengthening our ability to attract talented individuals to add to the prosperity of our nation.
"The proposal that was unveiled by the Senate Democratic leadership contains many important elements of comprehensive immigration reform, including many priorities of the business community. This is a good framework for reform, and we look forward to being invited to engage in negotiations on the drafting of the bill. Nevertheless, the USHCC will seek improvements to this legislation for the benefit of the nearly 3 million Hispanic business owners we represent.
"Ultimately, the USHCC praises the policy content of this proposal, but we sincerely hope to see a bipartisan process, full engagement of our business community, and a process that earnestly seeks to achieve the elusive goal of comprehensive immigration reform."
About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Mexico Travel 12:02 AM | Mexico Travel
June 26, 2010
American Dream Starts your library
Small Business - Seventy public libraries in 21 states have been selected by the American Library Association (ALA) to receive $5,000 grants as part of "The American Dream Starts @ your library(R)" literacy initiative. Many of the programs have been developed for Spanish speakers. The initiative is funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
The grant recipients include urban and rural libraries. The grant funds will be used by the libraries to expand their print and digital literacy collections, offer classes and conversation clubs, develop mobile tech labs and reach out to English language learners. A list of the libraries receiving the grant is available at www.ala.org/americandream.
These specialized programs and services will help so many achieve their own dreams of success in America
"The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to join with the ALA to provide grants to libraries that are committed to enhancing their literacy services for those learning to speak English," said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General's chairman and CEO. "These specialized programs and services will help so many achieve their own dreams of success in America."
Public libraries have long been a cornerstone of the American Dream, providing equal access to information. Libraries are uniquely positioned to be among the first American institutions immigrants turn to for help in adapting to a new culture by learning how to read, write and speak English, according to ALA.
"The American Dream Starts @ your library reaches thousands of adults and helps libraries change lives." said Dr. Camila Alire, ALA 2009-2010 President.
The 2005 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) found that 11 million US adults -- about one in 20 -- have such limited English skills that they can't read a newspaper. Recent immigrants account for most of this group. "The American Dream Starts @ your library(R)" literacy initiative was created by ALA and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to meet this need.
About the ALA - The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 63,000 members.
About Dollar General - Dollar General is a leading discount retailer with more than 8,800 neighborhood stores. Dollar General stores provide convenience and value to customers by offering consumable basic items such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids and cleaning supplies, as well as basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at everyday low prices. The company has a longstanding tradition of supporting literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 2.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about Dollar General, visit www.dollargeneral.com.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Camila Alire https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=92884
Media interested in scheduling interviews with grant recipients who can share success stories should contact Megan McFarlane, campaign coordinator, Campaign for America's Libraries, 312-280-2148, or mmcfarlane@ala.org.
Mexico Travel 11:55 PM | Mexico Travel
U.S. Hispanic Social Media Guide
The official 2010 U.S. Hispanic Social Media Guide will be published and distributed free in late May by the Hispanic PR Blog in partnership with the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) and the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA). The guide will be made available a couple weeks following the conclusion of the Hispanic PR & Social Media Marketing Conference, May 10-12.
"This comprehensive guide will feature key highlights from the conference as well as other pertinent stories and facts not currently available anywhere else," said U.S. Hispanic Social Media Guide and Hispanic PR Blog Publisher Manny Ruiz. "The guide, like the conference, will be one of many tools that the Hispanic PR Blog and our industry organization partners use to equip marketers on how to best harness the power of Hispanic social media. We're delighted to once again raise the bar on Hispanic social media."
The guide will automatically be emailed to all attendees of the Hispanic PR & Social Media Marketing Conference along with exclusive audio from two of the conference's key social media sessions. It will be made available free to anyone else simply by subscribing to the free daily e-newsletter Hispanicize, the soon to be launched daily newsletter of the Hispanic PR Blog. To get on the list of free guide recipients complete the quick form at http://www.hispanicprblog.com/hispanicize/.
For more information on the Hispanic PR & Social Media Marketing Conference, visit www.hispanicprconference.com or contact show director, Ray Bianchi, at info@hispanicprblog.com or 305-321-5002. You also may subscribe to conference-related "Tweets"; the Twitter hash-tag for the conference is #HPRConf. Follow us on Facebook via Hispanic PR/Social Media.
About the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) - HPRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization to establish a network of Hispanics employed in the public relations profession. HPRA has more than 250 members representing public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, non-profit and corporate companies. HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic professionals and provides educational seminars and workshops throughout the year. The organization has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships to Latino students pursuing a career in communications during the last 25 years. HPRA strives to be a resource for communications professionals and for those seeking insights into the Hispanic market.
About the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) - WOMMA, http://WOMMA.org, is the leading trade association in the marketing and advertising industries that focuses on word of mouth, consumer-generated, social media platforms and marketing techniques that include buzz, viral, community, and influencer marketing, as well as brand blogging. The organization is committed to developing and maintaining appropriate ethical standards for marketers, identifying meaningful measurement standards and defining "best practices" for the industry.
About the Hispanic PR Blog - Founded by multicultural public relations veterans Manny Ruiz, former CEO of Hispanic PR Wire, and Angela Sustaita-Ruiz of Hispanic Media Trainers, LLC, the Hispanic PR Blog is the Hispanic market industry's top source for news and views focused on Hispanic public relations and social media marketing. The blog and its accompanying daily newsletter, Hispanicize, feature columns, stories, white papers, job postings, calendar events and more. Hispanic Media Trainers, LLC, is the parent company of the Hispanic Public Relations & Social Marketing Conference.
Mexico Travel 11:53 PM | Mexico Travel
Sears Layaway Programs
In an ongoing effort to help its customers, Sears is extending its layaway program to include home appliances for the very first time. The announcement comes on the heels of the government's "Cash for Appliances" stimulus plan, which offered rebates to consumers for purchasing EPA-certified, ENERGY STAR(R) qualified appliances.
"For customers who haven't taken advantage of the government rebate program, Sears' layaway presents the opportunity to purchase more efficient appliances, while managing their budget," said Susan Ehrlich, president, Financial Services, Sears Holdings. "Having been recognized as the 2010 ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year, we continue to help American homes become more energy-efficient. Programs such as layaway offer a smart solution by making big-ticket items more affordable."
In addition to expanding the number of items available on layaway, Sears also recently announced plans to roll out an extended layaway program which will give shoppers more time to complete payment on contracts. The extended layaway program will launch in stores this fall.
According to Ehrlich, offering layaway for appliances comes as shoppers look for smarter ways to save money and better manage their family budget. "Layaway helps shoppers budget their purchases into four easy payments over an eight-week period - all for as low as $5 initiation fee," she said.
According to a recent national survey conducted by Sears, more than 33 percent of people said they would consider using layaway for home appliance purchases. "Our customer spoke, so we listened," said Susan Ehrlich. "Launching layaway for home appliances is just part of Sears' ongoing commitment to offering its customers innovative ways to shop. Whether they're preparing for a home renovation or simply updating to energy-efficient models, purchasing home appliances on layaway makes shopping easier, more affordable and interest free."
Consumers can use Sears' layaway year round for every shopping occasion. A down payment of $15 or 20 percent is required at the start of the contract; bi-weekly payments are then made for the length of the contract. The initiation fee on all new layaway contracts is just $5. Consumers can also visit http://www.sears.com/layaway to shop using online layaway and manage payments. Cancellation fees may apply.
Mexico Travel 11:51 PM | Mexico Travel
April 20, 2010
Mexico President Commits Mexico Tourism Development
Mexican president reaffirms commitment to tourism - April 20, 2010
Addressing a group of luxury travel specialists at the annual Virtuoso Overseas Symposium, Mexico President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa emphasized his country’s commitment to tourism.
Tourism has been identified as a major focus by the Calderón administration, including niche areas of luxury and ecotourism. In the opening meeting of the Virtuoso Overseas Symposium in Mexico City on April 15, Calderon reminded attendees that his administration annually invests more than $5 billion in the tourism industry.
Accompanied by the newly appointed Mexico Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo, as well as the CEO of Virtuoso, Matthew Upchurch, Calderón confirmed that the tourism industry is paramount for Mexico’s economy and is one of the primary generators of employment in the country.
“Mexico can and will be an economic powerhouse when it comes to services,” said Calderón. “As our economy continues to evolve, the financial and tourist services industries will be the engines of our economy in the future. For this reason we are betting heavily on tourism.”
Thirteen percent of all international tourists that visit Mexican destinations are part of the luxury travel segment. According to Virtuoso Luxe Travel Report, Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for luxury travel in the world, second only to Italy. The country offers 111 hotels in the four-star category, 12 in the five-star category and 50 four-star restaurants.
Calderon also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safety of tourists.
“Mexico has a government committed to the safety of its visitors and citizens,” said Calderon. “Its citizens are eager to show their generosity and hospitality to any friend from any part of the world.”
Virtuoso’s Overseas Symposium gathers the world’s most prominent luxury travel executives annually. Held this year in Mexico City, April 15 – 18, more than 400 executives from travel agencies, cruise lines and hotels within Virtuoso’s luxury travel network attended the symposium.
Mexico Travel 03:12 PM | Mexico Travel
October 25, 2009
Obtain temporary Resident Visa Travel to Canada for Business from Business
A Mexican Supreme Court judge says he was initially denied a travel visa to visit Canada with his family this summer because an official didn't believe he had enough money to make the trip.
"When I was informed that our applications were rejected, my first reaction was a big surprise, especially when we knew that we had everything that was needed," Jose Fernando Franco Gonzalez-Salas, a judge on the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation in Mexico, told the Star in an exclusive interview last week.
Gonzalez-Salas said he agreed to tell his story because he wanted to shed light on how a controversial new requirement that all Mexican nationals obtain a temporary resident visa before travelling to Canada for business or pleasure is affecting Mexicans who have no wish to join the illegitimate refugee claimants the change was to target.
"(I want to) help the Mexican authorities who are working to sensitize the government of Canada about the problems and injustice many Mexicans have suffered while asking for a visa to visit that beautiful country and enjoy the warmth and generosity of their people to tourists – especially to Mexicans," Gonzalez-Salas wrote in an email translated from Spanish.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada says 84 per cent of travel visa applications (30,130 of 35,853) have been approved from when the restriction came into force July 14 to the end of last month. Refugee claims at Canadian ports of entry from Mexican nationals fell to 35 over the same period, down from 1,287 in the 10 weeks before the rule came in.
The numbers suggest the restriction is working, but critics argue it is too blunt a tool and leaves legitimate travellers little recourse except to go through the tedious process of applying for a visa again with little idea of whether they will be accepted this time.
Earlier this year, Gonzalez-Salas, his wife and their daughter planned a trip to Canada to visit his son and daughter-in-law, who were in graduate school at the University of Toronto. They were scheduled to fly to Toronto July 16 and then travel to Quebec City, Tadoussac, Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston before returning to Toronto to celebrate the completion of his son and daughter-in-law's master's degrees and then go home to Mexico City on July 30.
Gonzalez-Salas, his wife and daughter applied for single entry visas, which cost 905 Mexican pesos ($75 Cdn) each, on July 13 after hearing Canada was about to bring the new restriction into force the next day. They had to fill out forms with detailed information about their family members and educational and employment history. Gonzalez-Salas said he also had to include a letter from work stating his seniority and wages as well as bank statements.
Gonzalez-Salas said he received a rejection letter the day before his family was scheduled to fly to Canada.
"The visas were denied on the basis of me not having enough stability in my job and that my finances were not enough to make the trip," said Gonzalez-Salas, who did not keep a copy of the letter.
Supreme Court judges in Mexico have often been criticized for their high salaries.
A spokesperson for Citizenship and Immigration Canada said privacy legislation prevented her from commenting on specific cases but suggested there was more to the story. "Our facts differ significantly from what you have indicated," Kelli Fraser wrote in an email, adding that if Gonzalez-Salas signed a form waiving his rights to privacy she could explain more about his case.
Gonzalez-Salas declined to sign the form.
"My first reaction was to cancel the trip to Canada," said Gonzalez-Salas, who was appointed to the 11-member Supreme Court to preside over administrative and labour law in December 2006. "Personal contact with the Canadian ambassador in Mexico or anyone from the embassy was next to impossible. Everything had to be dealt with on the telephone through recorded messages." He said that some friends in high places convinced him to wait a bit and then – through some way unknown to him – his family was granted the visas early on the day they were supposed to catch their flight to Canada and so managed to enjoy their vacation as originally planned.
"What is really hurtful and upsetting still is that too many Mexicans, who with great effort made plans to travel to that wonderful country and that met all the requirements to be granted a visa, have not been able to get one. If they do, it is after great delay, which is causing great damage," Gonzalez-Salas said. "I think that is a great injustice."
A spokesperson for the Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa said the country remains disappointed with the travel restriction.
"We still regret the measure and our government is still working toward modifying this measure as soon as possible," said Alberto Lozano Merino. "We have been working with some Canadian authorities in reducing any effect on Mexicans' travel plans to Canada, but we still think that this measure will not guarantee the reduction in the number of refugee claims and it is increasing the operating cost of the Canadian Embassy in Mexico."
Mexico Travel 06:38 PM | Mexico Travel
August 10, 2009
International Tourism Arrivals in Mexico
As the first country in the world to experience an outbreak of the now widespread A(H1N1) influenza virus, Mexico has been really hard hit in terms of tourism demand over the past three months. Preliminary estimates from the Mexican Government put the impact so far at around US$200-$300 million, but the final toll could well be much greater. More than 2,000 inbound flights were cancelled during the early stages of the crisis.
"Mexico should be applauded for the way it handled the swine flu crisis," said Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Operations Officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), speaking at a recent media breakfast organised by the Mexico Tourism Board. "The Mexican Government and other stakeholders in the local Travel & Tourism industry have taught us all a lot because they have shown great leadership during their period of crisis, not to mention responsibility, timeliness and effectiveness.
"This was one of the clear messages that came out of our 9th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, held in Florianópolis, Brazil, in May 2009," Ms Ibrahim added. "The virus and the need for the global Travel & Tourism industry to prepare for a pandemic were top of the agenda at the Summit, and Mexico's responsible approach to reporting the outbreak and its impact impressed delegates from around the world."
In 2008, international tourist arrivals in Mexico grew by 5.9% to 22.6 million while US dollar travel spending by all visitors rose 3.4% to US$13.3 billion. More significantly, WTTC's research shows that the country's Travel & Tourism Economy increased its contribution to 13.2% of Mexico's GDP, growing by 3.8% - as against stagnation in Travel & Tourism Economy GDP posted by the Americas as a whole.
In addition and, even more importantly, given the global economic situation and rising unemployment around the world, an estimated 40,000 additional jobs were created directly last year by Mexico's Travel & Tourism Industry, raising the total number of people directly employed in the sector to 1.7 million.
Mexico Travel 02:45 PM | Mexico Travel
February 16, 2009
Travel Mexico Airport Passengers January 2009
The firm Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste known as ASUR, announced that total passenger traffic for January 2009 increased by 2.1% when compared to January 2008.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste is a Mexican airport operator with concessions to operate, maintain and develop the airports of Cancun, Merida, Cozumel, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Huatulco, Tapachula and Minatitlan in the southeast of Mexico.
MEXICO. Airports group Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) has been buoyed by a +9.4% surge in international passenger traffic in January, compared to the same month a year ago. The group operates nine airports in the southeast of Mexico.
International passenger traffic hit 1,029,860 in the month, with the growth dominated by the group’s major location, Cancún International Airport. There, international passenger numbers climbed by +10.8% in the month, to 952,314. Aldeasa is the duty free retailer at Cancún International.
Domestic passenger numbers across the group fell by -9% in January, dragging down overall passenger growth to +2.1%, or a total of 1,586,101 passengers handled across the ASUR network in the month.
About ASUR - Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) is a Mexican airport operator with concessions to operate, maintain and develop the airports of Cancun, Merida, Cozumel, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Huatulco, Tapachula and Minatitlan in the southeast of Mexico. The company is listed both on the Mexican Bolsa, where it trades under the symbol ASUR, and on the NYSE in the US, where it trades under the symbol ASR.
"Mexico Business" - "Investing Mexico Real Estate" - Tulum Riviera Maya
Mexico Travel 09:44 AM | Mexico Travel
Mexico Airport Passengers December 2008
"Mexico Business" - "Investing Mexico Real Estate" - Tulum Riviera Maya
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR), which manages nine airports in the southeast of Mexico, has posted an encouraging +1% rise in passenger numbers to 1.5 million in December, compared to December 2007. The growth was led by ASUR’s major location, Cancún Airport, which handled 1.08 million passengers, an increase of +6.1% compared to the previous year.
International traffic across its portfolio grew by +9.3% in the month to 872,311 passengers. This was also led by growth at Cancún – the airport registered a rise of +11.1% in international traffic to 810,842.
Domestic passenger traffic across the group fell by -8.6% to 634,853 passengers.
For the full year, total passenger numbers rose by +9.3% to 17.7 million, while international traffic grew by +6.9% to 10 million.
Visit Tulum in Mexico Riviera Maya
Mexico Travel 09:35 AM | Mexico Travel
Mexico Airport Passengers November 2008
"Mexico Business" - "Investing Mexico Real Estate" - Tulum Riviera Maya
Airport operator ASUR has reported a solid +3.1% increase in passenger numbers at its nine-airport network in November, compared to the same month last year. The increase was driven by healthy growth in international traffic at its key location, Cancún International Airport.
International passenger numbers at Cancún rose by +14.2% in the month, to 686,213, while domestic passenger numbers fell -8.8% to 236,942. The net passenger figure at Cancún was 923,155, up +7.3%.
Because of the impressive growth at Cancún, international traffic grew by +12.7% across the group in November, to 732,510.
By contrast, Mexico’s two other major airport operators reported double-digit declines in passenger traffic in November, which they blamed on falling numbers from the low-cost airline business. Some airlines have cut capacity in recent months, while others have been grounded by regulators.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) said that its total traffic fell -15% in November from the same month last year to 1.63 million passengers. Within this, international traffic fell -9.5% to 566,800.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA) reported a -13.3% drop in total passengers to 1.04 million. International traffic was down -17.7% to 193,100.
Passenger numbers at GAP's busiest airport, Guadalajara, fell -11.5% in the month to 546,735. Numbers at OMA's main airport, Monterrey, fell by -14.8% to 475,865 in November.
Mexico Travel 09:32 AM | Mexico Travel
Macquarie Airports ASUR Investments
"Mexico Business News" Macquarie Airports has taken a 5.6% stake in Mexican airports group Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste de Mexico (ASUR), which operates nine airports in the country’s southeast under a 50-year concession.
MAp Chief Executive Ms Kerrie Mather said: “ASUR represents an attractive investment for MAp security holders. The nine airports have total annual traffic of over 17 million passengers, with the largest airport being the significant tourist destination of Cancún. “This is an airport group with a strong and experienced management team and significant potential in the business.” She added: “We expect the returns from this investment to be well above those offered by other current and proposed major airport privatisations.”
Macquarie Airports said it was attracted to ASUR because it had:
– A high proportion of international passengers, strong leisure focus and excellent growth potential;
– High quality facilities and capacity for growth;
– Opportunities in the commercial business;
– A highly regarded management team; and
– A transparent regulatory regime.
Commercial revenues account for 28% of ASUR’s business. Macquarie Airports said the opening of Cancún's T3 last year was a big opportunity to develop commercial revenues.
Copenhagen Airports, in which MAp has an investment, is a shareholder in ASUR's strategic partner, Inversiones y Téchnicas Aeroportuarias S.A. de CV (ITA). ITA has a consulting contract with ASUR for services covering traffic handling, airport expansion and commercial activities.
2008 Half-year results - The news came as MAp reported a net result attributable to shareholders of A$274.3 million (US$238.9 million) for H1 2008. Across its core portfolio, revenue grew by +7.6% in the half (compared to H1 2007), EBITDA by +9.6% against passenger growth of +5.8%.
Critically, the company said that slowing passenger growth had not produced any “material evidence of pressure on passenger retail spend”. The company emphasised that 80% of its retail revenue is earned through minimum guaranteed rents, which it said would protect it from any future “downside” in spending.
As reported previously, retail revenue in the half rose by +11.3% at Sydney Airport, +17.1% at Copenhagen, +10.7% at Brussels and +8.1% at Bristol. Total retail revenue in the half was A$186.3 million (US$162 million).
MAp said its commercial projects were becoming “increasingly vital” to its business. Among those to be delivered in the second half are a multi-storey car park at Sydney Airport’s International Terminal, and redeveloped retail areas at Copenhagen.
MAP said it expected to achieve “solid” results for the full year and maintained a long-term growth forecast of +4% to +5% for passenger traffic, despite the current “challenging” environment.
"Mexico Business" - "Investing Mexico Real Estate" - Tulum Riviera Maya
Mexico Travel 09:25 AM | Mexico Travel
January 31, 2008
Cuando el dinero viaja en Internet
Actualmente, entre 120 mil y 200 mil personas realizan pagos o transferencias vía electrónica y en cuestión de segundos. Busca Banco de México perfeccionar el sistema.
El Sistema de Pagos Electrónicos Interbancarios (SPEI) es utilizado por 60 instituciones financieras, de ellas, 44 son bancos y el resto entidades como: casas de bolsa, de cambio, Afores y aseguradoras.
Realizar transferencias de dinero en menos de diez minutos, sin la necesidad de hacer fila en alguna sucursal bancaria y en la comodidad de la casa u oficina, hoy es una realidad gracias al SPEI, que opera en México desde agosto de 2004.
Sin embargo, apenas el año pasado el Banco de México estructuró una plataforma que permite la transferencia electrónica de pagos, entre esta institución y la banca, de una manera más eficiente y segura.
El SPEI es la herramienta que utiliza el cliente de una institución bancaria para acceder a su cuenta vía Internet y realizar un pago o transferencia.
De acuerdo con Ricardo Medina Álvarez, director de Sistemas Operativos y de Pagos del Banco de México, el beneficio principal es que permite transferir recursos por cualquier cantidad de dinero, prácticamente en tiempo real, y a clientes de otros bancos, en forma “segura y ágil”.
Diariamente los usuarios realizan 120 mil operaciones por conducto del SPEI y en días pico llegan hasta 200 mil; sin embargo, el sistema puede soportar entre millón y medio y dos millones de operaciones sin problema.
El experto destaca que el Banco de México opera directamente la infraestructura del SPEI, blindada contra hackers y ataques cibernéticos; por ello, existe la garantía de que las transferencias se realizan a través de canales seguros.
Medina Álvarez detalla que por cada una de las transacciones procesadas por el Banco de México, se les cobra a los bancos 50 centavos de peso, lo cual posibilita cargar a los clientes comisiones bajas.
El Banco de México –añade– busca alentar a la población para que disminuya el uso de medios de pago como el cheque o el efectivo “que representan un mayor riesgo y costos indirectos”.
El directivo de la institución señala que desde septiembre de 2007 los bancos instrumentan procedimientos para tener una mejor comunicación con sus clientes y avisarles puntualmente el momento en el que la transferencia ha sido aceptada.
Con ello, los usuarios pueden comprobar la rapidez del banco y tener un control más eficaz de sus operaciones al conocer la hora precisa en que la transferencia fue aceptada.
Finalmente señala que, pese a que hay personas que no hacen uso de este servicio por carecer de una computadora conectada a la internet, el Banco de México trabaja junto con los bancos para que en un futuro las transferencias electrónicas en tiempo real puedan efectuarse por medio del celular, al que muchas más personas tienen acceso.
Mexico 02:29 AM | Mexico Travel
September 06, 2007
Cuando ella gana más que él
La sociedad se encuentra en continuo cambio, de eso no cabe la menor duda. Las tradiciones mutan y los roles se transforman. Poco a poco las mujeres van consiguiendo la igualdad en casi todos los aspectos socioeconómicos, pero... ¿y si ella gana más que él?
Algunos se muestran reticentes y otros tan sólo disfrutan de poder disponer de una economía familiar más holgada. El caso es que hay ocasiones cada vez más en las que las féminas ganan más que sus parejas, ¿despertará este hecho muchas envidias?.
Mexico 01:29 PM | Mexico Travel