TOURISM UP 21 PERCENT Diario de Quintana Roo

Based on records for the first quarter of 2004, the National Institute of Immigration informs that the number of international tourists increased 21 percent compared to the same period last year. A total 2,845,987 visitors arrived in Quintana Roo between January and April -- 1,501,144 via air and the remainder by sea.

352,350 foreigners passed through Cancun airport immigration in the month of April, accounting for a 30 percent increase compared to last year. At the same time, Cozumel continues to be the number one port in Mexico with a count of 3,535,457 international visitors, including tourists, crewmembers, visiting Belizeans and illegal aliens.

The Institute informs that as of last month, there were 9,675 documented foreigners residing in Quintana Roo. So far this year, they have rejected 189 residency applications and have presented 6 complaints against persons presumably involved in trafficking aliens.

RED CROSS PROVIDING MORE SERVICES THANKS TO DONATION Diario de Quintana Roo

Cozumel’s Red Cross emergency services director informs that in two weeks the delegation will reactivate x-ray service to the community thanks to two locals residents who have brought in the monies and equipment need for an x-ray lab.

“Providing this service will be of great use to the community because these types of analyses are always needed and many of our citizens cannot afford the fees charged by clinics and private labs,” stated the director. He went on to explain that they have been unable to offer x-ray services for more than a year due to problems with their old equipment.

“Two citizens who have dedicated themselves to the wellbeing of the island provided the necessary financing and equipment needed to reactivate this service.” Both of these generous individuals have requested anonymity.

The director stated that the laboratory will be open daily and will provide services to the general public at a reasonable cost. He went on to say that the Red Cross would be receiving another important donation made by an unnamed U.S. entity that will include medicine, audiovisual equipment, and sonogram equipment.

REVIVING THE PAST Diario de Quintana Roo

The first stage of a long-term project aimed at rescuing the architectural vestiges of old Cozumel will begin this year thanks to the initiative of local architect Andrés Alberto Canul Novelo. In order to move the plan forward, all three levels of government and the local community need to provided financial support. Meanwhile, the project will begin with the support of the parks and museums foundation and 6 local photographers.

During an interview with the Diario, Canul Novelo explained that the project “An Inventory of Cozumel’s Building Legacy” is based on his investigation of the island’s oldest surviving buildings and monuments and a selection of those worth saving. He has identified a total of 73 monuments and structures, the majority of which are residential dwellings.

The architect’s primary objective is to publicly establish the architectural legacy of the island’s oldest structures in order to create a greater interest in conserving and refurbishing the remaining edifices. He added that a great number of the buildings were demolished or architecturally modified as a result of “a bad intervention”, leading to the disappearance of the image of old Cozumel. “ Happily the parks and museums foundation recognizes the cultural importance of this rescue and what it signifies for the island’s residents”, said Canul Novelo. “It is unfortunate, however, that there are no existing laws in our country to protect these kinds of historic landmarks.”

COZUMEL’S MARINEROS BASKETBALL TEAM SANCTIONED Diario de Quintana Roo

Although the formal announcement won’t come until the end of August, state basketball league officials have determined that the Cozumel Marineros team will be fined 25,000 pesos and given a one-year suspension.

The Marineros walked out of the state championship quarterfinals held in Campeche last weekend, which allowed the Campeche Bucaneros to move on to the semifinals. League president Jorge Gutiérrez Manzanero admitted that the Cozumel team left the championship in “bad standing”. Manzanero recounted that he was present during the game and that there had been a difference of opinion between Marineros coach Alberto Palomino and one of the referees, but “we assume that everyone is a professional”.

He also said that Bucanero Freddy Arcovedo will be fined 1,500 pesos and suspended for two games as punishment for his crafty aggression against Marinero Erick Ortiz. Moreover, Arcovedo will have to cover Ortiz’ medical expenses. “The attack was very sneaky and resulted in Ortiz’ teammate Markus Mason pushing Arcovedo with his chest,” explained Manzanero. “The president of the Marineros Alberto Marrufo González admitted that it was technically a bad decision to leave during the last quarter of the game because they were winning and had an excellent rhythm going.”

The interviewee added that the Marineros attitude exhibited a lack of respect for their fans and followers. “Thank God that the governor of Campeche didn’t come to the game.”

Marinero owner Marrufo González declared that he is ready at any time to accept whatever sanctions are imposed upon his team.

CONDOMINIUM CONSTRUCTION ALL THE RAGE Diario de Quintana Roo

Impresario Nassim Joaquín Ibarra informs that as a result of low occupancy rates in Cozumel hotels over the last several years, the “apartment industry” has been generated.

“Condominium investments have yielded excellent results in Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, and Cozumel, because capital is recuperated more quickly and you can avoid the problems that come with operating a hotel,” he explained.

Actually the island includes the Palmas Real, Las Brisas and El Cantil condominiums among others, as well as a number of projects in construction and several which have the necessary permits to begin building in the near future.

Hotel vs. Condominium

Joaquin Ibarra pointed out that plans are set to begin a new project this year named El Palmar with an investment of 10 million dollars. This residential development will consist of 56 luxury condominiums and is located near San Juan beach north of downtown San Miguel. “Condominium rules avoid all of the types of operating expenses associated with hotels, because each owner pays a monthly quota for service and maintenance,” he added. “Moreover, occupancy is guaranteed.”

2004: The Boom

Besides the El Palmar project, a number of other tourist residence developments are in the works for this year on the island.

Jesús Cambranes Lozano, municipal director of urban development and ecology, informs that “there is a marked tendency where each new project on the island attracts just that many more development investors for the next one”. “Na-Ha, Maria Luz, Turquesa and Residenciales Reef are some of the many new residential complexes in the works.

Construction in Order

The official pointed out that before beginning any condominium construction, the company must complete all of the paperwork and obtain the necessary permits. In addition, they must comply with the ecological norms established by POET that spell out the amount of land used by the construction, number of building stories, etc. “Plans that specify building facade, common areas, elevators, stairs, parking, pool, hallways and green areas must be presented prior to construction,” informed Cambranes Lozano. “They must also present internal rules and regulations supported by the civil code, that establish the formation of condominium owners’ association. This administrative group will be in charge of maintaining the building and grounds, as well as the responsibility of paying the federal zone taxes in cases where it is a beachfront property.”

Projects at the Door

The construction of four different residential complexes and/or condominiums will conclude this year, representing millions of investment dollars in local and foreign capital. One of the most important is that of impresario Richard McCoy of Desarrollo Inmobiliario Punta del Sol, who will invest a million dollars in the construction of 28 condo units on the island. McCoy plans on acquiring a beachfront location for his project.

Another complex is the aforementioned El Palmar which will be developed with an investment of 6 million dollars. Investors’ future plans call for an apartment complex that will be part of the Campo de Golf Rancho California. The El Palmar condos will be built on the site of the La Concha hotel, a construction that was abandoned after hurricane Gilbert caused extreme damage to the structure.

El Cantil
Located on Rafael E. Melgar next to Plaza Las Glorias, this is another one of those residential projects being prepared for this year. Construction began in November 2002 and they have actually finished one of the two buildings. This development is headed up by Condominios San Miguel, and is funded by local and U.S. capital. The original project, which included six 30-meter towers, was authorized during the administration of mayor Victor Vivas Gonzalez, while city hall actually only approved the building of one tower with diminished height.

Residencial Reef
The Meliá group is building, or rather converting, one of its hotels into the Residencial Reef, consisting of 34,000 square meters at kilometer 13.5 on the south coast highway.

LOCALS KEEPING COOL AT PUBLIC BEACHES Por Esto! De Quintana Roo

The intense heat resulting from the high temperatures prevailing on the island has motivated Cozumeleños to head i ndroves to the public beaches. The rising heat index is to blame for the throngs of islanders found at every popular public beach along the around the island. Particlarly noticeable is the absence of street vendors normally present on weekends who apparently decided to take a holiday from the intense rays of the sun.

Daniel Alvarez Villanueva, civil protection director, indicated that he anticipates tropical air coming into the Golf of Mexico and the Carribean in the coming week, bringing cloudy skies and possible light rain, with warm termperatures during the day.

CONSUMER GROUP KEEPING GRADUATION COSTS DOWN Por Esto! De Quintana Roo

The Cozumel office of Mexico’s consumer protection organization inspected various local fabric and shoe stores, with the objective of ensuring that these kinds of establishments don’t raise the prices on ítems commonly purchased for commencement ceremonies.

The chief of the Cozumel’s service unit, Ramiro Vélez Marino, indicated that they had dedicated themselves to verifying that prices on material, accessories, dresses, and shoes, among other items, are publicly displayed and have not been raised before upcoming graduation ceremonies for primary, secondary and high schools.

Vélez Marino went on to say that all grocery stores, fresh fish vendors and other types of shops that offer beach-related products, are on notice that they will be regularly inspected against customer abuses or violation of consumer guarantees. At the same time he mentioned that they have implemented operatives that oversee prices in the area of tourism, such as rental agencies, hotels, and time shares, among others, as well as the supermarkets, restaurants, etc., that serve the island’s general population.