After experiencing record-breaking summer numbers, Mexico’s twin-destination Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo predicts a busy winter season complete with new direct flights and promotional events.
After achieving a 16.4% increase in arrivals this past summer season, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s tourism office is hard at work to ensure that the positive trend continues through the end of the year and replicates in 2015.
A new nonstop Delta Airlines service from Los Angeles to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was announced on November 4th. The flight will begin operating on December 20th with five frequencies: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, transporting approximately 750 passengers to the destination on a weekly basis. Westjet initiated the winter season with a direct flight from Calgary operating Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until April 25, 2015. Sunwing Airlines added additional weekly flights departing from Winnipeg, Kelowna and Regina-Saskatoon beginning December 11 through April 2015. The Canadian airline also offers direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will begin its activity in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo during the 2015-2016 season with a total of five ships. Each ship will transport close to 3,000 passengers for a total of 15,000 tourists, a venture expected to impact the cities’ economy and add yet another connectivity option for international travelers. The Tourism Board has also been negotiating the destination’s integration to the Amazing Pacifico route, which includes the Mesoamerican countries of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.
From the 28th through the 30th of November, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo will be the setting for the second edition of Campus Yoga. The event will feature holistic therapies, music, a children’s program, and recognized national and international instructors like Rodney Yee and Alejandro Maldonado. The Surf Open Ixtapa is slated for December 12-14. More than 100 surfers from all over the world will participate in the tree-day event held at Playa Linda beach. Gary Linden, one of the first surf board makers and big wave surfers will be in attendance, along with former World Champion, Corky Carroll. Music enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the 12th International ZGuitarFest 2015 (March 6-15, 2015), a week of beach-front live music. Artists from Pakistan, Argentina, Australia, Cuba, Switzerland, Spain, United States, and Canada will be featured. This is a non-profit community sponsored festival; all organizers are volunteers and the musicians perform for free. A percentage of proceeds goes to support local arts and culture projects in the community. Film buffs can participate in Mexico’s first festival in partnership with the Madrid Fashion Film. The first phase of the Mexico Fashion Film will glamorously kick off in Zihuatanejo on November 20th with an outdoor showing and a luxury event featuring beats by Goldroom, champagne and an impressive guest list.
