Cozumel News March 18, 2014

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Cozumel News March 18, 2014: Happy belated St. Patrick’s Day, my Irish readers! Today in Cozumel News March 18, 2014, we announce the 8th annual Cozumel Handicraft Competition, Cozumel’s participation in the National Literacy Campaign, Cozumel Hosting 2014 Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Summit in 2015, Lime and Chili Prices to Start Dropping, Rumors of Aqua Taxis starting in April, Beautiful Eagle Ray Killed for Tail, Driving Sports Tourism to Cozumel, and the Rotary Club Celebrates their 109 year Anniversary.

8th Annual Cozumel Handicraft Competition (Art Contest)

The Department of Economic Development launched the call to take part in the VIII Municipal Handicraft Competition “Magical Hands Caribbean 2014.”

In a bulletin issued by the City, the head of the agency, Cota Manuel Becerra, said that from March 14^th to April 14^th local artisans may register at the office of Economic Development, at Plaza del Sol. He explained that all artisans residing in Cozumel are eligible and may submit up to 3 pieces of art. Contestants must present recent works that have not participated in any other competition.

The entries will be judged in a closed door session on the 15^th and the awards will be presented on April 16th.

He stressed that this event is important in the development strategy of creating employment through the local work of artisans, an action that has a direct impact in terms of family income, reduction of unemployment, and the fostering of creativity in this sector.

Cozumel participating in National Literacy Campaign

I read in El Semanario that the Federal Government of Mexico launched a national Literacy Campaign in March. As in all of Mexico, Cozumel is to have started participation in the literacy campaign this month. The goal for the island is to get 1,600 people to learn to read and write.

José Luis Fortis Norato, Coordinator of INEEA, stated that in Quintana Roo and Cozumel the work has already started to meet the expected results. He explained that the goal in Cozumel is to have the participation of 1600 people over the next five years. The literacy campaign nationwide will use high school and college students to work directly with people who want to become literate; the participation of youth is vital to the success of the campaign. It seems some 220 general and public service employees of the city have been identified as having literacy problem and will be encouraged to take part in the program.

Cozumel will host FCCA Summit

After announcing last week that Cozumel will host the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Summit 2015, the president of the Local Business Enterprise Coordinating Board (JCE), Demita Delille Cabrera, mentioned that Cozumel must remain competitive, not only in the field of cruises, but also in the field of weddings on the beaches, where the Riviera Maya is grabbing more of the boom. Cozumel must renew efforts to offer more attractive weddings and capture this market that has been abandoned. All said, Cozumel must remain competitive in all tourist markets.

Lime and Chili Prices to Start Dropping

Union leaders of the Fruit and Vegetable Distributors of Cozumel announced a few days ago that there will be a decrease in the price of limes and Habanero Chile in the next few weeks.

Limes are selling between 45 to 80 pesos per kilogram compared to 8 to 14 pesos a few months ago. In comparison, Habanero Chile has increased 50%, selling for 90 pesos per kilogram (previously sold for 35 and 40 pesos).

One article stated that the chile did not have as big an impact as the limes, because consumers merely substituted other chiles such as Serrano.

They stated the citrus could not be substituted, which I could not understand, vinegar works great. I think consumers must agree with me as in today’s news it was reported that lime sales are very low. One supermarket reported the sale of 180-200 kilo of limes per day compared to 300-400 kilo of limes per day a year ago.

Rumors that Acuataxis will start in April

Although not official, there is talk that the acuataxi service designated for crew members and cruise passengers is to start soon. It has been reported that taxi drivers on the island of Cozumel have received information that aqua taxis will start operating in April.

A taxi union member revealed that through talks with ship crew members, they learned that in a couple of weeks the water taxis will be a reality. However, the local Port Authority has made no official announcement nor released information on the subject.

The informant, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said he was not the only driver who has received this information from ship crew members. They have been told that cruise ships are already promoting the service onboard. They will be charging five dollars for crew members and ten dollars for passengers. (In articles I read when the water taxis were first announced, they quoted one dollar fares.)

The startup of this service represents a significant drop in income of taxi drivers on the island of Cozumel

Beautiful Eagle Ray Killed for Tail

A dead stingray (Eagle species) was found at kilometer 4.5 of the north hotel zone at 11 am yesterday. The location was close to the entrance to Buccanos. Poachers apparently captured him to cut off his tail. A tourist spotted a group of local people and alleged that they had captured a manta ray and cut off the tail with a knife. When they detected a presence, the fishermen fled the scene and left the specimen abandoned in a rocky area.

Tourists and local people on the scene reported the facts to the emergency number 066. A Taxi driver took these photographs to document the crime. Witnesses say that the beautiful ray weighed between 60 to 80 kilograms. Ecology staff went to the place, but could not located those responsible. Allegations were made public through social networks. Eliot Reyes Novelo, Director of Environment and Ecology, said that there is no crime to prosecute because it is not a species protected by environmental laws.

Driving Sports Tourism to Cozumel

A statement issued by City Hall reported that the City Government has taken various actions to promote Cozumel as a destination for sports tourism. The most recent negotiations were with Laura K. Benton Synowic, President of Alpine Cycle Connection, and a company that specializes in sporting events.

The Director of Tourism, Juan González Castelán said that during the meeting Laura Benton, showed interest in promoting and encouraging a cycling race in Cozumel for the month of November, which is expected to have an approximate thousand cyclists, both national and international.

The Alpine Cycle Connection, has 20 years experience providing marketing support, transportation and distribution of cycling events in the United States, such as “Bike Virginia Tour”, “109 º West Bike Tour”, “Ride the Rockies”, “Gran Fondo Hincapie “, “Climate Rides”, among other competitions..

The official stressed that it is expected that in 2014 and in the next five years Alpine Cycle Connection, will promote cycling events, designating Cozumel as a destination for sports tourism and an island for sports.

Rotary Club Celebrates 109 years/ 33 years in Cozumel

On Sunday, March 16^th, there was a celebration to recognize the 109 anniversary of Rotary International. Special recognition was given to the Rotary Group that is celebrating 33 years working in Cozumel. Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martin acknowledged members of this club and thanked their joint efforts with the government to take action on behalf of the community and families who need it most.

During a dinner given by the organization, the Mayor stressed that it has always been an honor to take part in events organized by the Rotary family and even more when it comes to this important celebration.

He recognized the efforts they make for communities, actions that have benefited countless families at international and local levels, including the fight against diseases such as polio that has changed the lives of many people. Likewise, he thanked the efforts of civil society organizations on the island, “who selflessly devote their time, effort and resources to change lives and support the community.”