Cozumel News May 4, 2014

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Cozumel News May 4^th, 2014: Happy Birthday Cozumel! Cozumel was discovered on May 3^rd, 1518, she is 496 years young! There will be a special Mass on Monday May 5^th, Also in this issue an update on the boardwalk remodeling project, Real Estate Leaders get together, and The Cozumel Coupon Book is back in the news.

Cozumel was Discovered 496 years ago!

In 1517 Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, conqueror and colonizer of the island of Cuba, entrusted Juan de Grijalva y Cuellar with the task of exploring the Yucatán Coast. The name of Diego Velázquez is almost unknown to many in Cozumel, but his decision to explore the Yucatán Peninsula, which the Spaniards named Isla Rica for thinking that it was an island; ultimately led to the discovery of Cuzamil, land of swallows.

On May 3rd, 1518, the explorers found the island of Cozumel. Finally on May 6 Grijalva landed and took possession of the land on behalf of the Spanish Catholic Kings in a Mayan building that was located in what is now the northern end of the boardwalk in front of the public beach “Las Casitas”.

After observing an indigenous ritual ceremony, Grijalva ordered that an altar be prepared and a Mass Service be officiated by Father Juan Diaz. This was the first documented Catholic ceremony in Mexico. In that place today stands a replica of a pyramid with figures of a Mayan priest, a Spanish priest, a woman and a Mayan child, all under the gaze of Juan de Grijalva. The statues are life-size. This site is known as the Monument to the Two Cultures and the first stone was laid on September 13, 2006.

To celebrate the anniversary of the first Mass held in Cozumel (and all of Mexico), a Santa Misa (Catholic Mass) will be held on Monday May 5th at 7 p.m. Monseñor Pedro Pablo Elizondo (Chetumal) and our own Cozumel Catholic Priests will officiate across from “Las Casitas” on the site of the very first mass.

Boardwalk Remodeling to start July

As we previously reported, the remodeling of the boardwalk or Malecon (Waterfront / Rafael E. Melgar Avenue) is expected to start this July. This is totally separate than the Seawall project to bring the sand back to the beaches downtown.

This project is to modernize and renovate the area between 11 Avenue and the Airport road, including the Benito Juárez Park. The articles in the local newspapers mentioned new lighting, storefronts and making the park grounds all one level with careful consideration to preserve the historical monuments, public clock and Father of the Americas Memorial.

There is hope that the construction is done during the slow tourist season and be completed by the end of this December or the beginning of January 2015.It all still depends on the release of funds that will be awarded through the Ministry of Finance and Planning, which is headed by Juan Paul William. Building owners are being encouraged to help this happen by joining the project and remodeling their storefronts.

Members of the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) held a meeting in Cozumel on Friday, May 2^nd, to exchange ideas and coexistence with professionals in their field from the United States. 125 real estate agents from the state of Texas (United States), were greeted by Javier Villalobos Castañeda, President of AMPI Cozumel. The Real Estate Agents arrived on a cruise ship. Cozumel was one of seven tourist destinations on their itinerary. There is a 40 year old relationship between Cozumel AMPI and the Texas Association of Realtors since Cozumel is an important market for enthusiast, of diving, fishing, and golf. Cozumel offers benefits and advantages in property market development and retirement residences. Also attending were the Presidents of AMPI Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, plus some developers of the Riviera Maya.

Cozumel Coupons Back in the News

We first reported details of this project back in January. This week, it was back in the news.The restaurant industry in Cozumel seeks to promote discounts to encourage the arrival of tourism from Playa del Carmen. Damian Miranda Morales, President of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Food Industry (Canirac), said that travel to the island could be made more attractive by offering discounts. They are encouraging Canirac partners to offer discounts to visitors arriving by sea from Playa del Carmen in the form of restaurant discount coupons for the tourists. He said you have to let the tourists know that the savings they will get from the coupons at restaurants and shops will offset the cost of transportation to visit the island. Currently, transportation from Playa del Carmen costs between $162 and $163 pesos.

In January, Fernando Tena Luis Amaya, Director of Tourism, released the draft coupon book to be called “Cozumel Passport.” The book will cost tourists $250 pesos and has coupons for discounts on both sea transportation services (Passenger and Vehicle Ferry) and cultural and commercial establishments.