Cozumel News April 30th, 2015

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Cozumel News April 30^th, 2015: Today is El Día Del Niño in Mexico, Cozumel to Celebrate Labor Day May 1^st, Mexico June Elections, Cozumel Benito Juárez Park Progress, A Sheraton Complex in Cozumel, Cozumel to host 2nd FINA High Diving World Cup, Poles Installed in Entrances to Cozumel Bike Paths, The Cozumel Women’s Breakfast Group, Aurita’s Corner, and Cozumel Events, May 2015.

Happy Children’s Day Mexico 2015!

Children’s Day (El Día Del Niño) is celebrated as a tribute to children in Mexico on April 30. Children’s Day has been celebrated annually in Mexico since 1925. Children are recognized as an important part of society so the day focuses on the importance of loving, accepting and appreciating children. Schools host special events inviting parents to celebrate and share Children’s Day with students. Parties are held and children take part in activities like face painting, story telling, art workshops, and plays. Be certain to congratulate the children today with, “Feliz Día Del Niño !”

Cozumel to Celebrate Labor Day May 1^st

Labor Day (Día del Trabajo), also known as May Day (Primero de Mayo), is a public holiday in Mexico on May 1. Labor Day is a federal public holiday in Mexico. Banks, schools, government offices and many businesses are closed. People intending on travelling via public transport in Mexico should check with public transit authorities on any timetable or route changes.

The Constitution of 1917 instigated significant social reforms to labor laws. According to some sources, a Labor Day parade was held in Mexico as early as 1913, but the holiday was first officially commemorated on May 1, 1923.

Labor Day parades, rallies or demonstrations often feature large crowds holding banners to promote workers’ rights in the main streets of major cities. Having the day off means people can either relax at home or spend time with family or friends. Leisure activities include going to the theatre or movies, or going out for coffee or a meal.

Mexico June Elections

I mentioned the lack of press conferences and government news these past few weeks that I jokingly attributed to an extended Spring break. I wrote to the press office and received a prompt response from Leonora León explaining that there is an “Electoral Ban” until June 7, the day Mexico holds legislative elections for Congress.

Benito Juárez Park Progress

According to Cozumel’s Director of Public Works, Humberto Suárez Castillo, Benito Juarez Park will be completed on time. All the construction will be finished by the end of May, with the exception of a few details that might need to be retouched or completed after the Park opens.

A Sheraton Complex in Cozumel

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Inmobiliaria Punta Tormentos to introduce its Sheraton Complex to Cozumel. The Complex is expected to open in early 2018.

“Sheraton Cozumel Resort is a wonderful addition to the overall portfolio of resorts of the brand, and will serve as a meeting place for travelers in one of the most coveted destinations in Mexico,” said the Senior Vice President and head of operations for Latin America and Starwood Caribbean, Jorge Giannattasio.

He said that the new complex will be located nearly 10 kilometers from the city center and near the Cozumel airport and pier, which provides access to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. It will be on the seafront and have direct access to the coral reefs of the island; it will also have 120 rooms, of which six of them are suites.

Today, Starwood has a portfolio of 29 hotels in Mexico through eight of its nine-logo brands logo St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft.

The Sheraton Cozumel Resort is the fifth Starwood hotel signing in Mexico during the first quarter of this year.

“We are very pleased to continue our rapid expansion in Mexico, one of our fastest growing markets in Latin America, and are well positioned for continued growth across our portfolio of world-class brands,” stated Vice President of Acquisitions for Starwood Latin-American, Víctor Vázquez.

The Chihuahua Sheraton hotel is scheduled to open this year, followed by Westin Cozumel in 2016. Solace, a luxury hotel, will open in 2017, in Los Cabos. In addition, the four-star category will expand with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton in Puebla; Aloft Hermosillo; Aloft Coatzacoalcos; Aloft Tijuana and Poza Rica Aloft, all scheduled for opening in 2017.

Cozumel to host 2nd FINA High Diving World Cup

The 2nd FINA High Diving World Cup will be held in Cozumel May 8 through 10th. This is the first time that Mexico will host this competition. Although the social media has leaked images of the diving platforms to be built for the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Cup High Diving Competition, it is unknown when the construction will start. The platforms are to be built in the cargo ship pier of the island.

Rosa Elena Zapata Vázquez, Manager of the Municipal Pool of Cozumel, said there are no sports facilities for the practice of diving available on the island. The nearest town that does have this is Merida.

Juan Gonzalez Castelán, Director of Tourism on the island, announced that they have requested that the passenger Ferries display promotional videos of the event to attract people from the mainland. He said the event will also be advertised in the tourist information modules here and in Playa del Carmen. He said the platform could start building next week.

Later, Sports management personnel leaked information regarding the first day of competition, that on May 8, activities will start at one in the afternoon and that representing Mexico in the competition will be Jonathan Paredes, who got the bronze medal in the World Barcelona 2013, Jorge Ferzulli and Sergio Guzman.

Poles Installed in Entrances to Cozumel Bike Paths

This past weekend poles were placed at the bike path entrances located at Santa Cecilia and Punta Sur, to block the passage of cars and motorcycles. Two years after the construction of the 22-meter bike path, there have been some motorcyclists who ignore the signs and invade the road intended for cyclists.

Since 2009, Cozumel has been positioned as a sports destination of international competitions such as the Ford Ironman, the MetLife Ironman 70.3 race Gran Fondo and the World Championship Triathlon ITU. The safety of athletes who arrive months before these events to train is very important.

On November 4, 2012, Felipe Calderon inaugurated the perimeter road that included the bike path from south coast to Santa Cecilia, an investment of more than 186 million pesos for expansion and modernization.

The Cozumel Women’s Breakfast Group

For the summer months, Women’s Breakfast will meet at La Candela, Wednesday’s at 9 a.m. They can handle a large or small group without any notice. .La Candela is located on Avenida 5 on the Corner of Calle 6 near San Miguel Clinic.

If you, as a group, decide you would like to go somewhere else, just let me know and I will send out the notice to everyone. If you have a better idea, I am all ears. It is up to you!

Have a great summer and enjoy your breakfast! Do not forget, if you have not signed up for the new email list and you would like to be included please do so at cozumelwomensbreakfast@gmail.com.

This is a great place to network and exchange information! All Women are welcome to join us, even if you are just visiting our beautiful Island!

Aurita’s Corner: Writers Wanted for The Cozumel Sun

Due to personal restrictions, I will be publishing The Cozumel Sun Weekly. However, if something major breaks in the news, I will do my best to put out a special edition. As always, I announce new editions on our Facebook pages (The Cozumel Sun Group, Cozumel Sun, The Cozumel Sun Page, and our Associate, Cozumel Tours by Cab).

I want to remind readers that you are welcome to turn in relevant articles about living in Cozumel, travel, diving, snorkeling, and dining out, anything of interest. I am also looking for assistance either part time or full time. I am making plans to return to the United States either late this year or the beginning of 2016 to have my hip replaced and health check up for myself and other family members. I am looking for someone to take over The Cozumel Sun. either temporarily or permanently. If you are interested, please contact me!