Ambassador Rishchynski cut the ribbon to a new consular office in Mazatlan on June 20^th. The Ambassador met with members of the Canadiancommunity as well as local government officials. The Consulate moved to larger facilities at Unit 41, La Marina Business & Life Center (Nuevo Mazatlan) to accommodate a growing number of Canadians in the area. In a separate ceremony, Rishchynski became the first Canadian Ambassador to receive a key to the city.

Ambassador Rishchynski receives key to Mazatlan from Mayor Higuera

“The Canadian government has been present in Mazatlan since 1986 through Honorary Consulates and Consular Officials. This year we are proud to celebrate 25 years in the city,” noted the Ambassador during his address. “This is a growing market … and I think Canadians will be coming with more and more regularity,” he later expressed.

Wendy Hardouin is the Consular Official currently based in Mazatlan. Over 3000 Canadians live in Mazatlan full-time and nearly one thousand more are temporary residents during the winter. The number of Canadian tourists has increased approximately 15% each year for the past several years.

Consul Wendy Hardouin at grand opening of new Consular Offices

Mazatlan’s relationship with Canada reaches new heights in 2011. February 25^th marked the first time a state Governor has officially met with Mazatlan’s Canadian residents. In April, Ambassador Rishchynski was a guest at an Inukshuk unveiling – a feat coordinated by university students inspired by the Vancouver Olympics. On this occasion, Mazatlan Mayor Alejandro Higuera Osuna presented the Ambassador with a key to the city. “… to be part of such an event is something I do on behalf of all Canadians…” said the diplomat during an interview. “…this is a city where we are always held in great esteem, where we receive the utmost in hospitality from local citizens, and one where Canadians give to the community which is something…that makes me extremely proud.”

“As Mexicans, we want to share with the world the unparalleled grandeur of the Mayan civilization,” he said during an announcement of the Maya World Program, launched June 21 with a countdown to Dec. 21, 2012, when the baktún ends.

The goal is to create a new experience that will attract the greatest possible number of tourists and increase the tourism potential of the region.

Read full article: Mayan Countdown to 2012 Spurs Mexican Tourism Industry

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -( June 7, 2011)- El Cid Senior Provincial Championships welcomed tennis players from across B.C. at Jericho Tennis Club on Saturday June 4th. 316 players over the age of 30 will compete through June 12^th. The Tennis BC sanctioned tournament is the first of six Canadian events sponsored by El Cid Real Estate – a developer of luxury resorts and communities in Mexico.

Tennis BC CEO Ryan Clark noted the event is key to obtaining national ranking points. Top players will gain seeding for the August Senior National Championships in Toronto, and possibly go on to the Senior World Championships. “El Cid is honored to sponsor the BC Senior Provincials,” said Jorge Gomez Fernandez, Sales Director for El Cid Real Estate. “The El Cid Golf and Country Club in Mazatlan often hosts players from B.C.; and many American and Canadian residents of our gated community are avid tennis players. So it is very exciting to support this important Tennis BC event.”

The social evening will take place at Jericho on June 8^th. It includes a Mexican themed dinner, a drink and live showing of the Bruins vs. Canucks hockey game. “There are many things to celebrate right now. The BC Senior Provincials are underway, the Canucks are in the Stanley Cup finals, and we have a sponsor that promotes Mexican lifestyles … so why not take advantage and have some fun with it,” said Lois Ker, Director of Events for Tennis B.C. Tickets for non-players are available at the tournament desk for $35.

El Cid will announce the additional tournament sponsorships early next week. The effort is part of the At Home in Mazatlan campaign supported by the Mexico Tourism Board since 2010. The campaign aims to promote recreational and retirement lifestyles in Mazatlan, Mexico. For information on tournaments hosted by El Cid in Mexico please visit www.athomeinmazatlan.com

About Mazatlan:

Mazatlan is located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Founded in the 16^th Century, Mazatlan is Mexico’s colonial city on the beach. The city is divided into two main areas: Old Mazatlan and the Golden Zone, with a seven-mile coastal road between the two.

About El Cid Real Estate:

El Cid Real Estate is a division of El Cid Resorts – a collection of Mexican resorts offering hospitality immersed in tradition. The resorts are located in Mazatlan, Cancun and Cozumel. El Cid Mazatlan owns and operates four hotels, a 27-hole championship golf course, marina, and a gated community. El Cid Real Estate currently offers property for hotel, villa and condominium development in Mazatlan and the Mayan Riviera. The company recently launched Andalucía– one-and two story homes in the largest community of American and Canadian residents in Mazatlan. El Cid Real Estate online: www.elcidrealestate.com Twitter @elcidrealestate,  Facebook El Cid Real Estate,  You Tube  El Cid Real Estate Channel

This writer was recently at the Canadian Real Estate  Investor Forum in Toronto this past March.  Philip McKernan, author and speaker at the forum advised against making real estate buying decisions based  solely on price. Later  in March, while in Vancouver, I heard Don Campbell, real estate educator and author,  say the same thing during an interview on Global T.V. (curiously he was also a speaker at the Toronto Forum).  Both were speaking to a trend taking place internationally as well as in Canada.

Mr. Kernan was specifically referring  to Canadians flocking to the U.S. looking for properties at rock-bottom prices and bank repos.  Mr. Campbell was responding to questions about the Vancouver market and the tendency of buyers to respond to mixed signals in the news about the right time to buy and the right time to sell. When buyers focus solely on price without considering other factors they risk being stuck with a property they do not personally enjoy and may be difficult to get a return on investment in the correct amount of time.

This reminded me of a couple who almost made the mistake of buying based on what seemed like an unbelievable opportunity.  Paul and Betty (names are changed to protect privacy) were recently looking for property in Mexico. Their plan was to buy a unit they could use part of the year, possibly rent part of the time, and resell in a few years with the intent of buying another unit. Paul and Betty had a clear budget set aside and were hoping to buy sooner than later.

Before traveling to their chosen destination to view properties they had seen several listings online though a reputable realtor. One of these listings was significantly below their budget , looked alright in pictures, was the right size and was located in a good area. After seeing the price, the couple basically stopped paying attention to all other listings. Their realtor said the property was a great value for the area, but strongly encouraged the couple to physically see  the unit as well as others before making an offer and putting down a deposit. 

Once they saw the actual unit, Paul and Betty thought the cheap property would be a great rental unit and liked the area, but noticed several features in the layout and kitchen that would not suit their lifestyle. It also required some work – not a lot- but more than they really wanted put into the property. The time and work it might require to resell the property at the right price was another question. They decided to take the realtor’s advice and look at other units – which were in their original price range.

In the end, the couple found a unit that was in their original price-rang and was a great value for that particular unit. Paul and Betty could see themselves thoroughly enjoying the recreational property (which they do), it had the potential to rent well, did not require much work, and had great investment potential.

Mr. Campbell noted that sometimes buyers will make a purchasing decision based on something as small (in terms of the amount required for a real estate investment) as $100 dollars – and stressed that if $100 dollars will make the difference of whether you can buy or not then maybe that person should not be buying at all. Mr. McKernan advised potential buyers should not be swept away by the frenzy of what others are doing. If you’ve done your homework, decided the kind of property you need and find that property at the right price – go for it; but don’t be blinded by the price as you may be missing out on a real investment opportunity.

Meeting with foreign residents

During his address, the governor thanked the crowd for living and believing in Mazatlan and Mexico.  He invited attendees to join the people of Mazatlan in an effort to double the number of foreign residents and quadruple the number of visitors to the city. During the meeting, the governor announced the following:

• Mazatlan’s local government is committed to serve visitors alongside the destination’s community of North American residents that represent an important part of the population.
• A local bilingual office will be specifically dedicated to assisting these residents in all matters of social, political and community affairs as an extension of the local government.
• A personal invitation was issued for a representative of this group to serve as part of his personal advisory board, as appointed by members within the community.

More than 9,000 US and Canadian citizens have made Mazatlan their permanent or seasonal home. Members of Mazatlan’s American community predominantly originate from California, Oregon and Washington; as well as Denver, Minessota, Arizona and Texas. The Canadian community predominantly originates from Alberta, British Columbia Saskatchewan and increasingly from Manitoba and Ontario.  The meeting shows how important and valued the North American community is to the destination as well as the community’s commitment to Mazatlan.

Among other events, Enrique Patron de Rueda will conduct the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra along with two choirs. During this unforgettable performance, 120 artists will be on stage for the crowning of the Floral Games Queen and the Clemencia Isaura Poetry Award Ceremony. Visitors will view the elaborate floats that travel the streets of Mazatlan during the Carnaval parade. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration and delight in the dancers that will perform along the longest boardwalk in Latin America wearing colorful costumes. Carnaval-goers will be amazed during the traditional Naval Battle – a grand festival of lights that will brighten the night sky along the coast.

Carnaval is the crowned jewel of ongoing cultural celebrations that make Mazatlan a unique destination. It is the city’s rich cultural heritage that makes it a preferred beach destination for Canadian travelers. Mazatlan is Mexico’s only colonial city by the beach and plays host to nearly 2 million visitors from all over the world annually. For last minute travel deals visit www.gomazatlan.com

According to iTravel2000, “… January saw an overall 3% increase of Canadian visitors [to Mexico].” The Canadian travel company credits the vast array of cultural features as one of the main draws. In addition, iTravel2000 mentions Canadian confidence in the present economic situation as a motivating factor. When asked why he chose Mazatlan as his preferred holiday destination Yehudi noted “… [Mazatlan] is so beautiful and sunny … it feels like home [and] the tourism infrastructure is superb…”

Mazatlan plays host to nearly 2 million visitors from all over the world annually, and that number has increased steadily for the past five years, according to Julio Birrueta, spokesperson for the Mazatlan Tourism Trust. He adds that many travelers return year after year for extended stays, with nearly 9,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens making this seaside destination their winter home. Visitors enjoy world-class cultural events throughout the year including February”s Air Show and the upcoming 113th annual Carnaval celebration.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon Declares 2011 the year of Mexican tourism; while Mexico’s Tourism Secretary praised national and international stakeholders at National Tourism Convention.

…take place on January 25th and 26th at the Hilton Hotel in Mexico City.  Featured guests and keynote speakers include, Mexican President …  2011 in Mexico City. This year’s event is the first to bring together national and international stakeholders in …

S&R to cover Mexico’s National Tourism Convention

Vancouver, B.C. – January 17, 2011- Lorena Ochoa, who retired from the LPGA as the number one female golfer in the world, will participate in the 6th Annual Estrella del Mar Charity Tournament on January 28 & 29, 2011, in Mazatlan. The tournament will take place at Estrella del Mar Golf & Beach Resort. The event is sponsored by the Lorena Ochoa Foundation, Flyers Team and the resort.

 “I did not retire from golf, I only retired from the LPGA,” Lorena stated at a Press Conference held at Estrella del Mar. “I play golf all

Press Conference

the time, and it is great to have more time to combine it with my charity work.”  Lorena expressed her excitement at learning she would play in Mazatlan, as she had heard wonderful stories from her mother who had often vacationed there in her youth.

 When asked what she would say to American and Canadian golf enthusiasts who hesitate to travel to Mazatlan, she responded that “…the golf course is in great shape…the atmosphere is very nice… the culture and history are wonderful. In my case I can set an example by coming here and showing people that we are happy and enjoying every day. We are inviting everybody to come here and see this beautiful place,” she concluded.

 The exhibition match will take on Friday January 28th at noon, versus Spaniard Azahara Muñoz. Lorena will offer a golf clinic on the morning of Saturday January 29^th. Both events are open to the public and will support charity organizations for children. The Weekend will conclude with an air show with Flyers Team pilots from the US and Mexico.