Infographic: What Are the Most Congested Roads and Delayed Airports During the Holidays?

Online deal website Cheap Sally has released a travel inforgraphic displaying the most congested roads and delayed airports during the holidays. Knowing the most congested transportation methods can help travelers decide what airports to fly out of or connect through. It's also possible to decide whether taking the train would be a better option than driving. If you're already traveling for work, at least knowing these travel facts may help make your holiday travel a bit smoother.

Infographic: Flying with Presents - What Items to Not Place in Checked Baggage

With the holidays fast approaching, here's a travel infographic for business travelers advising what items to not place in your checked bags or luggage. The items are divided into valuables, critical item, fragile items, and perishables. If your are planning on bringing presents back from your business travel, take a look at the packing advice below.

Travel Questions Answered by an Airline Gate Agent

Airfarewatchdog asked an airline gate agent questions about their job and advice for travelers.

One of the questions that travelers always want to know the answer to is "Is it true that you can upgrade people at your own whim? Is it important to dress nicely if we want a free upgrade?":

On an oversold flight, we can definitely move someone up to first class, and yes, the better dressed you are, the more likely you are to nab that seat. I am not going to put someone wearing flip flops up front with our best customers. It also pays to be courteous, to smile, and to be patient. I would rather give the better seat to someone who makes my life easier.

Read more of the answer and other travel questions asked at the Huffington Post.

International Law Firm Expands to Mexico

From MarketWatch -

The international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP announced today the addition of four attorneys, including shareholders Luis Octavio Nunez and Daniel Saltzberg Koris, to its newly established and rapidly expanding office in Mexico City.

Mexico Makes Lonely Planet's 2012 "Best in Travel Readers’ Choice Award"

Every year, Lonely Planet picks the best in travel for the coming year. For the first time, readers had a hand in picking the winner and after many nominations for cities and countries, readers casted over 3000 votes for the finalists. For Lonely Planet's 2012 Readers' Choice for the top 10 countries, Mexico made the list!

Picture credit: Lonely Planet

Is Mexico City One of the World's Most Underrated Cities?

This blog post detailing Mexico City as an underappreciated city comes from a blogger who loves to travel and write (501 Places). He writes upon a few places that travelers may want to consider visiting with their time in Mexico City.

Photo credit: IASA

Hotels in Mexico City for Business Travel

Starwood Hotels Offers Great Benefits on Hotels in Mexico City for Business Travel!
• Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel and Towers: Paseo de la Reforma 325 Col. Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City, DF, MX, 06500
• The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City: Javier Barros Sierra 540 , Lomas Santa Fe, Mexico City, DF, MX, 01219
• W Mexico City: Campos Eliseos 252, Chapultepec, Polanco, Mexico City, DF, MX, 11560
• The St. Regis Mexico City: Paseo de la Reforma 439, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Mexico City, DF, MX, 06500

SeatGuru Unveils Seatmap for New Dreamliner 787

Seatguru is a site that has guidance on what are each aircraft's best and worst seats, amenities, key features, and seat pitch and seat width details. The newly flown Dreamliner 787 already has a seatmap on the site.

Picture credit: SeatGuru

Air Travel Test Ride: The New Dreamliner 787

USA Today has the scoop on what it was like to fly on the new 787 plane. The flight was on All Nippon Airways and there a quite a few pictures demonstrating the new amenities of this dreamliner from more ambient lighting to larger windows.

Photo credit: USA Today

Meetings Account for a Large Portion of Tourism to Mexico

After a study commissioned by the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, it was found that meetings hold 18 percent of Mexico's overall travel and tourism demand. The Mexico Tourism Board has reorganized the MICE industry (meetings, incentive travel or inventive tourism, conferences, and exhibitions or expositions) as a “top priority”.

The study, which looked at the impact the meetings industry had on the country’s overall economy, revealed that in 2010, MICE contributed 1.43 per cent to the country’s GDP, pumping more than US$18 billion into the national economy.

Read more from the Travel Blackboard about the effect of MICE on Mexico's tourism industry.

Photo credit: Travel Blackboard

Innovative Business Idea: Mexican Sports Team Managed by Its Fans

Without a coach or trainer, the Mexican soccer team of Murcielagos FC is entirely managed by its fans. What an interesting concept. Whenever a sports decision is to be made, the fans are the ones who vote on the outcome. Read more from Springwise about this management idea coming from Mexico.

Photo credit: Springwise

President Felipe Calderon Accepts Travel Award for Mexican Tourism Campaign

Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards honors hotels, destinations, airports and travel agencies, among others. This year, Mexico itself was an award winner in recognition for the Mexico Tourism Board's efforts to promote Mazatlan, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and the 2011 Mexico Travel Summit. "I am deeply committed to tourism," said President Calderon. "I am convinced that we have everything it takes to be in the top 5 tourism destinations in the world." Mexico is currently the 10th most visited country according to the World Tourism Organization.

Las Alcobas Business Hotel in Mexico City

Las Alcobas is a state of the art hotel in Mexico City featuring a variety of different business amenities. The hotel offers:

·        Wireless high-speed internet in all rooms and public spaces

·        A business center equipped with fax, scan, and color printer machines

·        A “Mi Seguna Casa” Program

·        Valet parking

·        Laundry and dry cleaning services

·        Private phone numbers available in rooms

·        Pre-arrival guest services and airport arrival assistance

·        House car available as transportation

Baja California as a Go-to Location For Businesses

This video centering on Baja California explains the increasing trend of businessmen traveling to Mexico for business (take a look at 7:15 of the video). For example, Baja provides a cost-effective alternative for production for San Diego companies nearsourcing their materials.

Playa Del Carmen Day Trip Suggestion

For business travelers staying in Playa del Carmen, Mexico - there's a beautiful exploration awaiting you just 10 minutes away (3 miles southwest of Playa del Carmen) at the Río Secreto caves, an underground river system. The tour includes wetsuits and the experience of observing natural history dating back millions of years as you hike and swim through a route with stalactites and stalagmites.

Travel time to Rio Secreto from nearby cities:
From Playa del Carmen to Río Secreto: 10 min.
From Cancun to Playa del Carmen: 1 hour 20 min.
From Cozumel to Playa del Carmen: 50 min.
From Tulum to Río Secreto: 1 hour.

Photo Credit: Rio Secreta

Tip for Transportation in Cancun, Mexico

Make your business travel to Cancun hassle-free and book your airport transportation ahead of time.

When commuting from the airport to your hotel, try to book transportation before your arrival or with a shuttle service at the airport. The airport has its own taxis that it regulates and these are the only taxis allowed to pick you up at the airport – meaning it’s rather expensive. Book ahead with a shuttle service and you can avoid this.
When you book with these shuttle services, it is possible to prepay transportation round-trip, which also saves you money.

Tips for Traveling to Mexico City

National Geographic has some tips and things to know for travelers to Mexico City:


Time Difference:

Mexico City is one hour behind U.S. eastern standard time.

Tips on Dressing in Mexico City:

“Dress in layers, as it’s cool in the mornings and hot in the middle of the day and the metro of course is boiling. Take a rain shell and umbrella for the summer months.” Marion Lloyd, freelance writer based in Mexico City. 

Tip on addresses and clear directions:

“When headed somewhere, to avoid getting lost, have [a written copy of] the name of the street and the esquina (cross street), as well as the colonia and, if possible, a nearby landmark.”—Rob Walker, director, Latinreport.

Mexico City Pictures

The Mexperience site has a wealth of information for leisure/business visitors to Mexico for leisure or even those planning to live here there.

Take a look at what you'll be visiting if you have a business trip to Mexico City.

Photo credit:Avenida Insurgentes 

Video of "The UFC Expects Big Success in Mexico"

For those who have an interest in the UFC, here's a MexicoToday video of "The UFC Expects Big Success in Mexico."

VIdeo: American Entrepreneurs Venture to Mexico for Business Opportunities

Two American entrepreneurs discuss setting up their business in Mexico, watch the video below:

Low Cost Mexican Airline Launches Service to Chicago

The Mexican low cost airline, Viva Aerbus, launched services between Chicago and the Mexican city, Monterrey. Service recently launched just this October and prices start from $125. The service aims to serve the growing relationship between the two cities in terms of commercial, tourism, cultural and entertainment ties.

FIve Endangered Bengal Tiger Cubs at the Vallarta Zoo

If you find yourself on the Pacific coast state of Jalisco, Mexico any time soon, visit the local Vallarta Zoo. Five endangered Bengal Tiger cubs were recently born in the area and now reside at the Zoologico de Vallarta. Find out more about the Vallarta Zoo and the birth of the endangered cubs from MexicoToday.

"Mexico Extends Tax Benefits to Maquiladoras, Social Groups"

In efforts to encourage job creation and boost the economy in Mexico, President Felipe Calderón signed an agreement "granting tax incentives to two key sectors of the economy: the maquiladora industry, and philanthropic and social organizations."

The benefits of this process are:

An unprecedented boost to infrastructure to reduce logistic costs
A regulatory reform to facilitate the creation and operation of firms
A tax simplification process to provide national industry with access to inputs at more competitive prices
The creation of the Mexican Foreign Trade Digital Window to enable firms to carry out their goods import, export and transport procedures at a single desk

Dressing for Business in Mexico

What are the clothes you end up wearing to business meetings? Each country has their own dress code and the business dress for Mexico is as follows:

• Dress as you would in Europe.
• Men should wear conservative, dark coloured suits.
• Women should wear business suits or conservative dresses.

Banco de Mexico Maintains an Interest Rate at 4.50 Percent

With the Mexican economy showing consistent growth, the bank of Mexico is holding its overnight interest rate at 4.50 percent.

What Are the Office Hours in Mexico?

When on business travel to Mexico or just visiting, it is worth noting that office hours in Mexico are generally from 8am to 6pm. The normal time for lunch can be taken somewhere between 1pm and 3 pm and last between 1 to 2 hours.

Photo credit: Reuters

Largest Brewery in Mexico Posts 33% Higher Profits

Grupo Modelo SAB, the brewer of Corona which owns over 60% of the Mexican beer market, has posted a 33% increase in profits for its third quarter. The increase can be attributed to higher prices and demand in Mexico along with the growth of the Mexican economy in the first half of the year.

Passport Travel Tip

A helpful passport travel tip for one of those "in case of emergency" situations is to leave your travel itinerary and passport information with a friend or relative in case you lose the originals. Another helpful tip is to make a copy of your travel documents and carry them in a separate location from the originals.

Mexico Removes Tariffs on US Produce

Mexican tariffs numbering 10 to 45 percent on U.S. agricultural products are being removed in exchange for the US re-establishing a cross-border trucking program with Mexico (a program with new safety standards).

The tariffs being removed were placed on potatoes, cherries, pears and 87 other U.S. products.
"I think it will be a positive," Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash said, "The reason why, is historically, Mexico has been our biggest trading partner."

Mexico Instates New Sugar Import Quota

Mexico, which is the world’s sixth-largest sugar producer, has decided to put into measure an import quote for the sweetener at 150,000 metric tons. The cause of this import quota stems from the possibility that domestic production may not meet demand.

Photo credit: American Public Radio

Book for Doing Business in Guanajuato, Mexico

For those doing business in Guanajuato, Mexico take a look at this 2011 guide written specifically for English speaking international business travelers.

The guide, which is available on Kindle, touches on these must know facts for doing business in Guanajuato.

• CLIMATE
• NATURAL DISASTERS
• WEATHER
• LANGUAGE
• TIME ZONE
• ALTITUDE
• POPULATION
• RELIGION
• MAJOR INDUSTRIES
• FOOD
• WATER
• CRIME
• BEGGING AND PANHANDLERS
• SHOPPING
• ELECTRICITY
• WIFI & COMPUTER CABLES
• BUSINESS HOURS
• ADDRESSES 

• OVERVIEW OF THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY IN MEXICO 

• CONVENTIONS AND TRADE SHOWS 

• DOING BUSINESS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER 

• PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 

• AIRPORT - BJX
• AIRLINES
• ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE CITIES
• IMMIGRATION
• CUSTOMS
• BAGGAGE ASSISTANCE
• RETURN TRIP FROM BJX AIRPORT 

• LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
• TAXI
• BUS
• RENTAL CARS 

• HOTELS 

• HOSPITALS 

• PHARMACIES 

• CURRENCY
• CURRENCY EXCHANGE – CASA DE CAMBIO
• BANKS
• ATM
• CREDIT CARDS 

• RESTAURANTS
• FAST FOOD
• COFFEE SHOPS
• BARS & NIGHTLIFE 

• CUSTOMS & BUSINESS PRACTICES
• CULTURAL MISUNDERSTANDING
• CREATING GREAT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
• GREETINGS
• MEETINGS
• HOW TO DRESS
• WHEN TO EAT
• ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
• TEQUILA
• TIPPING 

• TELEPHONE
• CALLING MEXICO FROM THE U.S.
• MAKING LOCAL CALL
• CALLING U.S. FROM MEXICO
• CALLING U.S. “800” NUMBERS FROM MEXICO

List of Great Restaurants in Mexico City

When traveling on business in Mexico here’s a list of great restaurants to try out in Mexico City:

Au Pied de Cochon

Campos Elíseos 218

Col. Chapultepec Polanco

52 55 5327 7756

Bakéa

Sierra Ventana 700-5

Col. Lomas de Chapultepec

52 55 5520 7472

El Cardenal

Palma 23

55 21 81 15-17

El Malayo

Plaza Rio de Janeiro 56

Col. Roma Norte

55 14 76 86

MP Taberna Bistro

Andrés Bello 10

Col. Chapultepec Polanco

52 55 5281 0592

Shu

Santa Fe 55

Col. Lomas de Santa Fe

52 55 5292 4834

Aeromexico to Launch New Route Between Guadalajara and Las Vegas

Those in Las Vegas, Nevada have another way to travel to Guadalajara, Mexico. Aeromexico has recently lanuched a flight between the two cities. Guadalajara has a repuation as the land of mariachis, tequila and "charros" (traditional horsemen from Mexico). If travelers act quickly, they can visit the Pan American Games which is hosted in Guadalajara through Oct. 31

"The flights, which operates out of Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport, will depart Thursday to Sunday at 2:35 PST and arrive in Mexico at 7:45 p.m. On the return, departure time is 11:50 a.m., getting in at 1:25 every Thursday to Sunday."

Expedia Awards Mexico Tourism Partners for Successful Partnerships

With substantial growth in bookings to Cancun and Riviera Maya, Expedia is looking to award its travel partners for the hard work they've put in to attract travelers to Mexico. The online travel company is holding a partner appreciation event for over 250 members of the local hospitality community. Lodging partners from across Cancun, Riviera Maya and Cozumel that took the top places in their respective markets for room nights booked on Expedia and Hotels.com sites in the first half of 2011 will be recognized by the Expedia executives.

Pablo Castro, the director of market management, Mexico & Central America, Expedia said,“We are very excited to celebrate the successes that these hotel partners have achieved through their participation in Expedia’s online travel marketplace...by capitalizing on Expedia’s unparalleled global reach, valuable insights and targeted marketing opportunities, these hotels have successfully extended their visibility and attracted new travelers to their properties, growing their bookings through Expedia’s channels as a result.”

Photo credit: GR Solaris Cancun & Spa

Among the award recipients are:
All-inclusive
• GR Solaris Cancun & Spa, Cancun
• Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda, Riviera Maya
• Sabor Cozumel Resort & Spa, Cozumel

European Plan
• Gran Melia Cancun, Cancun
• Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya

Mexico's Biggest Retailer Reports Profit Up in Third Quarter

Walmex or Wal-Mart de Mexico, Mexico's biggest retailer, is reporting a higher third-quarter profit driven by new store openings and aggressive promotions to encourage customer spending. The Mexican retailer reported a net profit of 4.824 billion pesos ($347 million) for the July-September period, an increase of 13.5 percent.

Riviera Maya Area Boasts More Spas Than Other Area in Mexico

Riviera Maya, an area well-known for its large scale all-inclusive resorts, has another draw to brag about - its vast number of destination spas. The Riviera Maya area, which is situated on the Caribbean coastline of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, has the most destination spas per square mile than anywhere else in Mexico. Popular cities that you have heard of in this area are: Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Tres Rios, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal. Brad Johnson reviews the best spas in Riviera Maya.

Picture credit: Banyan Tree Mayakoba Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Real Resorts in Mexico Offers New Winter Deals

Real Resorts in Mexico is offering winter savings deals for travel in Mexico from December 23rd through April 2012. These discounts apply to adult- only resorts in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Gran Caribe Real Cancun, and the Gran Porto Real Playa. To find out more about these exclusive deals check out Real Resort’s website!

Water Spa Treatment in Puerto Vallarta

Cuponismo is having a deal for Janzu, a type of water spa treatment in a shallow swimming pool, in Puerto Vallarta. If you have some time available during your travel, the treatment is supposed to de-stress you. The venue is Arbol del Yoga, which is located on the main avenue of Puerto Vallarta - Fco. Medina Ascencio Ave.

Tipping at Restaurants in Mexico

Straight from Mexico.com is advice on restaurant tipping in Mexico:

Before you tip in restaurants, bars, and even snack bars in large hotels, check your tab and see if a service charge has already been added to the total. Service charges are quite common. While you may want to tip an additional amount, it's best to know if the tip was already included in the bill.

Photo credit: Food2.com

November Holiday to Celebrate in Mexico

If you happen to be traveling in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd, you'll be sure to run into some festivities for the Day of the Dead or Dia de los muertos.

The Cheap-O-Air blog highlights how to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico:

While Americans are busy belly aching over eating too much candy after Halloween the previous night, traditional Mexicans are celebrating yet another grand festivity. Dating back to the ancient indigenous times, the festivity celebrates the souls of the dead. They believe they return each year to visit living relatives; to eat, drink and be merry, as though they were alive. This national holiday keeps with tradition by building private altars using sugar, skulls and items the dead once loved.

Picture credit: Pasajes

How Southwest Flies to Mexico

Currently, Southwest partners with Volaris (one of the main airlines in Mexico) to provide flights between the US and Mexico by connecting 58 Southwest cities to 6 different Volaris cities in Mexico. Southwest will launch more routes at a later date.

If you're a Southwest loyalist, it's worth it to check out what they have available for your business travels. Keep in mind that flights to certain Mexican cities don't operate daily, so check out the Southwest's Volaris section for more details.

Photo credit: SF Gate

Mexico Awarded a Seat on the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization, a United Nations body agency dealing tourism related questions, aims to promote the development of responsible, ‎sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Mexico was recently awarded a seat on the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). This action will give Mexico the ability to better boost their national tourism sector and encourage policies affecting the investment, development and competitiveness in the tourism industry. MexicoToday compiled a video explaining Mexico's addition to UNWTO below:

International Coffeehouse Starbucks Expands its Operations in Mexico

Starbucks continues to show signs of growth internationally and has even laid out a plan to double its expansion in Mexico. The brand currently has 300 stores and plans to double this number over the next five years - read more from Mexico Today about Starbucks in Mexico and the proposed expansion strategy.

Photo credit: MexicoToday

Opportunity for Business Travelers in the US - Southwest Airline Sales

From Mommy Points, a blogger who pays close attention to any extra points she can get, is a tip to check out Southwest for sales that your business traveler self may be able to take advantage of.

Southwest flies to the US locations in the map below. The airline carrier also partners with Volaris for flights to Mexico.

Photo credit: Southwest Airlines

Avis Awarded Supplier Excellence Title from Canadian Association

The international car rental agency Avis has received an award from the Canadian Bar Association. The association noted the company’s dedication and commitment to providing consistent outstanding rental experience to the members of CBA’s members for almost 15 years. It can be hard to find a good rental car agency, so it's great that the CBA found a company that continues to deliver on expectations when so many other agencies fall flat.

Expansion in Mexico Contributes to Growth within Mexico's Auto Industry

Mexico is the 7th largest automotive producer in the world with approximately 80 percent of vehicle assembly being produced for the export market. The company RECO, responsible for manufacturing bus bodywork, is planning a new expansion and upgrade of the RECO plant in Tultepe, Mexico. Take a look at Mexico Today for more information on the effect of this on Mexico's auto industry.

Innovative Mexican Architecture Firm Designs Underground Skyscraper for Mexico City

This idea from a Mexican architecture firm explores the idea of designing an underground skyscraper in place of a regular one in Mexico City - take a look at this innovative business design.

Picture credit: Wired UK

Smart Grid Market in Mexico has the Potential to Become $8.3 Billion by 2020

Mexico's smart grid market is projected to hit $8.3 Billion by 2020, read more from Solar Novus Today about the business opportunities in this market as well as background on the smart metering market.

Photo credit: northeast-group.com

New Flights Added Between Mexico and Chicago

The low cost Mexican airline VivaAerobus launched flight service between its hub in Monterrey, Mexico and Chicago’s Midway Airport this past Friday. The Chicago flights are scheduled to operate twice a week to match demand in the winter season, the airline will increase its schedule to fly three times a week.

“At VivaAerobus we are making great strides in our expansion into the US market, and with this new destination we now reach six cities. These actions help us solidify our offering and commitment to our users, servicing them with the best routes and the most affordable prices in the market,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, VivaAerobus CEO.

Picture credit: NYC Aviation 

Popular Cruise Line to Resume Stops in Mexico

Princess Cruises has added the two popular Mexican ports of Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta to their itinerary. A tentative date is set for one of the Mexican cruises to set sail in November 2012.

"We are happy to see this, and we'll continue to work with all cruise lines to increase their participation with all Mexican ports," stated Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete, chief operating officer of the Mexico Tourism Board.

Picture credit: AOL Travel News

Mexican Auto Production Breaks Previous Record

During this year's January-September period, Mexico's total automotive output surpassed 1.9 million units - an amount that hit a record level. Comparing the first eight months of this year with the same period last year, Mexico raised its total auto production by 14.7 percent. This percentage translates into 1.905 million units. Take a look at newKerala for additional details on Mexico's most important manufacturing sector.

Delta Airlines Adds New Bag Fees

If you've purchased tickets from Delta Air Lines as of Oct. 1, you will incur new fees for checked baggage on a number of routes. "For travel on or after Oct. 15, the airline now charges $40 for the second bag on flights between the U.S. or Canada and Central America, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Guyana or Haiti."

The Three Top Mexican Stocks?

Alpha, a website that provides actionable stock market opinion and analysis, lists the three top Mexican stocks and offers background on each stock.

• Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMAB)
• Telefonos de Mexico (TMX)
• Fomento Economico Mexicano (FMX)

The website also notes that Weiss Ratings reported that Mexico recently has shown to have a higher credit rating than the US.

"Microsoft Opens First Spanish-Language Technology Center in Mexico" via Mexico Today

Mexico Today shares additional information on Microsoft's latest move to open the first Spanish-language technology center in Mexico. Microsoft's Mexico technology center is located within the Microsoft building in Mexico City.

Picture credit: davipav.ontheroad.to

Nestlé Expands Coffee Business Operations in Mexico

Nestlé recently entered into an agreement with Mexico's National Institute of Forestry, Farming and Fishing Research and Mexican crop-technology-and-distribution company Agromod to expand its coffee operations in Mexico.


Nestlé Mexico's agreement details a $15 million plan to build the company's first coffee-propagation center in a coffee-producing country and locally build 30 million coffee plants by 2020.

Tourist Numbers to Mexico Are Up From 2010

Comparing the first eight month of 2011 to 201, Mexico has attracted 1.8 percent more visitors this year. The total number of foreign visitors to Mexico for 2011 15.2 million.

Numbers for the hotel front are up as well with Mexico's hotel occupancy in the 70 largest cities and beach resorts rising 3.2 percent in comparison to the same timeframe last year.

Picture credit: eHow

Nestlé Invests in Wind Energy in Mexico

The Swiss multinational Nestlé has announced its plans to invest in wind energy for its operations in Mexico.

Nestle will develop 14 wind farms across Mexico to meet 85 percent of its electricity requirements in Mexico utilizing wind energy.

The Latin American Wind Association (LAWEA) has revealed that Nestle is turning to wind power in Mexico as part of an investment of 60 million Swiss francs in sustainability projects in Mexico, aimed at cutting water consumption by 23% and energy use by 39% per tonne produced over the next five years.

Photo credit: ClimateChangeCorp

Mexico's International Trade Projected to Grow 70%

The "HSBC Foreign Trade Connections" report predicts that in the long term, Mexico's international trade flows will grow to 70% by the end of 2025.

Mexico's main trading partners have been the U.S., China, Canada, South Korea and Germany. Continued growth is projected for trade volumes over the next 15 years.

GEEP and ProAmbi Sign a Partnership Agreement Within Mexico

GEEP (Global Electric Electronic Processing) and ProAmbi, based in Mexico City, have entered into a partnership agreement. GEEP utilizes recycling facilities using equipment for electronics processing and the management of IT and Telecom assets.

Mexican Coca Cola Bottler FEMSA Acquires Rival

FEMSA, which is known as the largest beverage company in Mexico, recently received the title of largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the world as of September 2011. Coke FEMSA acquired its smaller rival, the family-owned Tampico, with a deal to the tune of 9.3 billion pesos ($702 million). Tampico is a supplier of juice concentrates and sells in over 50 countries.

US and Mexico Trade Relationship

The US Embassy site (Mexico) offers those a quick look at key facts defining US and Mexico trade relations on Agricultural Trade, Bilateral Trade, and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Some facts you may already know, "Nearly 80% of Mexico’s agricultural exports go the U.S," whereas you may not have known that, "Mexico’s agricultural exports to the United States have expanded by nearly 9% per year, growing twice as fast as they did before NAFTA. At the same time, U.S. exports to Mexico have grown at nearly the same rate, reflecting the mutually beneficial outcomes NAFTA has provided to the agricultural sectors in both countries."

Tip: Extending the Life of Your Laptop

From the HuffingtonPost is an investment suggestion that could end up saving you (or your company) money and computer problems in the end. Keep in mind this laptop tip to extend the life of your laptop.

"Avoid overheating at all times. The lower the temperature of your laptop, the longer it will live. All of the repair shops we spoke with reiterated the importance of keeping the laptop's temperature low and agreed that overheating was a huge cause of laptop failure. Even a cheap $20 laptop cooling pad can help extend the life of your device."

Photo credit: HuffingtonPost

Mexico is Location of Microsoft's First Technology Center in Latin America

Latino Fox News - Microsoft has chosen Mexico City as its first technology center in Latin America. Close to 2,300 software developers will be trained for this location, which will have more than $600 Million worht of investment over the next couple of years. than $600 million in the country in the coming years, although without providing further details.

Photo source: GameGuru

"Mexico Economy to Grow 3.8% This Year, Banamex Survey Shows" via BusinessWeek

The Mexican economy continues to receive consistent, positive news - here's another forecast,"Mexico’s economy will grow 3.8 percent this year, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Citigroup Inc.’s Banamex unit."

Hotel Travel Tip: Leaving Belongings Behind in a Hotel

If it wasn't for this article by Frommers, I wouldn't have known that as a traveler - sometimes it's only up to me to check if I've left something valuable at a hotel.

"While some guests leave with hotel bedding, plenty of others forget to pack up valuable belongings. Hotel housekeepers find everything from bags of cash to electronics and jewelry left behind in hotel rooms and the hotel safes. These items are tagged, logged, and kept locked up for between 30 and 90 days, depending on the hotel and the item's value.

At a Westin property near Chicago, more valuable items are released to the staff member who reported them (typically housekeepers) if the items remain unclaimed for 90 days, according to Ed Bell, the Westin's director of housekeeping. Otherwise, those items are donated to charity.

Why can't the front desk easily reunite lost items with a guest? The Westin property has a strict privacy policy, which means employees cannot call guests who leave items behind, Bell says. Even if a frequent guest forgets something in the room, employees are restricted from contacting that guest, though items are returned upon check-in during the next stay.

"If it's not in the garbage can, it's not garbage," Bell says. "We even save socks and underwear; we don't take any chances."

Photo credit: tourism.vic.gov.au

International Law Firm Expands to Mexico City

Mexico City continues to attract more international companies as, "The international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP announced today the opening of a new office in Mexico City. The office, the firm's 33rd, will focus on providing legal services to international clients seeking to enter the Mexican and Latin American markets, as well as those with established businesses in the region." The nature of the business, advising clients wishing to expand their own businesses in Mexico, signifies that Mexico is continuing to build on its reputation as a country with huge growth potential.

Luxury Cruise Operator Expands to Mexico

American Safari Cruises, a Luxury soft-adventure operator, which primarily focuses on Alaska operations  is launching a cruise to Mexico for the 2012-13 winter season. The cruise to Mexico will sail on the cruise operator's newest and largest ship, Safari Endeavour.

USA Today Travel reports that "The weeklong "Baja's Bounty" Mexico sailings depart from La Paz, about 100 miles north of Cabo San Lucas. The Sea of Cortes itinerary adds a stop in the colonial city of Loreto, and includes calls in Isla Espíritu Santo, Isla Partida, Isla San Francisco, Isla Coyote and Isla San José."

Photo credit: USA Today Travel

"Intergraph® 2011 PP&M Mexico User Conference Begins in Mexico City"

"Intergraph® opens its fourth annual Intergraph 2011 PP&M Mexico users' technical conference today in Mexico City, bringing the country's top process, power and marine companies together for a day of informative sessions and networking among industry leaders. The event is sponsored by Intergraph's Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) division, which for 30 years has provided local resources to support engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies and owner operators executing projects and operating facilities in Mexico."

Read more about the engineering conference in Mexico from CAD CAM News.

"Mexican retro sneaker brand relaunches with free shoe exchange" via Springwise

"Panam — a Mexican sneaker company — have been producing their footwear since 1962, enjoying great popularity during the 1980s. However, as the sneaker market became filled with global brands such as Puma, Nike and Adidas, they were less widely distributed and more commonly found on street markets. Now, with retro fashion continuing to grow in popularity, Panam have seen an opportunity to revitalize the brand using a little free love."

Read more from Springwise about the marketing operations of the Mexican sneaker company.

Tip: Extending the Life of Your Laptop via Downloadable Cleaner

I have a colleague whose laptop desktop is cluttered with icons. I can't imagine what the rest of his computer looks like, and it's no wonder his laptop runs a bit slower than mine. Here's a helpful laptop tip from HuffingtonPost that can make your laptop the tool it should be instead of a hindrance to your workload.

Download CCleaner for Mac and PC. Every second you spend on your computer doing even simple things, the computer is working hard. That means it can get clogged with temporary files, history, cookies, etc. You can clean the computer and the registry with this very useful tool.

Video: Coca Cola Executive Talks About Mexico and Its Market Potential

In an interview with Mexico Today, Coca Cola CEO and Chairman Muhtar Kent speaks about Coca Cola doing business in Mexico. The Coca Cola company has been in Mexico for over 85 years. See what the CEO had to say of its #2 global market, the operations of the business, and the tremendous opportunities available in Mexico.

Video: UFC Champion Sees Opportunity for UFC in Mexico

"UFC bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz talks to MexicoToday about why he thinks Mexico is ready for mixed martial arts and the UFC."

Mexican Peso Up After Bernanke's Statement

Via Reuters - "Mexico's peso gained on Tuesday after the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve raised hopes of more economic stimulus." Read more about the peso and other Latin American currencies.

American Company Displays Confidence In Recruiting Mexican Engineer Graduates

Honeywell, an American company which provides consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for private consumers, major corporations, and government, looks to Mexico for top Mexican engineering graduates for its Aerospace Sector. Read more from Mexico Today on the beneficial relationship between Honeywell and Mexico and why Honeywell has continued to pour investment into the Mexican cities of Monterrey, Chihuahua and Mexicali over the years.

Photo credit: MexicoToday

5 Business Travel Apps You Should Download

The Cheap-O-Air blog lists 5 business travel apps that you should download to make your life easier.
What business traveler doesn't need advice to make their traveling process smoother?

• Whatsapp
• Expensify
• Skype
• BlackBerry Travel
• XECurrency Converter

Read the reasoning behind each business travel app here. 

President Calderon Forecasts 4% Growth for Mexico This Year

Mexican President Felipe Caledron is confident that Mexico's economy will experience a growth rate of more than 4% this year, compared to the 3.77% predicted by economists in a monthly central bank survey released today.

During a Mexico City conference today, the president stated, “We have a strong economy even though we face difficult international conditions.” Read more from Bloomberg Businessweek about the creation of jobs and the economy in Mexico.

Mexus Gold US Starts Producing Gold in Mexico

Mexus Gold, a mining company that aims to produce precious metals (including gold, silver and copper), has locations in the state of Sonora, Mexico and in the US states of Nevada and Alaska. From Market Watch is more information on Mexus Gold's current mining activities in Mexico:

"Mexus Gold US has begun producing gold at the Caborca, Sonora Mexico, placer mine site. The daily production operations were initiated on September 17, 2011. The preliminary operating cost estimates range from a high of $285.00 per ounce of gold to a low of $80.00 per ounce of gold depending on the grade of the ore."

Photo credit: Mexus Gold

Ricoh Americas Corporation and Heidelberg México Sign Contract

From What They Think - "Ricoh Americas Corporation and Heidelberg México today announced they have signed a contract to make Mexico the next market in the Americas to participate in the phased global rollout of the new Heidelberg and Ricoh strategic cooperation.

The relationship enables Heidelberg México to sell Ricoh’s latest color digital press, the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition, as part of Heidelberg’s total print solution."

Mexican Company Develops Sports Car to Rival Porsches and Corvettes

Mastretta is a Mexican auto maker and design studio that originated in Mexico City by Mexican industrial designer Daniel Mastrettain in 1987. The Mexican company has developed a high performance sports car branded the Mastretta MXT, which will sell for $58,000.

Mexico Today offers a deeper look at Masretta MXT and how the car will rival cars and rival sports cars currently on the market such as Porsches and Corvettes.

Photo credit: Mexico Today