RIVIERA NAYARIT ASSURES SPECTACULAR NATURE, SUPERB SERVICE AND WONDERFUL BEACHES THROUGH EXTENSIVE PROGRAMS FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TOURISM TRAINING

The Mexican State of Nayarit and its vacation destination, Riviera Nayarit, have a strong social commitment to their visitors, their community of residents, and their natural environment. This commitment is expressed through programs to protect the beaches, flora and fauna; to preserve indigenous Huichol culture and art; and to support local communities through training the people of Nayarit for jobs in tourism, an increasingly important sector of the economy. This is what makes Riviera Nayarit such a special place to visit, now and in the future.

As Riviera Nayarit continues to grow in popularity as an international tourism destination, protection of a matchless natural environment becomes more and more essential. Much of the destination’s 192 miles of Pacific Coastline beaches is still undeveloped. There are many federal, state and private programs dedicated to conserving the forests, mountains and beaches, as well as an exceptional variety of wildlife, including hundreds of species of birds as well as jaguars, turtles, whales and other sea life. The Marietta Islands just off the coast of Punta de Mita are a totally protected area, where day visitors have a unique opportunity to experience Nayarit’s natural splendors.

The Mexican government’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources, together with the National Water Commission, have strong programs that encompass 13 regions, 138 beaches and 10 federal departments to provide programs to maintain the cleanliness of the beaches, preserve the richness and variety of native species, and protect the coastline from erosion and storms. Reflecting the success of these programs and a high level of coastal cleanliness, Riviera Nayarit has more Mexican Beach Certifications – the equivalent of Blue Beaches in the U.S. – than any region of Mexico.

Individual resorts also understand the importance of protecting the incomparable Nayarit environment and many provide opportunities for guests to participate in the conservation of flora and fauna of the region. Every new resort is built according to rigorous environmental protection requirements during the construction process and as a part of ongoing operations. The destination features several green resorts, from Hotel Paraiso Miramar in San Blas to the huge Mayan Palace in Nuevo Vallarta, winner of the prestigious and rigorous EarthCheck award for its tireless efforts to implement Green practices throughout the resort. In San Pancho, Hotel Costa Verde has developed a year-round program called the Turtle Protection Organization that enables visitors to get involved too.

The state of Nayarit has four indigenous peoples who still live their traditional lifestyles. The best known are the Huichols. The Huichol Center for Cultural Survival has programs to generate economic self-sufficiency, educational enhancement, sustainable agriculture, medical assistance, aid to tribal leaders and medical practitioners, and a data base of cultural information. In addition, its Tanama Gallery provides a location for visitors to see and purchase the distinctively beautiful Huichol art. Visitors are discouraged from visiting the indigenous communities except for special one day tours to specific communities.

Reinforcing the importance and value of tourism to the region, the Banderas Bay Technological University in Nayarit was founded to educate and train the Nayarit community, providing the necessary knowledge and skills needed for jobs in the tourism sector as well as renewable energy and environmental protection. Tourism today provides 25% of direct and indirect jobs in Nayarit.

“We launched Riviera Nayarit in 2007 with a long term vision of making this one of the finest destinations in the world,” said Marc Murphy, general manager of the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This vision encompasses a love and dedication for the distinctive elements of our region that distinguish it from all other places. These include our abundant natural environments – beaches, forests, mangroves, turtles, whales and 80 percent of North America’s birds that migrate here each year. We still have a strong community of indigenous Huichols who share their traditional art with our visitors. Finally, because a visitor’s best and most lasting impression of Nayarit comes from interaction with our people, we ensure that the interaction is a memorable and positive one, through adequate job training and instilling among our residents the pride and understanding of the importance of tourism to the destination.”

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About Riviera NayaritMexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. Riviera Nayarit is recognized as a “Virtuoso Preferred Destination.” The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns. For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit's Fan Page on Facebook.