communiquest incentive travel digest - june 2016 (semimonthly)
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"Breaking News, Travel Tips, and More for the M&E Industry"TRANSCRIPT
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About Us
Our Vision: Associates: Preserve our company as the best place to work, so that our multicultural staff
can thrive professionally and thus always perform their best.
Customers: To offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds all expectations.
Partners: To continually consolidate our network of honest and successful partners.
Revenue: To maximize the investment of our shareholders & help them gain good dividends.
Planet: By means of our hard work instill in others the responsible management of resources.
Our Mission: To serve our customers supported on international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC, thus ensuring
100% satisfaction to groups, conventions, incentives and special events customers. We create
memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees visiting each and every one of
the destinations in which we operate.
Our Objective: Always aim for 100 % overall customer satisfaction.
Message From Headquarters
Dear reader,
Colombia is truly a verdant wonderland. Its quaint cities have bold and bright avenues. Here, colonial meets contemporary masterfully. This destination will allure you with its soaring Andean summits, unspoiled Caribbean beaches, intriguing Amazon jungle, mystifying archaeological sites and cobbled colonial communities. The ever-growing tourism infrastructure along with the stellar hospitality of Colombians will allure you.
When you visit Colombia you will be mesmerized by the variety of things to do and see. Lovers of history and archaeology will be enthralled by Bogota’s vast museums and will be truly impressed by the Tierradentro, Lost City and San Agustin sites. Beyond the history, you can also find unique dancing, delicious food, and a seducing nightlife. Journey into the Amazon, go diving, drink superb coffee, and much more. Do you want something out of the ordinary? Then, come and let this marvelous destination amaze you!
Sincerely,
Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS
President
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Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
President
General Comptroller
Corporate Marketing and Business Director
Corporate Quality Director
Electronic Publishing
Content and Editing
Managing Director —MyDay Travel
Corporate Headquarters:
Year 9 Vol. 1, Issue 122
Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS [email protected] Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS [email protected] Trinidad SANCHEZ [email protected] Francisco BAEZA, DMCP [email protected] Julia ORTIZ [email protected] Alejandro PECH [email protected] Omar GALLEGOS [email protected] Jorge OROZCO, DMCP [email protected] Av. Acanceh 1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Q. Roo, 77500 Mex. Ph. +52 (998) 287-1700 www.ividmc.travel
Contents: Page
Cover Subject
Colombia Meetings in Colombia
With Coffee Aroma in the
Air
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DQuest 10,11
Quick Hits:
Colombia, Among the Top Ten
Countries to Travel to in 2016
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Advertise with CommuniQuest 13
The Customer’s Always Right 13
Let’s Cook : Colombian Coffee 14
Travel Tip: Remember It’s a
Process
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© Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Destination Offices:
Mexico Caribbean Central America South America
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS Marketing, Business & Planning Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic
Genaro ALMONTE, CIS Regional Managing Director
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Sonia VARGAS Destination Manager [email protected]
IVI DMC² Colombia Ligia VARGAS Regional Managing Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Mexico City, Central Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, & Riviera Nayarit
Jaime NELO, DMCP Destination Managing Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA Regional Managing Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Panama David JOHNSON Associate Regional Managing Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Brazil Andrea MAJELA Regional Managing Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI Destination Managing Director [email protected]
IVI DMC² Argentina Jorge OROZCO, DMCP Regional Managing Director [email protected]
Follow us on...
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olombia is a big country located in the northwest part of South America. It is one of the richest
countries in biodiversity, culture and ethnicity. The word "Colombia" is named
after Christopher Columbus, the explorer who discovered the Americas.
Mountains, beaches, ancient cathedrals are common sights here, though it is mainly its people’s
warmth and hospitality what characterizes Colombia and thus make it one of the most visited and
sought-after destinations.
Cities such as Bogota (the capital and growth locomotive), Medellin, and Cartagena are amongst
the most visited. Each one of them has its own personality, its own beauty.
We invite you to come and discover the greatness of our land and thus allow yourself to be
pampered by the kindness of Colombians, feature that has made them famous around the world.
Photo courtesy of National Geographic: Capital city Bogota
Cover Topic: Colombia
Colombia
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June 2016
Colombia
Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Gallery
Edellin’s name evokes great mountain
ridges, numerous national parks, a rich
biodiversity and a village full of kindness and
worth... this is Medellin, the capital of Antioquia
department and one of the most booming
Colombian cities as regards economy and
tourism infrastructure.
Among its many attractions is the Flower Fair,
held annually. This festival has helped establish
a reputation as the cultural capital of Colombia. It
brings together the largest number of domestic
and foreign visitors. According to a prestigious
M
publication, Colombia comes in second, just behind Holland, as a major supplier of live flowers to
world markets. It is a festival that features color everywhere and that promises cultural
enrichment.
If we go a little beyond the green mountains of Medellin, we will be able to admire a giant stone:
“El Peñol”, in the town of Guatape. This monolith is a must see since it offers breathtaking views
from atop; this wonder has become a popular stop for anyone who visits Antioquia. You can get
here either by bus or by car rental.
Photos courtesy of the municipality of Medellin and Flower Fair official website
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Cover Topic (continued...)
Colombia
artagena de Indias is known as the walled wonder. A perfect mix where the modern
age mingles with the past, makes Cartagena de Indias an ideal city for anyone who
wants to peer into the ancient history of Colombia, its pirates and warships, while at the
same time enjoying the modern, cosmopolitan twist this city offers. Its strategic bayside
location has also seen a huge tourist growth recently. Located on Colombia’s northern
coast and facing the Caribbean Sea, it is by far the most visited city in the country by
both local and international tourists. Cartagena's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage
site – a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, horse-drawn
carriages, and impressive churches. Rich in culture and color, Cartagena promises to
create long-lasting impressions that will make you eager to return.
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Colombia
Top: Photo courtesy of the department of
Bolivar official website
Bottom: Photo courtesy of the municipality of
Cartagena official website
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ogota is the city for everyone. It is the capital of Colombia and the main administrative and
economic center of the country. It has one of the largest and most important airports
throughout Latin America: El Dorado.
Its benign and cool climate makes Bogota a preferred destination for many. The city is blessed by
an average temperature of 15°C (58°F). The great city for everyone has been listed by The New
York Times as the city number 21 (out of 53) in the list of best tourist destinations in America. It is
known for housing renown cultural hubs such as the Colon Theatre and huge libraries such as
Virgilio Barco Library.
The city has developed an efficient public transportation system which is acclaimed as a pioneer
in the use of hybrid buses that reduce significantly the emissions into the environment. A fine
example is the Transmilenio bus network, which over the last decade has transported more than
3,000,000,000 passengers and currently serves 1.7 million users per day. It has been recognized
by the U.N. as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Water and oil are being saved
tremendously, while the rate of accidents on the road has decreased by 80%. The system is also
integrated with a bicycle network, offering bicycle parking for more than 1,600 bicycles at various
stations. What a feat of urban engineering!
Photo courtesy of the Public Library Capital
Network official website of Colombia:
Public Library Virgilio Barco, Bogota.
Colombia
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Cover Topic (continued...)
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June 2016
Colombia
BestCities Global Alliance network, a reputable organization which has put together a list
of friendly, English-speaking cities known for comfort, cleanliness and safety, has welcomed to
their list Bogota, thus making it the first city in Latin America to be part of such recognized list.
This distinction means that Bogota now competes with cities such as Vancouver, Melbourne,
Edinburgh, and Dubai. Aspects such as cultural and gastronomic offer, bilingualism, quality of life,
safety, and historical wealth, were important aspects that had a bearing in the process of
selection of new cities servicing great events.
Bogota underwent a rigorous certification process which began with the visit of the BestCities’
staff to this destination.
With the assistance of IVI DMC² Colombia, find out why Colombia is recognized as one of the
best destinations for your convention or group event in Latin America.
Photo courtesy of the BestCities Global Alliance official website:
Luis Angel Arango Library´s Auditorium in Bogota.
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Rough Guides, a leading publisher of travel and reference information, conducts an annual,
worldwide research on the best countries to visit and categorizes them on a top ten list 10. For
2016, Colombia is positioned as number 2 on this prestigious list and no wonder! Emblematic
and unique places such as the Lost City in Magdalena, the Salt Cathedral in Bogota, the hills of
Mavecure in Guainia, the tombs of the National Archeological Park of Tierradentro, and many
more make this great country great for visiting. Colombia has rightly earned this distinction and
is able to hobnob with destinations the size of Nepal and Wales in the U.K. Well done Colombia!
Hills of Mavecure
Salt Cathedral
Colombia Among the Top Recommended Countries to
Travel to in 2016
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IVI DMC²
World Headquarters:
Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx
Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700
Email: [email protected]
Serving the meetings,
incentives, conferences, and
exhibitions industry since
1986.
Find us in over 40
destinations throughout:
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Cuba
Dominican Republic
Belize
Guatemala
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Honduras
Costa Rica
Panama
Colombia
Brazil
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Coming soon...Peru!
The Customer is Always Right
June 2016
Advertise with
CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest
Advertising and promotional opportunities are now available in
CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest. Sponsorship placement
opportunities are limited and are reserved on a “first come, first
served” basis. We invite you to advertise in our vastly distributed
Incentive Travel Digest which is already available to over 10,000 avid
readers. These readers are dedicated members, stakeholders, and
fine suppliers. The Incentive Travel Digest is an inviting 'cover to
cover' read, ensuring eye-catching and successful advertising.
Click here to receive more information.
For further information on the
fine hotels, deals, activities,
and group packages mentioned
in this magazine, please
contact Francisco BAEZA:
IVI staff was very pleasant to work with; Gregorio was a great help.
Ms. Molly Hoyt | Meetings Manager
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Colombian Coffee Is the Best in the
World!
Facts:
Besides being the best coffee in the world,
Colombia is also the world’s second largest
coffee producer. The social importance of this
drink is undeniable. Good coffee is like wine: it
is a tasting journey that uses all the senses.
Colombia also produces the world's tastiest
coffee. You have the perfect excuse to start
your day with a cup of this magical liquid
wherever you are: on the street, in a cafe, at
home, on a balcony, at your computer, or in the
garden. Enjoy it with friends or when taking a
short break at the office.
When planning your next coffee agenda, don’t
forget to include your business meeting!
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June 2016
Often we get so caught up in wanting to get to our destination, we forget about the journey
itself. Getting from one place to another involves a process. Part of the process may be
Travel Tip: Remember It’s a Process
Like life in general, the M&E Industry seems to move at the speed of
light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the
latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest Incentive Travel
Digest is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and
analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, and interesting.
I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be.
Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
THANK YOU FOR READING
James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized
professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive
Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500
companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and
invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get
ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom
with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a
person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag.
Reprinted by permission from the Author: [email protected]
enjoyable and part may not.
Focus on the former; forget the
latter.
Nothing erases unpleasant
thoughts more effectively than
concentration on pleasant
ones. - Hans Selye
If we see ourselves as victims
of circumstances or as victims
of irrational forces beyond our
control, the chances are that
our distress will be intensified.
- Dr. Allen Fay
(Taken from page 140)
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