For Spanish by Fayth Moody
Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, known to Americans as Rocky Point, has been labeled as Arizona's beachfront. It is also the key entrance to the Sea of Cortez, due to its close proximity to the Arizona / Mexico border. The Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California or Mar Bermejo) is one of the most "bio-diversified" areas in existence, ranking fourth in the world. The Sea of Cortez has a huge amount of species of marine life, having been named "The Aquarium of the World" by world- renowned authority Jacques Cousteau. With more than 100 virgin islands and unbelievable scenic beauty, it represents an incredible opportunity for nautical ecotourism. This is why Fonatur, Mexico's National Tourism Fund, has chosen the Sea of Cortez as its site for the "Nautical Route".
The Nautical Route is a network of 22 planned and existing marinas, which includes
the coast of Baja California as well as all of the incredible Sea of Cortez,
encompassing four states. Puerto Peñasco has been chosen as one of the
seven nautical ports targeted for modernization". The Nautical Route will
trigger the growth of nautical tourism into the Sea of Cortez area dramatically
over the next five years. Fonatur foresees a high increase of sea craft arrivals,
reaching 76,400 by the year 2010. Estimates show that currently only about 8,000
sea craft visit the region per year, 15% of the calculated potential. The overall
estimated effect will be the arrival of 5.3 million inbound tourists per year.
Fonatur states that this will generate an income of 11 billion dollars and construction
of 10,500 hotel rooms with an investment of 1.26 billion dollars. In addition,
22,250 new marina slips will be built with an investment of nearly 460 million
dollars,
and over 53,000 new jobs will be created.
Fonatur (2001)
The Nautical Route offers greater business opportunities by developing private investment projects. It will offer a franchise
system that will:
· Ease the procedures to invite private investment by supporting the
· entire port network with a moderate public investment and thus offer them all mutual benefits.
· Provide confidence for the tourist by offering services under the
· highest standards of quality.
· Facilitate its promotion and market positioning by offering specific
· branding on marinas and nautical installations.
· Promote new investment by assisting in the development and operation
· of new business and providing administrative, operative, and commercial
· support.
· Generate synergy among all the members in the franchise system.
· Generate scale economies; thanks to the services provided to all
· participates.
Arizona is the fastest growing state in the United States, as well as having more boats per capita than any other state in the Union. This makes Puerto Peñasco a very attractive location for sport fishing, sailing, boating, scenic tours and water activities already enjoyed by more than 70 million Americans.
