RIVIERA NAYARIT AND PUERTO VALLARTA TO WELCOME TWO NEW INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Virgin America and Arkefly introduce new flights for the upcoming winter season,
estimating to transport 77,000 tourists

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – September 29, 2011 – Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta are excited to announce two new international routes to the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport (PVR), which will benefit both destinations and increase the number of tourists and revenue there. Virgin America’s new flight from San Francisco will operate five times per week, and Arkefly, a Tui Nederland operator, will offer a new direct weekly flight from Amsterdam. Both airlines estimate that their new routes will generate annual sales of $106,652,000 and 77,000 visitors to Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta: 62,972 via Virgin America and 14,560 through Arkefly.

Virgin America’s flight from San Francisco to PVR will seat 173 passengers. The average stay for travelers in this region is five days, and it is estimated that these visitors will spend a total of $62,972,000 in the destination per year. Arkefly’s aircraft will seat 280 passengers, and since it’s estimating that the company will sell 14,560 seats in one year and that the average stay for European tourists is 15 days, the estimated revenue to the region will be $43,680,000.

“Since Riviera Nayarit is a new and burgeoning Mexican destination, we are always thrilled to hear about new direct flights to our region,” said Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Riviera Nayarit. “San Francisco and Amsterdam are two important markets for Nayarit and these new routes will help increase the number of tourists here, and provide travelers in those areas with even easier access to experience our beautiful destination.

About Riviera Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest travel destination stretching along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta. Mostly undeveloped, the destination 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 and the spectacular Banderas Bay. The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches. For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or find us on Facebook.

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