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Proud to Represent
Real Resorts
and El Cid Resorts
in Canada
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Contact Us
Freddie Marsh, CTC
Representing Real Resorts
freddie@freddiemarsh.com
604 614 9932
Dave Emery, MS
Representing El Cid Resorts
dave@freddiemarsh.com
604 328 6847
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FMTM is an abbreviation for Freddie Marsh Travel
Marketing. We are a Vancouver-area based company
providing high quality travel industry sales
representation in Canada and the USA.
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Dear David,
Here it is September already. Where did the summer
go??? :)
 We
had a really great experience a couple of weeks ago
that I wanted to share with you. My cousin Debbie is
a volunteer at Vancouver Aquarium's
Marine Mammal Rescue Centre and she kindly took
us on a tour of the facility.
It is a wonderful place. There were 97 Harbour Seals
at the Centre the day we were there receiving love
and care. From all over British Columbia the seals
arrive; either injured or very young and abondoned.
We saw one seal that was so young that it had just
lost its' umbilical cord!
The seals are very cute and it's really hard not to
touch and pet them, but we weren't allowed, as it's
in the best interest of the seals to have as little
human contact as possible. Once the seals are big
enough and rehabilitated, they are released back
into the waters of BC. Isn't that great?
If you'd like to view a video of our visit to the
centre, just click on the image below.
Click to View
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Have a great month. If you need anything regarding
Real Resorts please contact me and if you need
anything for
El Cid Resorts then please contact Dave. Adios
Amigos!!!
Chat with you soon,
Freddie Marsh, CTC
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 Congratulations
Quebec Agents!!!
It was so great to see so many of you during the
recent TMR Shows
in Quebec City, Laval, Boucherville and Montreal. A
big MERCI to everyone that stopped at our booths and
left a
business card.
The winners of the Starbucks gift cards are:
Janie Bidelogne
from Voyage Hone in Montreal
(courtesy of El Cid Resorts)
Jacques Bonin from Vacances Platine in Montreal
(courtesy of Real Resorts)
Your gift cards are on their way!!! Please enjoy
some coffee on us!
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Dave's Mazatlán Trip
 I
had a chance again to visit Mazatlan this past
week. I must say that it is almost like coming home
as I once again enjoyed the hospitality of the
wonderful El Cid staff, as well as seeing again our
comfortable and updated rooms in all 4 of our
properties (El Cid Granada, Castilla Beach, El Moro,
and El Cid Marina Beach).
I again was able to enjoy the beautiful sunsets from
my room, as well as the great food and evening shows
at the El Cid. No stay in Mazatlan is complete
without a wonderful dinner in the renovated downtown
"Centro Historico" or a massage at the El Cid Spa
and Country Club.
Some of my new adventures during this trip included:
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 A
morning at the Mazatlan Aquarium enjoying the
seal and exotic bird shows followed by a
leisurely walk along the Malecon (beach
boardwalk) |
| A day of seeing how tequilla is made, then
tasting the product (blue agave - tequilla),
followed by visiting the charming village of La
Noria. (Blue Agave & La Noria Tour) |
| A day of fun and relaxation on a tour to
Deer Island. I was able to kayak, snorkel, swim
and relax on this beautiful island just off the
coast of Mazatlan |
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 Zipping
through the canopy on 9 (safe but thrilling)
ziplines at the Huana Coa Canopy Adventure |
Luckily, there are many new activities for me to
look forward to on my next trip to Mazatlan. When
people ask me what there is to do in Mazatlan, they
often can't shut me up. I can't wait to get back
there!
Dave Emery
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NEW! Real Resorts
Baggage Promotion
Real Resorts
Offers Guests up to a $50 Resort Credit for Airline
Charges for Checked Baggage at All Four of its
Cancun & Playa del Carmen Resorts
Are your clients tired of paying those airline
checked baggage fees? Real Resorts can help! Now
through December 23, 2010, Real Resorts will offer
guests up to a $50 Resort credit when they show
their receipt for airline checked luggage costs upon
check-in. The offer is available per guest suite and
is limited to one credit per stay. The Resort
credit is valid at the luxury-gourmet, all-suite,
all-inclusive ,
adult-only THE ROYAL in Cancun and THE ROYAL Playa
del Carmen, as well as the family friendly
all-inclusive Gran Caribe Real Cancun and Gran Porto
Real Playa del Carmen. The Resort credit can be used
to purchase spa services, items in the
Resort-operated Bazaar gift shops, or for extras
such as premium bottles of wine or private beach
dinners and upgrades.
"Baggage charges
have become a big inconvenience and expense to
resort travelers and we want to help," said
Fernando Garcia, Managing Director of Real Resorts.
"We want our guests
to arrive happy and be relaxed so that they are
ready to enjoy their vacation. Offering them the
credit to help offset the baggage charges that are
now routine with most airlines is just another
gesture of many that guests experience at Real
Resorts. We believe it helps show just how much we
care about them and appreciate their business,"
added Garcia.
In addition, guests will enjoy spectacular savings
on vacations booked for arrival now through October
31st and early booking bonuses for vacations booked
through December 23, 2010.
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Mazatlán Voted Best Family Beach
by Mexican Travelers in Travelocity
'Battle of Destinations' Contest
Hosted by Travelocity.com.mx and the Mexican Council
for the Promotion of Tourism (CPTM), this online
competition featured weekly match-ups between 14
competing Mexican destinations this summer. Travelers
were asked to vote for their top pick in four travel
categories, including Family Beach, Luxury Beach,
Urban City and Colonial Town.
 More
than 2.3 million people living in cities and towns
throughout Mexico cast their online ballot for
Mazatlán in the battle for Best Family Beach
Destination, held during the week of July 1. With a
grand finish of more than 73 percent of votes, the
seaside destination known as "The Pearl of The
Pacific" celebrated a landslide victory over the rival
beaches of Cancún, Acapulco and Ixtapa.
"We are honored to be recognized as Mexico's top
family beach destination," says Carlos Berdegué, vice
president of the Mazatlán Hotel Association and
Tourism Board. "Visitors to Mazatlán enjoy 16 miles of
golden-sand beaches along the Pacific Ocean, as well
as rich culture, historic sites, world-class resorts,
authentic cuisine and unique events that draw families
from across North America year-round."
Mazatlan garnered more than half of the total ballots
cast in the Battle of Destinations. The competition
drew a total of nearly 3.9 million votes in all four
categories.
Mazatlán: Top Family Beach Destination
To find Mexico's top spot for authentic culture and
miles of scenic coastline, travelers in the know
follow the gnome. Mazatlán welcomed Travelocity's
roaming gnome to its shores on July 9 - 11. The tiny
traveler was on hand to present the honor for Best
Family Beach Destination during a special award
ceremony, accompanied by Rodrigo Cobo, Director
General for Travelocity México. Raúl Llera Martinez,
Undersecretary of Tourism Operations and Promotions
for the State of Sinaloa, accepted the award on behalf
of Mazatlán, with Mazatlán Hotel Association and
Tourism Board members attending.
"We wish to thank the multitude of supporters who
voted for Mazatlán as part of the Battle of
Destinations," Llera says. "This competition
underscores our ongoing investment in Mazatlán's
tourism product, with landmark restoration projects
and new development that have continued to grow the
destination over the past seven years consecutively.
We are confident that Mazatlán will draw millions of
travelers this year, and invite all visitors to
experience rich offerings of this beautiful city."
Gnome On The Roam In Mazatlán
Following the reception, the gnome ambassador set off
to explore Mazatlán's renowned beaches and
cosmopolitan tourism district, known as the Golden
Zone. Many of the luxurious resorts here have
completed upgrades and extensive renovations to
showcase award-winning spas, high-tech fitness
centers, championship golf and nightlife. Premier
restaurants serve up gourmet cuisine with panoramic
sunset views, while the oceanfront malecón promenade
offers a taste of Mazatlán's fresh Pacific seafood in
outdoor markets and beachside palapa huts.
Just north of the Golden Zone, the gnome made a stop
at the state-of-the-art, $70 million-dollar Mazatlán
International Center and new growth as part of the
Marina Mazatlán project - at more than 15 square
miles, one of the largest urban and tourist
developments in Mexico and Latin America. Marina
Mazatlán's master plan calls for new high-rise luxury
hotels, residences, gourmet restaurants, spas,
shopping and recreational areas.
 Ecoadventure
and pristine scenery were among the highlights of the
gnome's excursions to nearby colonial towns in the
Sierra Madres foothills. In the mountain village of La
Noria, this savvy traveler explored the 130-year-old
La Hacienda De Los Osuna tequila distillery and
plantation. Daily walking tours take guests through
the agave fields, where plantation guides explain the
growing process and demonstrate how the blue agave is
harvested before touring the ancient and modern
distillery. Afterward, the gnome took off on a
heart-pounding zipline tour through jungle treetops as
part of the Huana Coa Canopy Adventure.
Rich culture awaited the gnome back in Old Mazatlán,
home to more than 479 national historic sites like the
135-year-old Angela Peralta theater and bustling Pino
Suárez open-air market, which has operated since 1899.
In Plaza Machado, the gnome joined visitors and locals
strolling alongside unique shops, art galleries, jazz
clubs, museums, contemporary dance studios and outdoor
concert halls. Old Mazatlán's sidewalk cafés featured
al fresco dining against a colorful backdrop of
neoclassical architecture.
About Mazatlán
Mazatlán is located on Mexico's Pacific Coast at the
foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. As Mexico's second
largest coastal city, Mazatlán has nearly 600,000
inhabitants. The city is divided into two main areas:
Old Mazatlán and Zona Dorada or Golden Zone, with a
seven-mile coastal road between the two. Mazatlán has
an international sport-fishing reputation. Sites of
interest include: the Angela Peralta Theater,
Archeological Museum, Republic Plaza, Ocean Museum,
Botanic Garden, San Jose Chapel and the world's
second-tallest lighthouse. Transportation is available
via the local "pulmonías" or four-person open-air
vehicles that have become a symbol of the city.
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Turtles & Tourists
A Record Summer for
Both
at THE ROYAL in Cancun & Gran Caribe Real Cancun
 The
beautiful beaches at THE ROYAL in Cancun & Gran
Caribe Real Cancun are favorites this summer for
vacationers and sea turtles. Amid a record summer
for high occupancies, the protected sea turtles were
made comfortable and safe by the staff of both
resorts. During June, dozens of sea turtles
arrived on the two Resort beaches and laid hundreds
of eggs. Under the supervision of the Mexican
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (
SEMARNAT ) the staff at the Resorts carefully and
skillfully moved all of the eggs to protected nests
located in safe areas of the beach far from the
tourist areas and dangers.
Last month, after 45 d  ays
of incubation, the first of the baby turtles broke
their eggs. That evening the staff of THE ROYAL in
Cancun and Gran Caribe Real Cancun, along with
resort guests, helped guide more than 200 baby sea
turtles on their pilgrimage to the Caribbean.
Specially trained Resort staff provided information
to guests about the lifecycle of the turtles and
their safe handling.
The turtle hatching will continue throughout the
summer and the staff and guests will be able to
continue to enjoy this wonderful act of nature,
without harm to the turtles.
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Canadians vs Americans
Bring it!!!
Well, it isn't exactly a rematch of the Olympic
Hockey finals, but it is a competition none-the-less.
The El Cid Rewards
program is open to both Canadian and American travel
agents who want to earn generous rewards for online
shopping or gift certificates to local popular retail
stores.
Even though Americans out-number Canadians about 9 to
1 in the general population, in the El Cid Rewards
program Canadian travel agents are running neck and
neck (50:50) with American agents.
If you haven't already signed up for the El Cid
Rewards program, now is the time. It only takes a few
minutes and you can sign up
HERE.
By the time we send out the FMTM newsletter at the
beginning of November, we want to report on how the
Canadians beat the Americans (again) and are the best
supporters of the El Cid Resorts in Mazatlan, Riviera
Maya and Cozumel!
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El Cid Rewards
 El
Cid understands that Travel Agents help support
their success
and they are happy to give back in a big way. To
show their appreciation
for your loyalty, you're invited to
Join the El Cid Rewards program,
where you can earn points for each booking you make.
Redeem your points for an array of fabulous products
from our catalog. The
more you
book, the more you earn!!!
Testimonial
"When checking out
the catalog I was blown away!!! From Coach bags to
DeWalt tools, to iPads ...really?! It is a true
reward gallery for agents. Having shipping included
is a wonderul additoin also. After seeing my points
total I thought 'Well, I may get a $50 gift card
like most other programs,' boy was I thrilled to see
what incredible choices were available to me. I love
El Cid Resorts (obviously) and will continue to
support the product, however this is a great added
incentive to get my clients into El Cid rooms."
Karrie Locher, CTC
Vacations Plus, Edmonton Alberta
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Presidential Suites
THE ROYAL in Playa
del Carmen
 Do
you have a client that likes to experience the best
of the best while on vacation? Then you should
really look at booking them into a Presidential
Suite at the THE ROYAL in Playa del Carmen. I saw
these amazing suites personally a couple of months
ago and all I can say is WOW!!!
Earlier this year Real Resorts opened 5 new
Presidential Suites in a stunning new section at THE
ROYAL in Playa del Carmen. The new presidential
suites have a spiral staircase leading to their own
private roof-top swimming pool. I'm serious!! Can
you imagine?
A Travel Agent once said something to me and I
couldn't agree with her more...
"When
your client goes on vacation, why would they stay
somewhere less than what they have at home? What
kind of vacation is that? They should stay somewhere
equal or better to what they have at home."
Do you agree? Well, I'm pretty sure that the
Presidential Suite category at THE ROYAL in Playa
del Carmen would fit into that category! :)
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RRMembers
Another Testimonial
 Congratulations
to Amber Whitney from Sears Travel in Edmonton.
Amber recently received a cheque from RRMembers for
almost $900US for booking Real Resorts. Isn't that
great?
Way to go Amber!!!
We're so happy that you took the time to register
your bookings. It really pays off!
And thank you for booking Real Resorts.
If you aren't a member yet what are you waiting for?
Sign up TODAY!!!
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Best Day was founded in 1984 and throughout the
years they have grown on the basis of providing
first class, quality and personalized service. This
has allowed Best Day to position themselves as an
experienced, trustworthy company in the tourism
market for Cancun, Playa del Carmen, the Mayan
Riviera, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and the Mayan
Peninsula.
For the Canadian market, Best Day provides the
ground services for
Air Canada Vacations and
Westjet Vacations
as well as various other FIT operators.
Best Day offers a wide variety of tours for fun
entertainment or cultural recreation to please all
ages. All of the Representatives at Best Day Travel
are fully billingual, impeccable uniformed and very
well trained and experienced.
Best Day Travel Representatives are always ready to
help make the best day of your clients vacation.
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