Puerto Vallarta News Brief with Felipe Álvarez for November 7, 2023

Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – The Puerto Vallarta News Brief covers the top trending stories of the week on Vallarta Daily News and is hosted by Felipe Alvarez.

The stories this week.

Residents and business owners in Puerto Vallarta are on high alert due to sightings of a crocodile in the Cuale River, stirring significant unease within the community. The local Civil Protection and Fire Department’s response to this unexpected visitor has been questioned by Graciela Ortiz Cervantes, president of the Neighborhood Council of Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Efforts to capture the reptile have been unsuccessful, raising concerns especially as the northern arm of the river is a popular family area. Despite the river’s transformation from a traditional laundering spot to a bustling hub for tourism, the presence of the crocodile has introduced a pressing challenge for local authorities and heightened the community’s call for decisive action. The full story

In more positive news, Puerto Vallarta has garnered international recognition at the 2023 Travvy Awards, clinching five bronze categories that celebrate the city’s appeal as a global travel destination. This recognition includes Best Destination, Honeymoon Destination, Culinary Destination, Wedding Destination in Mexico, and Best Tourism Office. Luis Villaseñor, General Director of the Public Trust for Tourism Promotion and Advertising of Puerto Vallarta, lauded this testament to the city’s allure, highlighting its diverse natural environments and rich cultural experiences. The Travvy Awards, determined by travel agents’ insights, affirm the city’s evolving status as a premier travel spot, further reinforced by a 10.7% increase in international passengers and a top ten ranking as a Thanksgiving 2023 destination by Allianz Partners. The full story

Lastly, the documentary scene in Puerto Vallarta takes a dramatic turn with “Vallarta: la bahía de nuevo Chiapas,” a film that brings to light the less-visible impacts of tourism on the region. Directed by Antoniu V. Moldovan, the documentary, underpinned by research from Adriana Inés Olivares González at the Institute of Research and City Studies, examines the socio-environmental challenges faced by the city. Through the perspectives of a local baker, an immigrant, and a fisherman who is also a community activist, the film provokes thought on the cost of tourism-led development. Supported by several academic and environmental organizations, this film merges academic research with creative filmmaking, offering an important platform for discussions on sustainable tourism and human-environment relationships. The full story