Mexico's National Trust Fund for Tourism Development (FONATUR) was formed in 1974 to boost foreign revenue, spread the country's wealth more evenly and to create jobs and raise the population's standard of living by establishing large scale tourism developments in specific areas of the country.

Over the past 30 years FONATUR has created and actively promoted five Integrally Planned Resorts (IPRs) that have become the backbone of Mexico's tourism industry. These resort destinations include Los Cabos and Loreto in Baja, and Cancun, Huatulco and Ixtapa on mainland Mexico.

These resort destinations have proven themselves to be more sucessful than many of the country's other destinations, garnering average hotel occupancy rates of approximately 65% and capturing approximately 55% of the country's foreign revenue from tourism.

The past success of FONATUR has given it the courage to move into the next millenium with several new projects. The Costa Maya Integrally Planned Tourism Project (ITP) is moving forward on the jungled coast south of Cancun, the Nayarit IPR is underway north of Puerto Vallarta, and the Mar de Cortez Project is under study on the upper west coast of the mainland and along the east side of the Baja Peninsula.

Fonatur provides advisory services to individuals and companies who are interested in investing in tourism activities in the existing five FONATUR locations and the three new locations now underway or under consideration.

For further information contact FONATUR by e-mail at a.clientes@fonatur.gob.mx or call them toll free at (877) 847-8183. Their web site address is www.fonatur.gob.mx.

• CANCUN

  State of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
  Year established: 1974.
  Approximate number of rooms: 27,000.
  This island sand bar covered with tropical jungle and lined with spectacular white sand beaches is FONATURs most successful project.
  Web site for further travel information: www.cancunexpo.com.

   

• IXTAPA

  State of Guerrero, Mexico.
  Year established: 1974.
  Approximate number of rooms: 3,700.
  Developed next to the existing fishing village of Zhuatanejo this destination offers old world charm and modern tourism facilities.
  Web site for further travel information: www.mexicoexpo.com.

   

• HUATULCO

  State of Oaxaca, Mexico.
  Year established: 1984.
  Approximate number of rooms: 1,200.
  The prestine beauty of the Bays of Huatulco are unmatched in Mexico and assure it as a destination without crowds and overdevelopment.
  Web site for further travel information: www.mexicoexpo.com.

   

• LORETO

  State of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
  Year established: 1976.
  Approximate number of rooms: 450.
  Fonatur's smallest project with future expansion planned for residential development, commercial centers and marina developement.
  Web site for further travel information: www.bajaexpo.com.

   

• LOS CABOS

  State of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
  Year established: 1976.
  Approximate number of rooms: 8,500.
  Using Cancun as an example of over-development, the growth of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo is of lower density and more eco-friendly.
  Web site for further travel information: www.caboexpo.com.

  	Web www.cancunexpo.com www.mexicoexpo.com www.bajaexpo.com

   

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