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Globe and Mail
3 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Puerto Vallarta Shines as a Top Summer Destination for American Travelers
From sea turtle releases and jungle excursions to award-winning dining without the crowds, this is the season to experience Mexico's Pacific paradise for less NEW YORK, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As American travelers plan their summer getaways, Puerto Vallarta continues to secure its status as a must-visit international hotspot. According to the latest Allianz Partners USA report, nearly a third, or 29%, of U.S. flights are bound for international locales this summer, with Mexico claiming three of the top 10 destinations. Among these, Puerto Vallarta stands out for its seamless blend of natural beauty, cultural richness and abundance of outdoor adventures. This vibrant city, tucked between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay on Mexico's Pacific coast, is a premier beach vacation destination supported by 27 direct air routes from the U.S. Summer visitors are rewarded with lush green landscapes, fewer crowds and valuable savings on both accommodations and activities, making it a perfect time to experience the city's signature mix of adventure, relaxation and charm. WHAT TO DO Sea Turtle Releases: From July through December, the city's beaches become the setting for one of nature's most moving events: the release of sea turtle hatchlings. Guided by marine biologists and conservation experts, these sunset events invite visitors to witness hatchlings make their way to the ocean, while learning about the species' biology and the importance of protecting their fragile ecosystems. Guests can take part in releases at participating hotels including Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, both recognized for their longstanding conservation efforts. Boca de Tomates Turtle Camp offers a hands-on experience that includes adopting nests and assisting with releases, while tour operators such as Wildlife Connection and Ecotours Vallarta lead small-group excursions that help fund critical preservation work. Explore Lush Landscapes: Summer rains transform Puerto Vallarta into a lush, green escape, creating perfect conditions for outdoor exploration. Canopy River leads adrenaline-filled adventures through the Sierra Madre Mountains, including ziplining, ATV rides and suspension bridge treks. For a quieter experience, scenic hikes like the coastal trail from Las Ánimas to Quimixto offer sweeping ocean views and the chance to spot local wildlife. South of the city, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens span 46 acres of native flora, riverside swimming spots and peaceful walking paths, making it a favorite for nature lovers. Dining Without the Crowds: With fewer travelers in town, summer is the ideal time to explore the city's celebrated culinary scene. Acclaimed restaurants such as ICÚ, known for contemporary tasting menus that reimagine traditional Mexican dishes with regional influences; Tintoque, a chic destination for modern Mexican cuisine; and MAKAL, in the heart of the Romantic Zone and praised for its creative, ingredient-driven approach, serve innovative dishes in refined yet relaxed settings. The quieter pace allows guests to savor world-class cuisine without the usual wait. WHERE TO STAY As Puerto Vallarta enters its low season, travelers can take advantage of summer deals on accommodations across the city. For Families: Velas Vallarta This beachfront all-inclusive resort in the heart of Marina Vallarta offers serene views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and is a favorite for multigenerational vacations. Families enjoy spacious suites, three pools, a kids' club and daily entertainment. The Summer Presale 2025 package, available to book through June 3 for travel from June 1 to August 31, includes complimentary stays for children ages 4 to 12, 50% off for teens, a suite upgrade, $300 in resort credit, discounts on golf, early check-in or late check-out and the signature Kawitu Experience. For Couples: Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway An adults-only property in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, just steps from the iconic Malecon esplanade, Villa Premiere blends oceanfront luxury with personalized service. As part of the Flowers & Sea special, guests receive 20% off bookings made through June 20, valid for travel through January 3, 2026. The experience includes butler service, rejuvenating spa treatments, themed dinners with live entertainment on select nights and a serene beachfront setting designed for a stylish and relaxing escape. For LGBTQ+ Travelers: ALMAR Resort Located in the heart of the Romantic Zone (often referred to as the 'Gayborhood'), ALMAR Resort is the city's only luxury LGBTQ+ beachfront property, known for its Oceanview suites, lively pool scene and inclusive atmosphere. From July 25 to 28, it will host the inaugural POSH PVR Escape, a three-day celebration of music, themed parties and curated experiences. POSH is internationally known for its high-energy events at Art Basel, Fashion Weeks in New York and Paris, and Pride celebrations in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. For Luxury Seekers: Casa Kimberly Once the former residence of Elizabeth Taylor, this intimate nine-suite boutique hotel captures the charm of old Hollywood glamour paired with modern indulgence. The Hot Nights, Cool Savings promotion adds value to luxury stays from July 1 through October 31, with a third night free when booking two. The package also includes a deluxe continental breakfast delivered each morning and welcome margaritas upon arrival. About Puerto Vallarta Nestled between the rugged Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay on Mexico's balmy Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is the quintessential Mexican beach destination. Puerto Vallarta's year-round warm climate, easy direct access from major markets in the United States and Canada, and a range of accommodation options have made it a top choice for a stress-free tropical escape. Authentic culture can be discovered around every corner in Puerto Vallarta, from the charming cobblestone streets downtown to the art-filled Malecon, and the lively Romantic Zone – a favorite enclave amongst LGBTQ+ travelers. Puerto Vallarta's picturesque beaches and aquatic activities lure travelers, and its welcoming hospitality, top-notch gastronomy, and outdoor adventures keep them coming back time and time again.
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
InsuranceMarket.ae receives Allianz Rising Star Award for breakthrough performance
the UAE's largest insurance platform, has been awarded the 'Rising Star 2024' title by Allianz Partners, recognising a year of exceptional growth, strategic alignment, and customer-centric execution. The accolade celebrates the 10x expansion of the shared book between the two partners in just one year — an achievement made more remarkable by the simultaneous uplift in service quality and value delivery. The recognition highlights a model of partnership that goes beyond distribution scale to embrace vision, speed, and sustainability. "Clarity, ambition and flawless execution—that's what fuels outcomes like this," said Avinash Babur, CEO of "We do not aim to work with everyone. We choose partners who share our long-term ethos. This award is a testament to what can be accomplished when collaboration is intentional and purpose-driven." Allianz Partners echoed the sentiment in their commendation. 'It was our absolute pleasure to recognize one of our key distribution partners in the UAE who are creating positive disruption in insurance broking," said Cheryl Beattie from the Allianz Partners team. "In 2024, they posted the highest growth levels across both individual and SME segments. Their name is in lights everywhere, with a dynamic and innovative approach that's clearly delivering results." The award comes as continues to deepen its investment in the future of insurance distribution. From seamless, digital-first customer journeys to the launch of its Global Benefits Practice focused on IPMI and led by Malcolm Wright, the company is setting new standards for what modern insurance broking can deliver. This recognition joins a growing list of accolades for including its Superbrands status, naming rights for the InsuranceMarket Metro Station, and over 25,000 five-star Google reviews, further cementing its leadership in the UAE insurance ecosystem.
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Taking the Kids and the Pets
The VIP was greeted effusively by the hotel staff and found special amenities and treats in her hotel room. But at the newly renovated We were at the tail end of a nearly 3,000-mile road trip that took us from Denver to California and back, and we found dog-friendly accommodations, eateries, hiking trails, and more, everywhere we went. There were as many pooches as bikes on the nine-block section of the car-free State Street Promenade in 'Kimpton is a huge standout when it comes to pet amenities,' said Kim Salerno, creator of noting that a growing number of hotel brands have become pet friendly. (Check We discovered the Related Stories 9/29/2024 2/19/2024 Last summer And in Cambria, California, along the central coast known as More happily in SLO CAL, we took Loni on an 'SLO CAL is an It's not surprising to me that pet owners are traveling more with their dogs (and cats) as more hotels and campgrounds (some complete with dog parks) welcome pets. In fact, the recent Kampgrounds of America annual report noted that Ragged Point. Courtesy of Eileen Ogintz Airbnb's 'Pets are increasingly accompanying travelers, from Gen Z to empty-nesters, prompting businesses to offer pet-inclusive hotel and flight experiences, as highlighted by the Allianz Partners Vacation Confident Index from 2024,' said Sekia Harris, Allianz Partners Social Media and Reputation Manager. From 2023 to 2024, No wonder Hilton welcomes pets and their humans at more than 5,000 pet-friendly properties globally, making it one of the most pet-friendly hospitality brands with unique amenities in the world. At It seems as with amenities for families, hotels, and entire cities with pet-friendly areas on their websites (including This summer, one lucky pet (and two of their favorite humans) will get a $5,000, four-day, three-night stay at a dog-friendly hotel anywhere through a Certainly, it is cheaper to travel with your pets rather than boarding them, though hotel fees can vary widely, said Salerno. She suggested checking the hotel's pet policies in advance as some limit the size, breed, and number of dogs. While more pet owners travel with their pets on road trips, a growing number (68 percent of dog owners and 80 percent of cat owners) have flown with them, according to a 2024 report from the American Pet Products Association. Significantly, 22 percent of dog owners have taken them on three or more flights, up nine percent from just two years prior and despite fees. Her website and others, including But sometimes dog owners, like traveling parents of young kids, need to be more mindful of those around them. In Cambria, the popular restaurant Robin's, celebrating its 40th anniversary, added very popular dog-friendly garden patio seating during the covid pandemic. 'There are many more people who dine with their pets than ever,' said Shanny Covey, the restaurant's co-owner. 'Honestly, there are days where there are too many pets and pet owners feel entitled to dine with their dog anywhere they want.' Just like those traveling with kids, I guess. Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Summer Savings Strategies: 7 steps to take when paying off debt
Americans are expected to spend an average of $2,867 per household — or $226.6 billion in total — on a summer vacation this year, according to Allianz Partners. Here are some surefire ways to save money ahead of and during the summer. Personal finance expert and co-host of The Ramsey Show, George Kamel, sits down with Allie Canal for a conversation about budgeting strategies, focusing spending through intentionality, and avoiding savings pitfalls. Kamel is also the host of his own YouTube channel and the co-host of the Smart Money Happy Hour. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. Americans plan to spend a record breaking $226.6 billion on vacations this summer. That's according to a new survey from Alliance partners. That is up a little more than 2% compared to last year. But if you're looking to save money, our next guest says a staycation might be the right move for you. Here with more is George Campbell, co-host of the Ramsey Show and host of the George Campbell YouTube channel, as part of our savings series brought to you by Synchrony. George, summer spending tends to creep up on all of us. What are some ways that individuals and families can stay on budget without missing out on all the fun? Well, it starts before summer. It starts with planning instead of just impulse and fomo and going, "We want to do all the things. Just put it on credit cards and buy now pay later and we'll worry about it later." So the thing is you got to sit down and make a plan for what's actually going to happen and then stick to that budget. And so the app that I use for that is called every dollar to just make a plan before the month begins, and my wife and I align on what's happening this following month. And then we stick to that. And if we can't afford it, we just don't do it that month. It's called patience and delayed gratification. And for those who tend to overspend during the summer months, and I'm mostly talking about myself here, what habits or strategies can help reign things in early, especially as we approach Memorial Day weekend, many of us, it's unofficial start of summer. Well, a lot of it comes down to the marketing. That's when the marketing really ramps up and we see so many ads on our face and as we scroll social media. And everything is so tempting because they make it seem like it's a once-in-a-lifetime deal. And so again, you've got a budget ahead of time, make a plan for it, and know that all this marketing is coming your way and go, "Nope, we said we're spending money over here, not over here. I don't care how much is going on sale. Never spend just to save." And if you do that with intentionality, you can actually enjoy the spending you do because it's not impulsive. There's no remorse or regret at the end of it, just intentionality. In terms of how you're spending your money, how do you view credit cards versus cash? Are there certain advantages when it comes to savings? Absolutely. You know, I know some of the previous guests have mentioned rewards cards. I don't have a single credit card to my name and that has allowed me to keep guard rails on my spending because I physically can't spend money I don't have when I only use a debit card, and especially when I use cash. When you hand over some crisp dollar bills at the store, you feel pain. And what's happened over time is that spending has become frictionless. That's Apple Pay's tagline, cashless made effortless. They want it to be so easy to spend to where you don't even feel it anymore. And I think we need to add some friction back in so that we stop feeling so broke. And part of that is because of the frictionless spending. So, create the guard rails, use a debit card, stick to a budget, and you'll feel so much better and less out of control. And let's talk about groceries. That's been a big budget sucker these days. What's your advice when it comes to saving a little bit there? Intentionality is what it comes down to. And this might mean meal planning ahead of time and deciding what I'm going to go into the grocery store to get. And I love the online grocery shopping now where you can add to cart and see the total before you walk in. Before you see that end cap with your favorite snack on it and impulsively grab it before you check out, just order it online and do the grocery pickup, especially if it's free and there's no added fees. That's a great way to do it. And then change your grocery store. You know, I went to an Aldi the other day, and I was shocked at how much I could get for that $100 bill that I handed over. So you got to change your grocery store, shop generic brand instead of name brand, and make some sacrifices, and avoid the end caps and snack aisles. That's where people get into trouble. I know I get into trouble in those aisles as well, George. Now, you do have a list of seven baby steps when it comes to getting out of debt, building your wealth. Can you break down some of those for us? Absolutely. Baby step one is a starter emergency fund of $1,000 because we found that four in 10 Americans have zero in savings. And what that does, it causes them to go back into debt anytime there's an ankle biter emergency. Once you have a thousand bucks, move on to baby step two, pay off all of your consumer debt using the debt snowball method. That's smallest to largest balance, ignore the interest rates, try to get some momentum and roll that payment into the next one and into the next one. Once you're debt free, we're going to go back to that emergency fund and baby step three and get a fully funded emergency fund of three to six months of expenses. This is your never go into debt again insurance plan because you become the bank now. You don't need a lender to cover that emergency. And it's a great place to be debt free with an emergency fund, amazing financial foundation. Now ready to build for the future instead of paying for the past, and baby step four, where we invest 15% of our household income into retirement accounts that are tax advantaged. That's really going to set up people for wealth. And once you have your own mask on with retirement, you can help set up your kids for college in baby step five, putting some money away into a 529 plan or an education savings account. And then focus on getting the mortgage paid off in baby step six. Once you remove one of your largest fixed expenses, you can really begin to build wealth, spend more, upgrade your life the right way, and give more. And that leads to baby step seven, which is just continue to build wealth and give and leave a legacy. And that's really a wonderful place to be. It's a luxury for most Americans to even think about that, but that's the proven plan. It's the same one I followed to go from negative net worth to millionaire in 10 years. Some small steps that can certainly go a long way, George Campbell. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Summer Savings Strategies: 7 steps to take when paying off debt
Americans are expected to spend an average of $2,867 per household — or $226.6 billion in total — on a summer vacation this year, according to Allianz Partners. Here are some surefire ways to save money ahead of and during the summer. Personal finance expert and co-host of The Ramsey Show, George Kamel, sits down with Allie Canal for a conversation about budgeting strategies, focusing spending through intentionality, and avoiding savings pitfalls. Kamel is also the host of his own YouTube channel and the co-host of the Smart Money Happy Hour. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here.
