Do you remember...

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by Era Cardoso

Do you remember Bogar?

Our dear interviewed worked with Amstar / Apple Vacations on the Riviera Maya from 2004 to June of 2007. He began as a rep and after some time was promoted to Customer Service Supervisor, a job better known as "Team Leader".

Bogar still remembers the destination, its people and its many tourist attractions. When he sold tours, the most popular were Chichén Itzá, snorkeling in the Cenotes, Cobá and, of course, the 'Xcaret with Dolphins Combo' at Delphinus. Bogar enjoyed spending time with his family on his days off, when he would go to the beach and the movies. Now he really misses the Riviera Maya and told us that there wasn't enough time in the world for him to finish telling us all the things he misses.

Our dear Bogar still remembers his friends in Playa and at the hospitality desks: "I remember everyone I ever had a nice chat with". Since there are so many, he prefers not to name names or companies for fear of forgetting someone important, "but each one of them is important to me", says Bogar.

Now Bogar is living in Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo and works as a Senior Supervisor of the Ixtapa and Acapulco destinations, so he's constantly on the move. Ever since he arrived at this new Pacific destination (June, 2007), he has supervised operations, sales, public relations and groups & conventions for both vacation spots, amongst other duties.

He told us that there are several popular tours in Ixtapa, including the 'Spicy Catamaran', which sails at sunset; ATVs, Dolphins and the Combo Tour, a mix of 3 tours in 1. "It's one of the most popular and is highly recommended for those who visit the area for the first time", said our friend.

In Acapulco he recommends the City Tour, the Divers Show with dinner, El Acarey and the trip to Isla Palao.

Bogar commented that he focuses sales on certain products and the more the sales, the better.

Ixtapa's most expensive tour sells for about US $130 and, of course, it's the swim with the dolphins tour. In Acapulco, the most exclusive tour is the trip to Taxco, which costs around US $90. The cheapest excursions are to Isla Ixtapa, for US $37, and in Acapulco to El Acarey, for US $25.

There are only 5000 hotel rooms in Ixtapa (a little more than on Cozumel) but Acapulco is growing and now has more than 20,000. Both destinations are known as sun, sea and sand vacation spots. "There is an incredible flow of domestic tourism to these destinations because they are close to Mexico City, Morelia and part of the Bajío", explained Bogar.

Bogar says that neither Ixtapa nor Acapulco can compare to the Riviera Maya because they're completely different destinations with different activities. Obviously a major difference is the color of the Mexican Caribbean, its sand and the way people think.

Bogar likes the food on the Pacific: "Each destination has it own charm", he says. "Something you will find in both Ixtapa and Acapulco that we don't have on the Riviera Maya or Cancun are mountains and breath-taking sunsets", commented Bogar.

Now on his days off, he travels to get to know new places. Due to its proximity to other places, he has taken the opportunity to visit Morelia, Pátzcuaro, Uruapan and Cuernavaca, amongst other towns.

Our good friend Bogar hopes to return to the Riviera Maya soon and he has kept his house here. He sends greetings to all the people he knows and is reading this message to his little daughter.

Those who would like to contact our friend Bogar Michel can write to him at: bogar_michel@hotmail.com