Jeanfromfillmore
02-21-2011, 02:19 AM
This article was very interesting, considering the millions of Mexicans that cry their country is so poor and they only come to the USA to feed their families.
Mexico finds skies friendly in San Antonio
Alamo City gets nearly twice the private jet traffic of 2008
By WILLIAM PACK
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Feb. 20, 2011, 8:00PM
Evidence of San Antonio's deepening economic ties with Mexico, already felt in its malls and its housing developments, now can be seen in the skies — with a surge in private jet traffic.
Preliminary data from the city's Aviation Department shows that almost 4,000 Mexican-owned private aircraft cleared customs at San Antonio International Airport in 2010. That's a 52 percent jump from the count in 2009 and almost double the number from 2008, when the airport simplified customs processing for its international travelers by attaining "port of entry" status.
Wealthy travelers
"The increase is certainly good news for us," said Rene Dominguez, director of the city's International and Economic Development Department. "It's a good indication that, for whatever reason, there is increasing (business) activity here in San Antonio."
While their specific reasons for coming to San Antonio are unknown, the Mexican travelers flying into San Antonio are likely part of the upper-income demographic sector that has poured millions into San Antonio's economy over the years.
At the least, they create more business for aviation-related firms. At the most, they spend lavishly on international getaways, invest in companies that add jobs and build the trust that invites even more Mexican business and leisure travelers.
"It's beyond shopping. They have second homes here or are looking to buy homes here," said Jose Luis Garcia, the city aviation department's marketing manager. "It's a tremendous opportunity. We need to keep working on developing it because other cities are doing it too."
Port of entry status
Garcia called the airport the city's "front door" in that outreach effort.
The door really began to open in 2008 when, after two trial runs, the city received permanent "port of entry" status from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
That designation allows private aircraft from Mexico and a few other countries to clear customs in San Antonio rather than having to stop at another checkpoint for clearance. Some foreign aircraft owners were granted customs reviews in San Antonio before 2008, but it entailed applying in advance for permission, an airport official said.
In May 2008, the first full month the designation was in effect, 162 Mexican planes cleared customs at San Antonio International, city reports show. The count has grown inconsistently since then, hitting a high of 486 in December 2010.
Officials believe the increase is driven in part by drug violence and the security concerns that violence has created in Mexico, particularly for wealthy residents.
But Frances Schultschik, director of public relations in Mexico and Latin America for the city's Convention & Visitors Bureau, thinks San Antonio's long history of encouraging Mexican travel and investment could be a bigger factor behind the rising visitor count.
"San Antonio has been familiar to them for many, many years for many reasons," Schultschik said. "Word of mouth is strong."
The bureau, through its marketing efforts, has sought to broaden the buzz the city enjoys in Mexico to include its golf courses, food and wine offerings, and the arts in addition to its well-recognized shopping options. Schultschik thinks that has drawn more fliers from Mexico.
'More like Houston'
In addition, the city's economic development activities reach hundreds of Mexican companies and investors each year with hopes of stimulating trade between the countries.
Mario Diaz, general manager of Landmark Aviation in San Antonio, said San Antonio's appeal in Mexico appears to be growing, and his business reflects that. Where San Antonio once was known primarily as a shopping destination, it now is seen as a valuable medical and business center for Mexican visitors, said Diaz, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico.
He said San Antonio's reputation in Mexico has become "more like Houston."
That comparison may not make everyone happy, but aviation interests and other business owners won't complain much if it continues to boost revenues.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7438640.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Fbusiness+% 28chron.com+-+Business%29
Mexico finds skies friendly in San Antonio
Alamo City gets nearly twice the private jet traffic of 2008
By WILLIAM PACK
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Feb. 20, 2011, 8:00PM
Evidence of San Antonio's deepening economic ties with Mexico, already felt in its malls and its housing developments, now can be seen in the skies — with a surge in private jet traffic.
Preliminary data from the city's Aviation Department shows that almost 4,000 Mexican-owned private aircraft cleared customs at San Antonio International Airport in 2010. That's a 52 percent jump from the count in 2009 and almost double the number from 2008, when the airport simplified customs processing for its international travelers by attaining "port of entry" status.
Wealthy travelers
"The increase is certainly good news for us," said Rene Dominguez, director of the city's International and Economic Development Department. "It's a good indication that, for whatever reason, there is increasing (business) activity here in San Antonio."
While their specific reasons for coming to San Antonio are unknown, the Mexican travelers flying into San Antonio are likely part of the upper-income demographic sector that has poured millions into San Antonio's economy over the years.
At the least, they create more business for aviation-related firms. At the most, they spend lavishly on international getaways, invest in companies that add jobs and build the trust that invites even more Mexican business and leisure travelers.
"It's beyond shopping. They have second homes here or are looking to buy homes here," said Jose Luis Garcia, the city aviation department's marketing manager. "It's a tremendous opportunity. We need to keep working on developing it because other cities are doing it too."
Port of entry status
Garcia called the airport the city's "front door" in that outreach effort.
The door really began to open in 2008 when, after two trial runs, the city received permanent "port of entry" status from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
That designation allows private aircraft from Mexico and a few other countries to clear customs in San Antonio rather than having to stop at another checkpoint for clearance. Some foreign aircraft owners were granted customs reviews in San Antonio before 2008, but it entailed applying in advance for permission, an airport official said.
In May 2008, the first full month the designation was in effect, 162 Mexican planes cleared customs at San Antonio International, city reports show. The count has grown inconsistently since then, hitting a high of 486 in December 2010.
Officials believe the increase is driven in part by drug violence and the security concerns that violence has created in Mexico, particularly for wealthy residents.
But Frances Schultschik, director of public relations in Mexico and Latin America for the city's Convention & Visitors Bureau, thinks San Antonio's long history of encouraging Mexican travel and investment could be a bigger factor behind the rising visitor count.
"San Antonio has been familiar to them for many, many years for many reasons," Schultschik said. "Word of mouth is strong."
The bureau, through its marketing efforts, has sought to broaden the buzz the city enjoys in Mexico to include its golf courses, food and wine offerings, and the arts in addition to its well-recognized shopping options. Schultschik thinks that has drawn more fliers from Mexico.
'More like Houston'
In addition, the city's economic development activities reach hundreds of Mexican companies and investors each year with hopes of stimulating trade between the countries.
Mario Diaz, general manager of Landmark Aviation in San Antonio, said San Antonio's appeal in Mexico appears to be growing, and his business reflects that. Where San Antonio once was known primarily as a shopping destination, it now is seen as a valuable medical and business center for Mexican visitors, said Diaz, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico.
He said San Antonio's reputation in Mexico has become "more like Houston."
That comparison may not make everyone happy, but aviation interests and other business owners won't complain much if it continues to boost revenues.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7438640.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Fbusiness+% 28chron.com+-+Business%29