From the desk of Armando Contreras
As many of you know, we recently conducted a survey to gauge the 2020 High Season in Riviera Nayarit.
The survey to be blunt said that High Season 2020 will be a BUST.
Given the reduced numbers of guests here on the ground and the continued health risks that we are facing, we at Galvan have made the painful decision not to have nor to promote any of our external events this year.
This applies to The Tianguis, Annual Taste of Lo de Marcos, Chili Cookoff, and even the high spirited High Season dinners at Casa Galvan.
Since we opened the doors at Galvan almost 7 years ago, our intention of the events we produce was to raise awareness of Lo de Marcos and to provide the Residents of Lo de Marcos with support both financially and creatively.
We hope and plan on being able to bring all of these events back to town for the 2021 season.
This is what was shared from Amigos de Lo de Marcos.
Amigos de Lo de Marcos has a long history of supporting the community and providing an opportunity for regular visitors and residents to contribute to the life and health of the community.
As President of the Amigos de Lo de Marcos, and on behalf of the Board of Directors (Mesa Directiva), I am writing to you to provide you with an update on the situation in the village. The goal is to provide, to the best of our ability, a sense of the role that Amigos de Lo de Marcos can/needs to take over the next year.
Lo de Marcos is part of the Municipality of Bahia de Banderas in the State of Nayarit, and the status of the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico is unclear. Accurate information is hard to get and we can only really comment on what we see in Lo de Marcos. Various levels of Government have each implemented specific measures to limit the spread of Covid 19, and here in Lo de Marcos we have had very few confirmed cases.
However, those initiatives to prevent the spread of Covid 19 have had an impact on the economy of the community. Tourism, both winter season snowbirds and year round domestic tourists, is a major part of the annual income for the families here in Lo de Marcos. Tourism has dropped by 90% since March 2020. There are NOT any governmental economic support programs to communities that have been affected by Covid 19. This community is in economic crisis and the outlook for the next few years is very uncertain.
At present, the schools are closed and we do not know when they will be reopened. Some students are able to continue part of their education online, however the shortage of computers and internet access continues to be problematic for many families.
Business leaders in Lo de Marcos are working on a 2 year recovery plan. The first step is to inventory and assess the resources available to the community. Amigos de Lo de Marcos has been asked to support the community and the recovery plan.
Amigos de Lo de Marcos also needs to assess the situation and to make some flexible plans for the next 2 seasons.
- The forecast for tourism, especially for the 2020-2021 season, indicates that many of our regular members will probably not be coming to Lo de Marcos this year. This is driven by a number of factors, including governmental Travel Advisories, cost of Health/Travel Insurance and availability of direct flights to Puerto Vallarta.
- There is a very high probability that Amigos will not be able to operate their annual fund raisers, including the February Fiesta. Many other community events and fundraisers have already been cancelled for the upcoming season in Lo de Marcos. We will need to look at other, more virtual ways, to raise funds for 2020-2021.
- The probability of having sufficient members available (quorums) for in-person meetings this season is low. The Constitution of our Association does not address a unique situation like a global pandemic, so we will have to be somewhat creative in our decision making processes and our communications with members.
- Amigos de Lo de Marcos needs to conserve existing resources (funds) and prioritize how we spend those funds based on the needs of the community.
Over the next weeks and months, the Board of Directors (Mesa Directiva) will be meeting virtually to discuss and assess the changing situation in Lo de Marcos. Discussions will also be held with the Chairpersons of the various committees. At this time, I ask for your patience and support.
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If you are a Business Owner in town who has an interest in learning more about how we can survive this crisis together, please stop in at the Galvan Office and ask for an Application. Please share this information with other business owners in town.
Note, the front door is closed but we are usually inside, so please knock.
Or for details call me on my cell at 322 120 0655.
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The beach is still legally off-limits although residents and small groups of visitors have been spotted and it seems if they are following social distancing guidelines they are not bothered and allowed to stay.
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Speaking individually as Galvan Real Estate and collectively as part of the very fabric of life here in Lo de Marcos, I hope for eventual recovery and return to normal. With decreased tourism levels, the responsibility for our community’s success lies in the hands of the town’s business owners and our supporters.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me.
I’m sending each of you a virtual hug! Can you feel it?
Regards,
Armando Contreras
Galvan Real Estate and Services
Presidente Amigos de Lo de Marcos
Sad news.
It is, but we will keep working to get this beutiful town back and strong for 2021.
We are very sorry, though not surprised, to see how badly Lo de Marcos is affected. Please know that while we are not wealthy we are committed to helping “our” community in this difficult time. Please put us on the list for your needs and requests. You are in our thoughts and we are wishing you continued effort in staying hopeful! Diane and Jerry Shriner
Thank you Diane and Jerry! We really appreciate your kind words and we will keep working to get this beutiful town back and strong for 2021
My wife and I love coming to Mexico! But with recent spikes even in our area we will not be coming this year. We feel for all the great people that own businesses down your way! Will be coming later next year.
May God bless you!
Thank you Ross for your blessings! We will need more of those but we will be ready for all of you on 2021.
While I deeply regret the reasons that these decisions have had to be taken, I know that they are necessary to the health of the town. That said, if a flight is available, Pat and I will be on it. We are used to a quiet life, and a quiet life in LDM is still a good life. Truthfully, we would much rather spend our limited funds at local businesses selling local produce than at the corporate-owned supermarkets and malls at home. And if we have to isolate/quarantine for the winter, Mexico’s climate will allow us to do it in comfort.
I can definitely feel the virtual hug, and hope that all of you can equally feel the one I am sending back!
Thank you Cathy! we hope to see you and Pat soon!
Catherine, you basically summed it up for me as well. I have booked 3 months..if there is a flight , I’ll be on it. Love and hugs to all of you at galvan.
Thanks Kathleen! We hope to see you soon!
Hi Armando, sending you a virtual hug back! I’m really sorry things are so bad. I hope we will be able to return in Feb. of 2022, we will not be leaving Ontario, Canada this winter. I will miss everyone we’ve ever met there and look forward to buying you the beer I owe you!
Tale care and best of luck to you and everyone.
I feel that hug Elva! Thank you for it. We will see us on 2021 and we will share that beer.
yes Armando, i can feel your virtual hug,,,,va otro de regreso para ti y toda tu compania
Gracias Susy!
Sending positive vibes and virtual hugs to all in LDM. Hoping that a reliable COVID 19 vaccine will be available for everyone sooner, rather than later. In the meantime hoping that illnesses and losses are kept to a minimum. We must all remember to wash our hands, physical distance from others (2 meters), and wear our masks! Protect ourselves and protect others!
Definitely Catherine! We will keep doing that.
Yes, my wife and I are in total agreement with Catherine Betzler. We are booked for February to April. If we can get there safely, then we will be there.
We want to support the lovely people of LDM.
We will welcome you all with open arms but well distanced. Take care and keep safe!
John and I hope to return to LDM this winter, either driving or flying. We agree with Catherine’s sentiments as well. Let’s support our community!
I am wondering about the status of real estate transactions, e.g. titling property. Have all Notarios and Government offices stopped processing paperwork?
Stay safe and be well.
Thank you Jane! we hope to see you both here in town this winter. Real Estate sales are booming! Notarios and Government offices are working with speciffic schedules and less people in their officess.
Lorne and Madeline,
We are very sorry to hear of all of the hardship and suffering in your lovely community, and we hope that better times will return sometime soon.
Your hard work and leadership will be appreciated more than ever in these troubled times.
Wishing you the best and hope to see you sometime in the near future.
Be safe.
Thank you Lorne and Madeline, we love our community and will work to resist these difficult times. Thanks for your best wishes.
See you soon. Take Care
Terry and I will still be coming down but would prefer to drive this year as we will be staying for 5 months. Have you heard if a 5 month lease is considered essential travel and then we can drive. I agree with some of the other comments that I would prefer to spend my winter money in LDM where I know it will go to help families and not giant corporations.