Schedule, Speakers Announced for Second Annual Whale Shark Festival in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO, Jun 29 (MARKET WIRE) --
Immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Isla Mujeres, Mexico at the
Second Annual Whale Shark Festival, as Ceviche Tours and the Department
of Tourism of Isla Mujeres today announced the official Schedule of
Events for this five-day celebration to be held July 15-19, 2009.

Sponsored by several environmental leaders, the Whale Shark Festival will
showcase the achievements, traditions and environmental splendor of Isla
Mujeres while championing the need to preserve a fragile marine ecosystem.
Whale shark tours, swimming with whale sharks and other ecotourism
adventures are some of the activities guests can enjoy.

"The Festival will welcome thousands of visitors to Isla Mujeres, to take
part in a myriad of family-friendly activities and enjoy the beauty and
culture of this vibrant seaside town," said Eyder Jahil Hoth Perez,
director of tourism for Isla Mujeres.

The Festival will feature an Artisans Exposition at Mainsquare, which will
include displays of traditional dancing happening daily. Several local
women's artisan groups will display their works. There will also be an
array of games for the whole family, a food court showcasing local flavors
and traditional dishes from Isla Mujeres restaurants, and stands from
Festival sponsors.

Francisco Remolina of the Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas
(National commission of Protected Natural Areas) and director of the Yum
Balam preservation reserve, will headline the Academic Seminars. Dr.
Remolina was key in forging new legislation to have the marine area north
of Contoy all the way to Holbox Island declared a biosphere for the
protection of whale sharks.

Exclusive Tours, Family-Friendly Activities

Guests can participate in a wide variety of exclusive
family-friendly
activities:

-- Tours of the Turtle Farm on Isla Mujeres
-- Private excursions to Boca Iglesia, the first church built in North
America (1517)
-- Snorkeling, diving adventures to the reefs and wrecks surrounding Isla
Mujeres
-- Trips to Contoy Island to tour the National Park, the most important
nesting place of sea birds in all of the Mexican Caribbean, and the Bird
Sanctuary
-- Swimming with whale sharks, the world's largest fish
-- Sport fishing charters, in-shore and offshore

Swimming with Whale Sharks

Guests can swim with whale sharks, an endangered species and the largest
fish in the ocean. They can also join an effort by Project Domino, a
conservation program implemented by the Mexican government, to protect and
preserve whale sharks by adding their underwater photos to Project
Domino's visual database of the unique markings, or spots, that can
identify individual whale sharks. These markings allow scientists to
track these graceful creatures. Images from the Project Domino regional
database are shared with a global database from nonprofit ECOCEAN.

"Swimming with whale sharks is an unforgettable experience," said John
Vater, who co-founded Ceviche Tours with his wife, Adriana, and longtime
friend and Isla Mujeres native Luis "Cuco" Refugio and his family. "The
Whale Shark Festival will be a tremendous opportunity for travelers to
participate in ecotourism adventures and to immerse themselves in the
culture of Isla Mujeres."

Academic Seminars and Film Showcase

From July 16-18, preeminent scholars on marine biology, sustainable
ecotourism and Mayan Architecture will present sessions on their work.
They will also showcase films about the area and preservation activities.

Filmmaker Jeronimo Aviles, known for his underwater work, will unveil his
latest film on Mexican shark researcher Deni Ramirez and his activities in
Baja. The film also features research efforts by the Domino Project.

Also, archaeologist Alfonso Morales from Grupo Plan will present a
conference on the Mayan Culture and Commerce in the Mexican Caribbean.

Whale Shark Festival sponsors include Ceviche Tours, Project Domino and
the Department of Tourism of Isla Mujeres. Nonprofit partners include
environmental leader Amigos de Isla Contoy A.C., which promotes the
conservation of Isla Contoy, nature areas and regional projects of the
Yucatan peninsula.

Booking Travel

Travel arrangements can be made through the Ceviche Tours Website
(www.cevichetours.com). Whale shark tours can also be booked on the
Website; they are available now through September 17, 2009.

For a complete listing of activities, photos and more information, visit
www.whalesharkfest.com.

About Ceviche Tours

Ceviche Tours is a US-based ecotourism travel agency that provides
sustainable ecotourism to the indigenous peoples of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Founded by John and Adriana Vater of Spa Adriana in Huntington Village,
NY, with longtime friend and Isla Mujeres native Luis "Cuco" Refugio and
his family, Ceviche Tours works with the indigenous islanders of Isla
Mujeres to help preserve their culture and maintain the integrity and
beauty of the surrounding marine environment. Through education and photo
identification efforts, Ceviche Tours joins the worldwide effort to
protect and preserve whale sharks. As participants on our whale shark
tours, guests are invited to be part of those identification and tracking
efforts.

For more information, please contact www.cevichetours.com.

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Press Contact
Hillary Call for Ceviche Tours
(917) 414-9262
Email Contact
www.cevichetours.com

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