On December 19, Los Cabos celebrates 30 years of American Airlines operations in this tourist destination, a date that symbolizes the airline's collaboration and impact on the economic and tourism development of the region since its first flight in 1994.

To commemorate this anniversary, a special ceremony was held to welcome flight 2592, from Dallas, Texas, which landed at 9:30 a.m. at Terminal 2 of the Los Cabos International Airport.

The arrival of 175 passengers was a significant moment, which included a welcome characterized by mariachi music, a symbol of the hospitality that distinguishes Los Cabos as an international destination.

Rodrigo Esponda, General Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA), highlighted that “American Airlines has been a strategic partner for the growth of Los Cabos, connecting us with key markets that have driven the arrival of travelers and generated an impact on the local economy. This anniversary is a sign of the commitment of both parties to continue positioning Los Cabos as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world.”

“At American, we are excited to be able to celebrate three decades of operations in Los Cabos, a sign of our commitment to Mexico and to our team throughout the country,” said José María Giraldo, General Manager of Operations for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean at American Airlines. “We are proud to offer more flights than any other U.S. airline in Los Cabos, giving our customers more options to travel and connect with the United States and the world.”

American’s winter seasonal operation from Los Cabos (SJD) will include up to 81 weekly flights to six destinations in the United States, including Austin (AUS), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD) and Phoenix (PHX).

Since its arrival in 1994, American Airlines has played a fundamental role in connecting Los Cabos with the main cities of the United States, strengthening air connectivity and the flow of tourists to the destination. With more than 30 airports connected in its network, American Airlines has established itself as the leading airline in Los Cabos, transporting the largest number of passengers and offering the highest frequency of flights to this popular tourist destination. Thanks to its service, millions of travelers have access to the beaches and attractions that make Los Cabos a unique place.

The Los Cabos Tourism Trust celebrated this milestone and reaffirmed its commitment to work in collaboration with strategic partners such as American Airlines to continue attracting visitors, diversify markets and foster the growth of the destination.

In an achievement for the Baja California Sur tourism industry, Los Cabos has been recognized for the second time as the “Best Destination in Mexico” in the 2024 edition of Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Awards.

Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Awards are recognized in the travel industry as one of the most prestigious awards that highlight excellence in various sectors, including tourist destinations, airlines, cruise lines and hotels. The winners are selected through a voting process that involves Travel Weekly readers, who choose their favorites in multiple categories. The results are tabulated by Northstar Travel Group, which guarantees the transparency and credibility of the process.

The recognition was presented to Rodrigo Esponda, General Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA), during a ceremony held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

“This recognition highlights Los Cabos among other national and international destinations and reflects the joint effort of the local community, including hoteliers, tour operators and government authorities, who have worked hard to position the region as an elite tourist destination,” said Rodrigo Esponda.

Los Cabos has focused on developing a tourism model that respects the natural environment while promoting authentic, high-quality experiences. With stunning landscapes, first-class hotel infrastructure and a growing commitment to sustainability, the destination is consolidating itself as a leader in luxury tourism.

It is important to note that Los Cabos’ promotional strategy has been honored in the last two years with more than 30 recognitions from important awards, including the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, MarCom Awards, TravelAge West WAVE Awards, Virtuoso Travel Awards, Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, Travvy Awards, Davey Awards and Travel + Leisure. These recognitions are a reflection of the commitment and effectiveness of the initiatives implemented to position Los Cabos as a first-class tourist destination.

After a year of absence and with high expectations, the Los Cabos International Film Festival (FIC Los Cabos) returned in 2024 with a memorable edition that reaffirmed its place as one of the most relevant film events in Mexico and Latin America. For four days, the festival offered a unique experience for lovers of the seventh art, standing out for its commitment to cultural diversity, sustainability and its commitment to emerging and international talent.

A closing ceremony to remember

The closing ceremony, held in the majestic Sculpture Garden of Puerto Los Cabos, was the finishing touch to a vibrant edition. In a gala atmosphere, attendees enjoyed the screening of Maria, by renowned Chilean director Pablo Larraín, whose work has been acclaimed for its unique style and narrative depth.

The event not only stood out for its film offering, but also for being a space for reflection and action, presenting talks and workshops focused on social and environmental issues. This approach highlights the vision of FIC Los Cabos as a driving force for social transformation through art and creativity.

Recognizing Mexican talent

One of the most emotional moments of this edition was the presentation of the “Sin Fronteras” Award to Melissa Barrera and Manuel García-Rulfo, two figures who have brought the name of Mexico to international stages.

Melissa Barrera, recognized for her work in productions such as In the Heights and Scream, shared with the audience her excitement at receiving this award in her native country, highlighting that it was her first national recognition after a career forged mainly in the United States. Barrera encouraged artists to remain faithful to their ideals, highlighting how art can be a powerful tool to express personal and social truths.

For his part, Manuel García-Rulfo, known for his participation in major productions such as The Magnificent Seven and the Netflix series The Lincoln Lawyer, reflected on the challenges of making his way in Hollywood and the importance of choosing authentic projects that genuinely represent Latin culture. García-Rulfo also shared his plans to venture into directing, demonstrating that his artistic vision continues to expand.

Cinema, creativity and social transformation

The festival presented a wide selection of films by national and international filmmakers, many of which addressed contemporary issues such as identity, social justice and climate change. In addition, the workshops and meetings offered a platform for new talents to connect with established figures in the industry, fostering cultural and creative exchange.

This approach aligns with the efforts of the FIC Los Cabos to position itself as a space where stories transcend borders, both physical and cultural. The festival organization highlighted that cinema is not only entertainment, but a powerful tool to raise awareness and promote positive change in society.

A promising future

With this 2024 edition, the Los Cabos International Film Festival has made it clear that its hiatus was just an opportunity to rethink and strengthen its mission. Now, film buffs in northern Mexico and the Pacific region can look forward to what the next edition of this iconic event will bring.

The return of FIC Los Cabos not only celebrated cinema at its finest, but also underlined the importance of supporting culture and the arts as fundamental pillars of identity and social development. Meanwhile, the echoes of this edition, marked by talent, reflection and sustainability, will continue to resonate in the memory of those who had the privilege of being part of it.

With talent like Melissa Barrera and Manuel García-Rulfo at the helm, and a clear vision for the future, FIC Los Cabos reaffirms its position as a key meeting point between Mexico, Latin America and the rest of the film world.

The Los Cabos International Film Festival closed its 2024 edition with a gala that celebrated the best of national and international cinema. Among the most emotional moments of the night was the recognition of Mexican actress Melissa Barrera, who received the prestigious “Sin Fronteras” Award. This award, which celebrates artists who transcend cultural and geographical barriers in cinema, marked a turning point in the career of Barrera, a figure who has redefined Latin representation in Hollywood.

“This is the first award I have received in my country since I left to try my luck in the United States 17 years ago,” said a visibly moved Barrera. During her speech, she recalled the challenges she has faced in staying true to her convictions, encouraging other artists not to be afraid to speak up. “When you are true to yourself and act with love and truth, the universe always rewards you,” she said through tears, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

A year of transformation

2024 was a crucial year for the actress born in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Barrera faced a global controversy after being fired from the Scream franchise due to posts in which she expressed her support for Palestine, calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide and ethnic cleansing.” These statements unleashed a wave of criticism and accusations of anti-Semitism, which the actress categorically denied.

Instead of backing down, Melissa used this experience as a catalyst to redirect her career towards projects that reflected her ideals and values. “Art is my way of contributing to a more empathetic and human world,” she shared in recent interviews.

Among this year’s achievements, Barrera starred in Your Monster, a romantic horror comedy acclaimed at the Sundance Film Festival. In addition, she collaborated with emerging filmmakers seeking to transform Latin representation in the global film industry.

A rising career

The “Sin Fronteras” Award highlighted Barrera’s impact not only in Hollywood, but also in the Mexican film industry. From her beginnings in productions such as Dos tiempos tú and Club de Cuervos, to her leading role as Vanessa in the musical In the Heights (2021), Melissa has demonstrated her versatility and charisma. For this last role, she received a nomination for Best Actress by the Hollywood Critics Association, consolidating herself as a key figure in contemporary cinema.

On television, Barrera is remembered for her portrayal of Lyn Hernández in the series Vida (2018-2020), a production that explored themes of identity, family and Latin culture. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences has been a constant in her career.

The future of Melissa Barrera

The presentation of this award not only highlights Barrera’s achievements, but also underlines her commitment to authenticity and social justice. In her acceptance speech, the actress called on the industry to support stories that reflect the diversity and complexity of human experiences.

“Cinema has no borders. It is a universal language that connects us all, and my mission is to continue telling stories that unite, inspire and challenge,” she said.

With projects that promise to continue breaking patterns and a career that is constantly on the rise, Melissa Barrera is establishing herself as one of the most promising Mexican actresses of her generation, paving the way for Latin voices to resonate more strongly on the global stage.

The Los Cabos International Film Festival concluded its 2024 edition celebrating not only the talent, but also the courage of those who, like Melissa Barrera, use their platform to challenge barriers and build a more inclusive world.