Urban Growth / Baja California Sur.

By German Herrera. Sales Manager

I would like to share my own experiences about the accelerated urban growth in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. This state is very rich on natural resources; many of them are unique in the entire world. Just to mention one of them, Jacques Cousteau –the world famous natural researcher—defined the Sea of Cortés as the largest living aquarium in the world. For this reason the authorities need to be mindful of the consequences or their future decisions. In particular, I am going to tell you something about the “ejidos”, rural property for collective use: for years, a paramount structure for the country’s agriculture.

Southern Baja residents in general and its environmental sector in particular, need to be aware of the risks involved on the concessions and selling of the ejido lands. The ejidos account over 60% of the state’s overall surface area. The developers and conservation organizations priorities often overlap in Baja California Sur –and almost everywhere else—. Sometimes developers make pressure to acquire coastal lands for tourism and residential zones against natural and water resources. Nevertheless, opportunities for sustainable development of these landscapes still exist and partnerships could certainly be developed to reach multiple goals. It will also be important for nonprofit organizations and government agencies to monitor the rural land tenure situation with respect to the ejidos to ensure that fair prices are established, and that rural communities are not pushed out of their traditional lands forever

In Mexico each state has many municipalities –counties—which are districts having corporate status and powers of self-government. For example, Los Cabos is a municipality which includes two towns: San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

The different regions of Southern Baja register significantly different population growth rates. The northern municipalities are emigration areas (i.e. Comondú and Mulegé), the southern municipalities (La Paz and Los Cabos) are in-migration areas receiving people from other regions of the state, the country and even from abroad.

Consequently, in the south we experience some violations or irregularities on the environment laws and permits due to land's high demand for commercial use: demands for consumer goods and services are very strong. On the other hand, in the north, problems are due to abandonment of regions and economic activities, leading to shortage and migration.

In the southern region, Los Cabos registered a yearly demographic growth rate of 9.7% from 1995 to 2000. According to estimations, if this trend is maintained, the municipality’s population will double in approximately seven years. Presently, the southern urban areas that are growing at an accelerated pace are Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, including their suburbs, such as Colonia del Sol. Although the facilities along that famous tourist corridor are currently tourism-related, in the future, residential and commercial settlements may be created further inland to provide services to these resorts and gated communities. If these settlements are not anticipated and planned for by the municipal and state government, irregular settlements could occur instead. This dramatic and potentially unplanned demographic growth raises extraordinary challenges for the municipalities’ and the state’s public administration to provide services and infrastructure to the population. It is important for Counties to have the support of the private investment. New developers must be engaged to supply some benefits for the local communities and work with the government to find the best way to avoid environmental damages.

I am glad to finish this first chapter with a great example of commitment with the community and Los Cabo’s environment. Casa Dorada at Medano Beach, offers great job opportunities for people with disabilities. When I learned this, I couldn’t believe it, because very few companies in Mexico offer something like this. Another important contribution of this new project is the street pavement. On the Medano area there were no paved streets, just dirty roads. Casa Dorada invested in giving to that area a new look. This company is making history in the hotel industry helping dreams become truth, not just the visitor’s dreams but the local’s too, they are creating a whole world of memories.

The Butterfly effect

By Oziel Garibay. Front Office manager

The phrase refers to the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that ultimately cause a tornado to appear (or prevent a tornado from appearing). Had the butterfly not flapped its wings, the trajectory of the system might have been vastly different.

There are no coincidences in life… as far as I know, in the universe only change is constant, which is a very clichéd sentence, however, it becomes relevant when certain events change your world, when life comes into an evident routine and suddenly something arrives and creates a revolution all around you. That’s the story of what occurred to me when I was offered to be part of the opening team of Casa Dorada.

Before I knew I would be working here, I had no immediate plans for my personal life. It was in the very same moment that I received the formal job offer when I decided to break with tediousness. I informed my ex-boss that at would be leaving in 4 weeks, I went to the internet and then I took one of the most instinctive and fortunate decisions of my life… I bought a plane ticket to Cali, Colombia.

I do not know anybody in Cali, I do not have any friends there, it is not a popular destination, it’s not the typical place that would capture the interest of a traditional tourist… so then, why Cali? I’m still wondering why. Was it fate? Was it Fortune? I don’t know what it was, but I just don’t want to start a debate out of it, either way you think is fine with me.

I checked in, I asked Alejandro –the Front Desk guy—to give me a room with a balcony since I wanted to smoke outside the room. I took a shower, went to sleep for a couple of hours… waked up and ordered room service. It was a little late at night to go anywhere and besides, I didn’t knew anyone there, so I decided to go for the Lobby Bar…..I didn’t know at that time, but fate/fortune/destiny was about to change my life!

Once at the Bar, I inquired about the Colombian beer, so I asked for a Club Colombia, “excellent choice” said the waiter. He brought the beer and that’s when I saw her… I was static, amazed, stunned looking at her face; I wondered if it was worth it to make a move. She was completely ignoring me and was very concentrated on her conversation with her girlfriend. I thought I would never have a chance with her; moreover, I’d never been good to approach women… but that night, something deep inside inspired me and I made my move, and then…

I reserve my right to preserve my intimacy, and not reveal how the scene was set, but I can honestly say that I have no doubt that I hit the mark by doing so. She’s now the woman of my life, and it’s clear for me that we found each other at the exact moment… for us, it is more than just a coincidence. Coincidences do not exist, causalities do. Now she’s here with me in Mexico, we are tremendously happy, we share a life project and we’ll be together forever and ever (well, that’s the plan).

If I had not chosen to work for Casa Dorada, I wouldn’t have gone to Cali, I just wouldn’t have had the time to do it, and I wouldn’t have met her; it may also happen that I wouldn’t have these weird ideas in my mind and I wouldn’t be sharing them with you… therefore, you wouldn’t be reading these lines and you would have done something different right now, your day would be slightly different for good or bad; maybe that little change will make you find someone special or perhaps, by taking these two extra minutes reading this, your position in the middle of the traffic will be different and your car will not be crashed by another one as it was supposed to… if you understand it, then, the Butterfly Effect may make sense to you, because my experience would have affected the whole course of your life.

My Dream Team

By Maria Luisa Santiago General Controller

Hello, I feel very touched for the opportunity to write in this blog. I want to share all that I have learned on the personal and professional fields during the 5 years I’ve been living in Los Cabos. I think I don’t need to tell you that this is a true paradise.

My experience on accounting and finances started many years ago, but I never had the opportunity to work on the hospitality industry until I arrived here. I am surprised and thankful for all that I have learned during this time.

Eighteen months ago, I took the decision to join the Casa Dorada Los Cabos project. I have experienced day by day the transformation and evolution of the construction. The opening date looked so far away back then: we were just 7 people on the team! Time flies by and today we are about to receive our first guests and suddenly, without warning, I am surrounded by more of 150 coworkers. I feel really proud and satisfied to be part of Casa Dorada, and strongly feel about our team’s motto “Emotions are paramount”.

Thanks to these emotions we live every single day with new ideas, laughs, jokes, etc. Earlier this month my colleagues surprised me with a delicious birthday cake. I don’t ever remember having heard before in my life the ‘Las Mañanitas’ and Happy Birthday songs sung more than five times in one single day and particularly in different languages! I laughed all day long; I received a lot of hugs and a beautiful bouquet. This is just an example of what’s considered here a celebration.

On top of everything I have told, I’ve been very fortunate to be part of this project since the beginning, as I had the opportunity to create an accounting dream team. In fact, more than a team it’s like my family, because I have all their support and we spend together more than 9 hours per day 6 days per week.

I would like to show you one of the Los Cabos best attractions: The whale watching tour. Last time I took it, it made me feel great because I share every beautiful moment it transmits me and it’s just great.

I personally try to enjoy it every year, it is fascinating and unforgettable. I also invite you to admire an unbeatable Cabo sunset.

I recommend you to visit our blog it will be available for you to know and learn more of Casa Dorada.

http://www.casadoradaloscabos.blogsport.com

Live & Work

By Yenicey Aguilar Housekeeper

Hello everyone! This is a great opportunity to share with you my experiences of freshly arriving to this city to live & work and also tell you about the natural wonders that I have just discovered.

But let’s start with some background… I was born a few years ago –not that many— (he he!) in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Due to family matters, I moved to Puerto Vallarta, a paradise Jalisco beach hot-spot, where I grew professionally in the hospitality Industry. Suddenly, one day I received a proposal that would change my life -- it was an invitation to work as an Executive Housekeeper for a hotel that was being built at the heart of Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur. I Accepted!!!! And that is how this adventure began….

I cannot describe the perfection of this place, it is Magical (capital M) and full of opportunities; it has the peacefulness of a small town and the partying of big cities, it shares Vegas’ motto: “What happens in Cabo, stays in Cabo” Do you think?

I’m not going to lie though, when I first got here, I was very surprised. This is very different, towns by the desert, its hills have a yellowish color and the sun is much more intense than where I come from.

When I first came to mi new job, Casa Dorada at Medano Beach, I was stunned -- its location is the best of the best! its facilities are up to the standards of the big Brand Chains, but most importantly and what really makes the difference, is my teammates’ human quality. Since Ulises (my 8 year old son) and me arrived here, they automatically embraced us in their group and became our new family –as corny as it may sound—for me Casa Dorada is one of the few places where you feel blissful working! I wake up in a good mood every morning, come to work and have fun in the process.

I want to share with you some of the most amazing natural wonders of this place; it was a real surprise for me to discover them! These rocks are a spectacular frame to the sunset viewed from the hotel. It’s funny to notice that I saw them every day and did not appreciate how majestic they are.

San Andrés Cave (two go in, three come out – he he!)

“La Playa del Amor” (The Love Beach) were the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean meet

This stone looks as if hand sculpted, recreating the Baja peninsula

The otters that live in the area

And the emblematic Arc that represents Cabo San Lucas worldwide.

At Casa Dorada Los Cabos the emotions are central

Luis Calderón Gaxiola, Director de Recursos Humanos

We can say that this sentence is quite popular in our business, the service industry; however, I would like to share with you my personal experience on this topic.

I started to apply the service philosophy as a life style a while ago; a lifestyle where sentences such as “we need to exceed our client’s expectations” become reality. I had the opportunity to work for several service specialized companies and I experienced several philosophies. During all these years I always felt that something was missing on the process.

There was a gap on the basics, not on the standards, not in the process and not on the quality control. I learned the many different ways and systems to control quality and service efficiency. After a while, I felt that those procedures were too mechanized or complicated; the “simple” was missing and the “wow effect” was absent

I tried to learn more about this topic to fulfill my personal needs for answers and new options. I have to admit that I never thought the answer to my questions would be the understanding of one of human’s foundations: emotions. Mankind is per nature a sensitive living being.

When I first read the sentence “80% of our decisions are taken based on emotions and just 20% based on intellect” I couldn’t believe it. That helped me to open my mind to a new marvelous dimension; I understood that our memories, experiences and wishes, are the result of an emotional impact generated by someone or something. We all look to create emotional links with something or someone: friends, music, a specific aroma or fragrance, a unique product or just an outstanding service experience.

Six months ago I joined a new endeavor. Since day 1 I have felt that I am really bringing a piece of my life to the project. I have received the opportunity to share and develop my ideals and experiences. Our team is starting this project from zero, creating the foundations for a solid and successful business. We live with full intensity, giving the best of our soul and sharing all our profession and emotional experiences. I am sure these opportunities just come once in your lifetime and it is priceless.

I am an example that at Casa Dorada the emotions are central; each one of us that have to operate this wonderful resort, every corner of the building, every single room, all our back of the house, etc. is emotionally linked to every one of us; if you ask me if this will be noticed by our guests, associates and customers I would answer: “I guarantee it”.