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The Pulse: Los Cabos hosts two successful fishing tournaments.
Why It Rates: It's only been one-and-a-half months since Hurricane Odile devastated Los Cabos and the destination is well on its way to recovery, as evidenced by the two successful fishing tournaments that took place this month. Not only are most restaurants and attractions up and running already, but Los Cabos tourism officials say virtually all hotels will be fully operational by year's end. - Claudette Covey, TravelPulse Mexico editor
The Los Cabos Tourism Board proudly welcomed back anglers from around the world from mid-to-late October as the destination hosted its first two major events following Hurricane Odile - the annual Los Cabos Billfish Tournament and the Bisbee's Black & Blue Tournament.
Around the clock recovery efforts ensured that Los Cabos was ready to welcome back visitors and sport fishing enthusiasts to officially kick off high season only a short month after the category 3 storm passed through the destination. Sold-out international flights have been arriving to Los Cabos since the reopening of the airport on Oct. 8; a true testament to Cabo's position as Mexico's premiere vacation destination.
"We are so thrilled to mark the reopening of Los Cabos with these prestigious and important sport fishing events," said Eduardo Segura, managing director of Los Cabos Tourism Board. "Sport fishing is an integral part of the history of Cabo; it is how this destination began. It is so fitting that we returned to our roots, in a sense, as we hosted two world-class fishing tournaments back-to-back to welcome back our valued visitors and friends."
This year marked the 16th Annual Los Cabos Billfish Tournament (Oct. 14-18), a world-class event well known for its environmentally-friendly format as it enforces the use of non-offset circle hooks when live-bait fishing, which ensures the best survival rate of the released fish. Team Reel Gold, a six-angler team hailing from Namibia, Africa, took first place in the tournament with a 365-pound blue marlin, winning over $100,000 in cash prizes. Owner of Reel Gold, Richard Matson, marked his 10th year fishing in the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament.
The Bisbee's Black & Blue tournament (Oct. 21-25), known as "The Richest Fishing Tournament in The World" has grown to be one of the largest paying fishing tournaments in Los Cabos; this year was no different, with over $2.2 million in cash prizes awarded to the winning teams. More than 900 anglers from multiple countries, ranging from Canada to Japan, participated in the 3-day tournament.
This year's tournament was centered on recovery for the destination post-Hurricane Odile, with the winning team - Team Casa Hogar - donating their $258,325 cash prize directly to Casa Hogar, a local, non-profit organization that provides food, shelter and education to underprivileged boys in Los Cabos. The team took home first place after landing a 385-pound blue marlin, the biggest of the tournament; team Sport Game took home second place with a 337 pound blue marlin.
Additionally, a hurricane relief fund was created with a $250,000 initial donation provided by an anonymous donor. All proceeds will help support residents and businesses of Los Cabos by providing emergency housing and emergency funds for charter boats. Families with limited resources will receive help rebuilding their existing homes and will be provided temporary shelter and transportation. Local charter boat owners will receive funds through gifts or loans to make the necessary repairs to their charter fleet. For more information about the Los Cabos Hurricane Relief Fund and the Bisbee's tournaments, please visit http://www.bisbees.com/los-cabos-hurricane-relief-fund/.
Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, is one of the world's most diverse tourism destinations. Boasting a dramatic desert backdrop nestled by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos is home to award-winning resorts and culinary offerings considered some of the finest available anywhere in the world. A growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, world-renowned sport fishing tournaments, and state of the art convention facilities add to the destination's unmatched appeal.
For more information, images and videos from Los Cabos, please visit www.visitloscabos.travel, follow us on Twitter @LOSCABOSTOURISM and visit us on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.
SOURCE: Los Cabos Tourism press release
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