Fonatur announced the opening of a new $70 million peso marina in Baja California Sur. The marina is to begin operation in August, 2006, and is part of the Mar de Cortez Project, formerly known as the "Escalera Nautica" (Nautical Ladder).
   The huge construction project envisions several marinas positioned along the Baja California coast that will accomodate sailing and motor yachts cruising Mexican waters. The plan is to attract more tourists via sea by opening anchorages along the coast. The marinas will permit extended cruising into areas previously accessible only to the largest ocean going vessels.
   The Mar de Cortez Project will create opportunities for small towns along the route to become new tourist meccas. According to John McCarthy, the director of Fonatur, La Paz is considered one of the favorite destinations among cruisers ultimately bound for Cabo San Lucas.
   Twenty-nine marinas are to be constructed as part of the Mar de Cortez Project over the next fourteen years, said McCarthy.