Cancun may only be 34 years old, but it’s Mexico’s leading tourism
destination, with an estimated 3.1 million visitors every year.
Tourism officials are constantly trying to re-invent this “modern,
avant-garde, world-class version of paradise,” as the Cancun
Visitors and Conventions Bureau describes their city.
A number of projects are in the works to further enhance the
destination. Here is a roundup from the visitors and conventions
bureau of what’s coming in Cancun:
Construction is underway on the Grand Aqua hotel, which will be
operated by Fiesta Americana. The property will have 371 ocean-view
rooms, including 306 luxury rooms, 29 Grand Club rooms and 36
Deluxe suites. A spa is also planned, as well as four restaurants
and four bars, and 16,500 square feet of meeting space.
The shopping center Plaza Kukulcan is undergoing a complete
renovation, and will add a complex called Luxury Avenue, which will
feature designer boutiques such as Gucci, Mont Blanc, Fendi,
Swarovsky, Adora, and Max Mara. Plaza La Isla is investing
approximately $15 million to construct 50 new retail locations.
And a new mall, to be called Paseo Cancun Mall, will feature16
movie screens, a bowling alley, restaurants and shops.
In October 2006, Cancun will host the Mexican Caribbean’s first
Formula One race. The state of Quintana Roo is building a $100
million racetrack, with a 50,000-seat capacity that will also serve
as a concert venue. Construction is expected to begin within the
next few months.
Cancun is growing as a hub for flights to and from the U.S.,
Europe and South America. City officials in Cancun have signed
agreements with states such as Michoacan and Guanajuato to create
multiple destination travel circuits targeted to the European
travel market in particular. And at Cancun International Airport,
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste is considering a $50 million
investment to build a second runway that could serve up to 100
flights every hour. A new freight terminal and refurbishment of the
Executive Aviation Centre is also being contemplated.
www.cancun.info
