Mexico’s tourism sector continues to show strong signs of growth, according to multiple attendees at Tianguis Turistico, Mexico’s annual tourism conference.
The 48th edition of the event — which took place April 8-12 in Acapulco at the Expo Mundo Imperial convention center’s massive exhibition hall — generated more than 35,000 business appointments, according to organizers, with some 1,115 buyers and 833 businesses from around Mexico and abroad.
For Acapulco as a host city, the event was especially meaningful, as it provided an opportunity to showcase the city’s ongoing recovery from a destructive hurricane last October.
“The fact that Tianguis Turistico has returned to its home, Acapulco, is very important, since it represents a commitment,” said Aida Perez, operations director for Tourism Promotion Trust of Acapulco. “It’s a commitment by the entire nation to continue supporting Acapulco after the very difficult situation that was Hurricane Otis; the commitment by the businesspeople to invest as quickly as possible to have hotels and restaurants ready to receive the ‘tianguistas’ [Tianguis attendees]; and, of course, the commitment of local people to help Acapulco stand up — to demonstrate that, despite the fact that there’s still much work to be done, Acapulco is already ready to receive visitors with the warmth that the city is known for."
Despite the fact that there’s still much work to be done, Acapulco is already ready to receive visitors with the warmth that the city is known for.
Indeed, attendees got to witness Acapulco’s recovery while staying at recently reopened hotels and socializing at recently reopened restaurants and event venues.
“Tianguis was a slightly scaled back event this year, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants,” said Ethel Hansen Davey, a travel consultant for Ontario-based Uniglobe Enterprise Travel. “My thoughts go to the thousands of people in Acapulco who lost jobs as a result of the storm. Hotels, restaurants and shops are such an important part of this city. I was so glad Tianguis chose to support Acapulco by choosing to keep the event there. Goodness knows, the revenues generated will be a real shot in the arm.”
Mexico’s Latest News on Destinations, Flights, Hotels and More
The event also provided a platform for sharing tourism news from around Mexico. Here’s the latest:
- In April, Aeromexico revamped its frequent flyer program, changing the name from Club Premier to Aeromexico Rewards and featuring new benefits such as non-expiring points. In addition, starting in August, the airline will launch new nonstop service linking Monterrey with Seoul, South Korea.
- The Fiesta Americana Travelty agent rewards program is being revamped to improve productivity, commission reviews and rewards redemption for its portfolio of 32 properties in Mexico and the Caribbean.
- Marriott marked its debut in the all-inclusive sector with the recent opening of Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort. Also in the works for Marriott is the August opening of Almare, a Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort, Isla Mujeres, which will have a spa.
- New developments in Guadalajara include the recent completion of expanded airside food and boarding areas at the city’s Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport. In addition, a new, second runway is scheduled to be completed during the first half of this year, and the airport is now home to the recently opened, 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Guadalajara Airport, which is the brand’s 15th hotel in Mexico. Hilton also has announced plans to open Canopy by Hilton Guadalajara in 2028.
- Hamak Hotels, which debuted Hotel Volga late last year, continues to expand its presence in Mexico with the April opening of Alexander in Mexico City and the summer 2024 opening of Hotel Tropicana Los Cabos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in San Jose del Cabo. The company has also taken over management of Numu Boutique Hotel San Miguel de Allende, a member of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection.
- Additional new hotels in the Baja California peninsula include Grand Velas Boutique Hotel Los Cabos, which opened earlier this year, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol, which is set to open in May. Farther north, the city of La Paz recently welcomed the 115-room Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortes, an IHG property.
- Grupo Xcaret continues to introduce new elements to its portfolio in the Riviera Maya. Recent additions include Toboganxote, a raft waterslide at Xcaret’s Xplor park that’s billed as having Latin America’s largest water vortex, and Xenses Insomnia, a nighttime entertainment experience that opened earlier this year at Xenses park.
Baja California is the host destination for next year’s Tianguis Turistico, which will take place April 28 to May 1, 2025.
