Mexico’s Pacific Treasure is among Mexicans’ favorite destinations for travel in the upcoming summer season, according to a report by online travel agency Despegar Mexico. Despegar warned, however, that international travel will still have some restrictions.
The Riviera Nayarit shares that prestigious ranking with neighboring Puerto Vallarta, five other beach destinations—Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Huatulco, Acapulco, and Ixtapa—, and CDMX (Mexico City).
“We are anticipating a very successful summer season, with hotels at 65% (according to operating capacity, which is 70%). We also expect a rebound in North American tourism eager to travel after the Covid-19 restrictions,” said Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Nevertheless, he added, it is important for the destination not to lower its guard. The fact that there are more possibilities to travel does not mean the easing of restrictions. On the contrary: biosecurity protocols will continue to be applied at the airport and in the destination’s hotels.
In this regard, Alejandro Calligaris, Country Manager for Despegar Mexico, recently stated in the national media that interest in traveling exists and will grow “as travel is allowed without the need for quarantines or testing.” However, he also reiterated that although beaches will be the most benefited, city and business destinations will continue to suffer the ravages of the pandemic.
According to the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) report, this summer—including July and August—could register between 18.6 and up to 23.5 million travelers. This figure would be 17 to 48% higher than the same season in 2019, before the pandemic, when around 15.9 million people went on vacation. Meanwhile, there are 10 million 697 thousand airline seats budgeted for the domestic market for said season, an increase of 3.8 million compared to the same period last year.
