A group of Spain’s leading tour operators enjoyed a FAM trip to the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s most fashionable destination.
The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) continues its commitment to diversifying potential European markets.
The Riviera Nayarit, in alliance with Mexican flag carrier Aeromexico, welcomed representatives from four Spanish wholesale agencies from September 23-26. These agencies are business partners and are among the top generators of passengers for the airline.
Two of the agencies on the FAM trip were Virtuoso and focused on the luxury segment. Others were Nuba España, internationally recognized as one of the country’s leading custom tour operators, and Atlàntida Viatges, one of the most important representatives of this segment in the Catalan market. Also present were two other top generalist tour operators, Mapa Group Travel—which distributes its products through its network of Mapamundi agencies—and Zafiro Tours, a leading tour operator in the Spanish market.
The wholesale agents, accompanied by an Aeromexico representative based in Spain, enjoyed a three-day stay in the Riviera Nayarit. The hosts divided them into two groups, each having a comprehensive itinerary to help them experience their target product. The first group included representatives from Nuba and Atlàntida Viatges, who focused on the destination’s extensive luxury product; the second group included Mapa Group and Zafiro Tours, interested in the four- and five-star hotel product. The groups also explored the destination’s most charming locales, including either the magical town of Sayulita or San Pancho, the dazzling Marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, or one of the world’s most extraordinary locations: the Islas Marietas National Park and its famous Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach).
The Riviera Nayarit is currently on Aeromexico’s radar to expand European markets, since previous to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trend was already moving towards Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit. It is one of the three destinations in Mexico that generate the most seats from London via Mexico City.
As England remains under travel restrictions, Aeromexico recently announced new frequencies from Spain to Mexico starting in December of this year. Aeromexico will operate two new direct routes linking Madrid with the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey and the already existing Mexico City route. The Riviera Nayarit has strengthened connectivity from these cities both by air and land (in the case of Guadalajara), so these routes are expected to generate a good flow of Spanish passengers to the region.
“This familiarization trip turned out to be an unveiling of a spectacular destination. Spaniards tend to travel more to Southeast Asia, but the Riviera Nayarit can certainly stand up to those destinations,” were some of the comments made by the agents.
It is worth mentioning that the Riviera Nayarit was the only beach destination that Aeroméxico targeted on this familiarization trip, which also included Guanajuato, Mexico City, and San Miguel de Allende. These routes are open thanks to their connection with El Bajío and could create a multi-destination.
The Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Our hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments follow all the health protocols established by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Health and operate at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance.
The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) reaffirm their commitment to the strategic promotion of the destination. The entities are pursuing areas of opportunity and consolidating new markets to increase the number of incoming tourists with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit.