The new administration in Mexico is set to boost the country’s tourism sector, Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, tells Travel Agent.
“We definitely see it as being very encouraging,” Esponda says of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was elected as the new President of Mexico last month. “We believe that tourism is a critical component of Mexico’s economy.”
One major component of the new president’s campaign platform is a pledge to tackle the recent violence in the country, which aligns with Los Cabos’ recently implemented plan to beef up security within the destination.
“They have expressed that they want to elevate security, and as we know Los Cabos has been working on a specific action plan to make sure it remains a safe destination,” Esponda says.
Notably, Esponda says that Los Cabos has seen a 90 percent decrease in crime this year as a result of the new security plan. A new marine base in the area is already operational, with plans to add additional personnel ongoing. The destination is also continuing to expand its rapid response network, as well as strengthening different safety and security protocols among hotels and other tourism suppliers.
Esponda says that the new administration has also expressed a desire for more international connectivity, as well as to drive higher tourism spending. Los Cabos has seen an 8 percent uptick in air arrivals through the middle of this year, with hotel occupancy remaining at around 70 percent on average.
“That’s the level we want to achieve,” Esponda says.
The uptick in arrivals coincides with a number of new luxury hotel openings, with properties from Viceroy, Montage and Le Blanc all making their debut earlier this summer, and further openings from Solaz, Ritz-Carlton, Aman Resorts and Nobu on the horizon.
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