Last week, Travel Agent spoke with Luis Villasenor, managing director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, to get the latest from the destination. One of the highlights of the conversation was that younger travelers are visiting Puerto Vallarta in larger numbers since the pandemic; these include multi-gen travelers, solo travelers, “work from vacation” travelers, wellness and yoga enthusiasts, travelers with pets, travelers and nature/eco-focused tourists. We’re also told that the destination continues to perform well with the LGBTQ+ market.
According to Villasenor, these positive indicators go to show how Puerto Vallarta has seized the opportunity to attract new demographics—specifically Millennial travelers—as well as niche interest segments that were not as significant prior to 2020 but are increasingly important. (Previously, he said, the destination was most popular with travelers aged 50 and older.) To that effect, the tourist board shared that, since June, international arrivals have been greater than those recorded for the same months in 2019. Additionally, since November 2020, Puerto Vallarta has recovered most of its 2019 flight routes from the United States and, now, Canada, on top of some that were discontinued in 2017 and 2018, prior to the pandemic.
Hotel News and Expansions
The high-tech Hotel Mousai offers all-inclusive experiences for adults (18 and over) at the only AAA Five Diamond-rated resort in the state of Jalisco. A new 72-room South Tower slated to open in November 2021. It will offer 12 connecting rooms, with each Penthouse Suite and eight Mousai Suites connecting with a room with two queen-size beds for larger groups traveling together. Dining outlets include DAO Chinese Restaurant, NOI Italian Restaurant and The Rooftop, an “uber-elegant beach club” with an infinity-edge pool and plenty of areas for lounging in and out of the pool.
Almar Resort Luxury LGBT Beach Front Experience added the 50-room Mantamar Tower in March. In addition, The Eden Pool & Lounge Garden was unveiled in April; it’s an ideal choice for travelers seeking new nightlife and entertainment options. The hotel is known for the trendy Top Sky Bar and sunset views at one of the liveliest venues on the famous “Zona Romantica.”
The all-inclusive Hilton Vallarta Riviera opened August 16 in the southern sector of Puerto Vallarta. Situated between the beaches of Bay of Banderas and the Sierra Madre Mountains, the 444-room hotel has 14 restaurants and bars, two infinity pools, a spa and more. In each of the rooms, guests will find sleek bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers; they also have private balconies and terraces overlooking the Pacific coastline.
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa in the northern hotel district is upgrading its 291 guestrooms and suites with private balconies, contemporary furniture and authentic Mexican handcrafted touches. Once complete, the Presidential Suite will be the top accommodation option with an expansive outdoor terrace with a breakfast nook, outdoor Jacuzzi and sun loungers. New dining venues are in the works, as well, including the fine dining venue L’Isola, offering surf and turf-style cuisine, and an expansion of Tiantang, offering a sushi bar and teppanyaki tables. Located just 10 minutes from the international airport, the resort is situated near the downtown area, including the famous oceanfront promenade of Malecon.
Other notable new hotel launches in 2021 taking place within Puerto Vallarta and its surrounding areas include Susurros Del Corazon – Auberge Resorts Collection, One&Only Mandarina and Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo.
Airlift News
The latest new and resumed flights out of the United States to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) include:
- Sun Country Airlines: Twice weekly from Dallas to PVR since June 4
- Aeromar: From McAllen, Texas launched on June 10
- Spirit Airlines: From Houston three times weekly, Dallas three times weekly, and daily from Los Angeles launched on July 1
- American Airlines: From Austin starting November 2 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
- JetBlue: New York City (JFK Airport) launching in Q1 2022
- Southwest: From Austin once a week starting March 2022
Good to know: Villasenor tells us that approximately 85 percent of tourism workers are vaccinated (but this also includes a portion of workers who did not always have access to the vaccine, as people as young as 16 may work in Mexico).
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