PUEBLA, Mexico --- With new seasonal airlift and increased demand, MLT Vacations is optimistic regarding business to Mexico, especially to the Pacific coast, according to Elizabeth Moriarty, vice president of product development.
"We know that Mexico is back and plenty of opportunities exist to bring more customers to the destination," Moriarty said.
MLT's team at Tianguis Turistico here reported new and increased airlift, including Delta upping its weekly flight between Los Angeles and Puerto Vallarta to daily service from July 6 to Sept. 30. The service will revert back to weekly after that, but "If the loads are good and demand is there, Delta could re-evaluate at the end of September," Moriarty said.
Delta also is upping its weekly service to twice-weekly between Los Angeles and Guadalajara on July 6, running through August.
Aeromexico plans to launch a weekly flight between Los Angeles and Huatulco from June 7 through Aug. 16 and three flights a week from Los Angeles to Cancun from June 7 to Sept. 8.
"The lift to the Pacific coast is great news for that part of Mexico, and it reflects the work the tourist boards and hotel partners have been doing to promote and market this region," she said.
Demand to the Pacific coast had dipped in the past, except for Los Cabos, due to reduced lift and high fares, but the new flights demonstrate that the region is coming on strong, according to Moriarty.
Also, Mexico's Caribbean coast, especially Cancun and the Riviera Maya, was "very competitive in its pricing from the package point of view, and there was more hotel capacity."
Mexico is MLT's largest destination, and the company works with Delta Vacations, United Vacations and Aeromexico Vacations in its package products, which currently cover 460 hotels and resorts, an increase of 6% year-over-year.
Expansion in the past few years has included new package offerings in Guadalajara, Oaxaca and Mexico City.
Follow Gay Nagle Myers on Twitter @gnmtravelweekly.
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Elizabeth Moriarty, vice president of product development's name. An incorrect spelling appeared in an earlier version.