Gay Nagle Myers
Cancun’s 4.8 million visitors
in 2014 set a record, topping the 4.6 million who came for fun in the sun in
2013.
Jesus Almaguer, CEO of the
Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, expects nothing less for 2015.
“We’re confident that 2015
will be another record-breaking year for Cancun. With the rise in interest from
airlines from North America, the opening of new hotels and services and the
range of international activities and events this year, it’s safe to predict
another great year,” he said.
Average hotel occupancy for
the resort destination last year was 81.6%, up 6.6% over 2013, according to the
Cancun and Puerto Morelos Hotel Association.
The Mexican government plans
to invest more than $14 million in Quintana Roo this year to further support
the state’s infrastructure.
The projects include the
enhancement of five beaches in northern Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Holbox.
As Almaguer mentioned, Cancun’s
visitor tallies have gotten a big boost thanks to increased connectivity from
U.S. carriers, including Southwest, Alaska Airlines and Frontier and new
connections from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Philadelphia and Seattle.
Hotel demand is on the rise,
according to Almaguer, who cited recent remodelings and rebrandings, including
a $100 million renovation at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort and the
rebranding of Hotel Villa Rolandi to Zoetry Villa Rolandi in Isla Mujeres.
Hotels that debuted last year
included the Emporio Family Suites Cancun and the Royalton Riviera Cancun.
Luxury brands such as Tiffany
& Co. and Prada opened stores in Cancun, and the landmark Cancun sign in
Playa Delfines, which was unveiled in 2014, is forecast to attract more than
1.5 million tourists annually.