Puerto Vallarta’s tourism sector is looking exceptionally promising following the Gala 2025, a key industry event that brings together leading global players and regional suppliers. Over two days of productive meetings, the destination secured strategic agreements to maintain its position as a top tourism leader in Mexico.
Representatives from the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust engaged with key business partners to assess the impact of 2024’s initiatives and chart a course for 2025. Strengthened alliances with major wholesalers and partners in the United States and Canada will help increase North American bookings, the most crucial international market for Puerto Vallarta.
Meetings with industry leaders such as Expedia, Grupo Despegar/BestDay, PriceTravel, ALG Vacations, Beautiful Destinations, Hopper, Pleasant Holidays, and Sun Country, along with airlines including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, TAR, and Viva, reinforced commitments to boosting air connectivity and visitor numbers.
A key highlight was the joint meeting with Sunwing and WestJet, where executives discussed their ongoing merger and analyzed market trends. WestJet, the airline bringing the most Canadian travelers to Puerto Vallarta, reported a 4.13% rise in room nights and a 16% increase in available seats compared to 2023. Given current international conditions, additional Canadian flights are anticipated for the summer season.
International airlines collectively identified Puerto Vallarta as Mexico’s top-performing destination in 2025, prompting efforts to increase seat availability and drive competitive fares. Nationwide, wholesale agencies reported over 10% growth in sales to the destination, reinforcing its strong market demand. Targeted strategies are now in place to ensure Puerto Vallarta leads in occupancy rates during the upcoming Easter and summer vacation periods.
In addition to discussions with wholesalers and airlines, meetings took place with hosted buyers specializing in luxury, romance, and LGBTQ+ travel, as well as CONEXSTUR partners and wholesalers from Central and South America, who attended in collaboration with Volaris. An Advisory Board session with key international partners, including TripAdvisor and Expedia, provided valuable insights into tourism trends and opportunities for 2025.
Puerto Vallarta’s accolades in 2024 further underscore its appeal. The destination earned four Travvy Awards, ranked among the best small cities and beaches in North America by target=”_blank”>Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, and received recognition at Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards. It also remains one of the top 10 international destinations for American tourists, according to Tripadvisor data.
Beyond tourism partnerships, Gala 2025 also highlighted efforts to promote intra-state travel within Jalisco. Collaborative circuits with Guadalajara, Costalegre, and the state’s 12 magical towns aim to extend visitor stays and enhance economic benefits across the region.
During the event, Jalisco’s Secretary of Tourism, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, visited Puerto Vallarta International Airport to review progress on its second terminal. With an investment of 1.944 billion pesos, the terminal is designed for sustainability and will achieve LEED Gold Certification upon completion.
Gala 2025 successfully strengthened Puerto Vallarta’s position in the global tourism market, solidified key partnerships, and set the stage for continued growth. With strategic plans in motion, the destination is well-positioned for another successful year in 2025.
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