Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The 2024 Gala Puerto Vallarta – Riviera Nayarit, a key event for the region’s tourism industry, concluded with record-breaking participation and business connections. Over two days, tourism stakeholders interacted in just over 6,000 pre-arranged meetings, the highest number in the event’s history.
Wholesalers, hosted buyers from niche markets like romance, LGBTQ+, golf and medical tourism, and representatives from Central and South America participated in the meetings. Additionally, several Magical Towns in Jalisco and Nayarit showcased their offerings to encourage multi-destination tourism.
These interactions aimed to generate marketing and promotion strategies for upcoming seasons, identifying both opportunities and potential risks. Participants emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism experiences and attracting young travelers through events and concerts.
The distinct yet complementary offerings of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit were highlighted, along with the region’s strong security perception. Other competitive advantages discussed included diverse cuisine, Puerto Vallarta’s renowned LGBTQ+ events, and its popularity for romantic getaways.
The event saw 107 hotels connect with over 80 wholesalers from 13 countries, alongside 99 niche market companies, totaling 180 tourism professionals. Notably, Puerto Vallarta boasts excellent connectivity with North America, with several airlines announcing increased seat capacity.
Ms. Claudia Vanessa Pérez Lamas, Secretary of Tourism for Jalisco, emphasized the success of niche sections like romance and LGBTQ+, the Convention Center renovation, and the region’s strong hotel offerings. Mr. Luis Villaseñor, director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust, highlighted the event’s role in tailoring promotional strategies based on industry feedback.
The 2024 Gala Vallarta-Nayarit concluded with a renewed commitment for Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit to continue collaborating on joint advertising campaigns, leveraging their distinct yet complementary strengths.
