Puerto Vallarta wrapped up the summer season on a high note, enjoying a highly successful vacation period with hotel occupancy averaging around 80% on weekdays, and up to 90% on weekends. The influx of visitors through various means underscores the thriving phase the tourist destination is experiencing.
As the summer vacation season came to a close over the weekend weekend, the results were nothing short of encouraging. Christian Preciado Cázares, the Director of Tourism and Economic Development, highlighted the widespread benefits that have reached various tourism service providers. His department has supported and encouraged them to maintain the highest levels of service quality, in line with the directives of Mayor Professor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez.
“Occupancy rates have held steady, at between 80% and 85% since July, and some family-run hotels even exceeded 90% occupancy on weekends. Additionally, weekdays saw the arrival of groups of students and young adults from the metropolitan areas of Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, the Bajío region, and Mexico City, all of which contributed to the overall strength of the tourism sector,” expressed Cázares.
The official added that according to information provided by Cryshtian Amador Lizardi, the director of the International Airport, “Puerto Vallarta continues to break records. From January to July, over 4.2 million tourists have arrived by air. In the week of August 14 to 20 (the most recent data), a total of 107,997 passengers arrived, with over 40% of them on international flights.”
The Municipal Tourism Director also revealed that the international cruise segment has shown growth. This year, the destination anticipates 203 cruise ship arrivals; in the first half alone, they brought more than 350,000 passengers. The vast majority of these passengers disembark to explore the destination, leading to increased economic contributions. The target is to significantly surpass last year’s figure of 530,000 cruise passengers, aiming for over 700,000 in 2023.
“There has also been a 15.3% increase in tourist boat activity in the first half. We have data indicating that 343,666 individuals enjoyed bay cruises. Furthermore, private boat rentals have seen a 6.7% uptick, serving 21,481 individuals. These figures are based on data provided by the Administration of the National Port System in Puerto Vallarta,” the director added.