Mexico, Latin America's Development Boom

Those under the radar Mexico and Latin America destinations could be fleeting.

The common thread in this week’s portion of Mexico and Latin America news is the ongoing development of major tourist areas in Mexico and Central and South America, just another indication that this region is no longer under the radar.

During our ongoing coverage of the 2011 ASTA Travel Retailing & Destination Expo, Travel Agent got the skinny on several plans by Mexico and Latin America destinations to further expand offerings to North Americans from Ecuador’s plans for a new airport in 2013 to Puerto Vallarta’s plans to revamp it’s popular Malecon Puerto Vallarta.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced Monday that its Westin brand has marked a milestone with the opening of its 10th hotel in Latin America - The Westin Guadalajara. Starwood now has 10 Westin Hotels in Latin America, including seven in Mexico, and one in Guatemala, Peru and Costa Rica. Overall, Starwood Hotels & Resorts now has 66 hotels and resorts in 13 countries in Latin America.

The news comes on the heels of roughly 10 announced Marriott International projects for both Central and South America by 2016.

In fact, it seems as though pretty every major U.S. brand hotel is opening shop in the regions with Brazil, Costa Rica and Peru perhaps leading the pack of destinations with new U.S. developments planned.

These ongoing developments could prove to be a major factor in building product in an already-trendy region to vacation to simply because most Americans suffering through the economic crisis have found very affordable, high quality gems to take advantage of in these parts.

Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com as we keep a close on this ongoing Mexico and Latin American growth.