Fall Trends in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

Moon Palace
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort

With Labor Day approaching, Travel Agent is looking at fall trends in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

“Now is the time to book holiday travel and winter vacations, since the resorts still have their early (EBB) booking bonus rates available for another week or two. The EBBs represent a significant savings and prices will spike once they're gone,” Gina West, regional sales manager, northeast USA for Apple Vacations, tells Travel Agent. 

Pamela Ott is selling a mixture of eco-resort, luxury and all-inclusives in the region. Ott is director of romance and special events at Wild Side Destinations and Destination Weddings.travel.

“So far, fall trends include lower rates, more availability, free nights, air credits, potential upgrades and resort credits,” said Ott.

Luckily for travel specialists, “expansion is contagious in Cancun,” she added.

“Several all-inclusive brands are making their mark on new travelers by offering sensuality, sophistication, adults-only, family concierge and redefined personal experiences in the areas of cultural and eco-travel,” said Ott.

A highly-anticipated new property will open on the Riviera Maya November 1. The adults-only Secrets Akumal is located on a white sand beach around a bay protected by reefs. Akumal is Mayan for “place of the turtles,” and turtles continue to lay their eggs along area beaches.

SEARM El Patio

“Secrets Akumal is definitely the hot new resort that everyone is anxiously waiting to see. The owners also own the always-full and very popular Secrets Maroma. Secrets Akumal is similar in design to Secrets Maroma but with more dramatic swim out rooms and more space for larger meeting and incentive groups too,” said West.

Guests of Secrets Akumal enjoy complimentary greens fees at nearby Riviera Maya Golf Club. Kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving tours are available as well.

For underwater attractions of a slightly quirkier kind, the Cancun Underwater Art Museum (MUSA) has announced nine new additions. These new sculptures will be submerged during September and October. They’ll join the underwater galleries holding more than 500 statues.

Marine life continues to grow in and around the submerged sculptures since the museum’s opening in 2010.

In addition to hotel openings and expanded attractions, there’s culinary news from Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort.

The expansive property’s 15 dining venues already offer an array of Mexican and international dishes. But Moon Palace has announced some additions to its food and beverage lineup. Among them: a new executive chef to help oversee specialty dining options. Chef Juan Zahoul Retes will be executive chef of Lebanese specialties. He’ll incorporate traditional Lebanese dishes into menus at the Cancun property.

It’s a move in keeping with a recent observation of Frank Corzo, vice president of U.S. field sales for Palace Resorts

“One of the top selling points about our brand is that we cover a kaleidoscope of demographics. We really have something for everyone,” Corzo tells Travel Agent.

Later this month, agents will learn more about those selling points first hand. The Palace Resorts' second annual Global Conference will take place in Cancun from September 27-30.

In addition to keynote speakers and hot industry topics, the event will recognize top producers at an awards ceremony.