Most Popular Mexico Destinations for 2011 Holiday Travel Season

-- During our ongoing coverage of the 18th annual MLT University, hosted by popular tour operator MLT Vacations in St. Paul, Minn., Travel Agent chatted with Rodrigo Esponda, U.S. Midwest director of Mexico tourism, and learned what Mexico destinations are looking solid for the holiday season.

Although Esponda didn't share any specific booking information, he was able to tell us the three destinations in Mexico that have received the most demand for this upcoming holiday season.

"Hands down, Riviera Maya is number one," Esponda says. "It just continues to be a very popular spot for family travel and the hotels there are just great for families."

Coming in at a close second, Esponda says, is Los Cabos. Esponda says time shares and condominiums, as well as an influx of five-star resorts, has made the destination a hot commodity heading in the holiday season.

"The demand there is like no other," he says. "I have had calls from many people saying, 'Hey Rodrigo, can you help me out? The family wants to go to Cabo, but everything is booked.'"

The third most popular destination for the 2011 holiday season in Mexico is Puerto Vallarta, Esponda says. He says this is one of the best spots for families in Mexico, especially considering that it houses some of the best golf courses in all of Mexico for when fathers are looking for a little alone time. Also, Puerto Vallarta's close proximity to Riviera Nayarit gives families a lot to choose from.

MLT University officially kicked off Sunday and runs through Tuesday. Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for more updates from MLT University.