Whether it turns out to be a successful venture or not, Cancun’s tourism sector representatives have always had a habit of jumping on a niche market bandwagon before the rest of the country follows suit.
For years, the destination in Mexico has dominated the Weddings and Honeymoons market but has never shied away from adding other specific markets to its arsenal.
After all, Cancun has never appeared content on just pitching its romance offerings. In fact, from it aggressiveness in recent years, the destination perhaps want to dominate just about every offering the travel industry comes up.
The latest?
The gay and lesbian sector.
The International Expo & Business LBGT recently announced that the popular Latin American marketing event targeting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) market is slated to take place September 6 – 9 in Cancun.
"Cancun is Mexico's most popular tourism destination with the LGBT market, and we make every effort to improve and enhance our products and services to this very important market," said Jorge Tellez, promotion director at the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We will be working with all delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and LGBT visitors to ensure this is a valuable and worthwhile experience to all event attendees."
Last year, the Medical Tourism Association of Cancun and Riviera Maya, together with the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Cancun Hotel Association, and the Riviera Maya tourism board, promoted the Mexican-Caribbean as the new medical tourism destination in Latin America, under the World Medical Tourism Congress, which was held in October.
As part of this event, 10 hospitals within the Mexican Caribbean announced Cancun and Riviera Maya as the hosts of the First National Congress of Medical Tourism, to be held in April of this year. The event will take place in conjunction with leading institutions within the medical tourism industry from the United States and Canada.
“For elective procedures or treatments not covered by the system, going to Mexico is brilliant,” Ben Gritzewsky of Frosch Travel in Houston, TX, told Travel Agent at the time. “The costs are a fraction of what they are north of the border, the facilities are state-of-the-art, and Mexican caregivers are highly trained professionals and among the warmest and most compassionate people in the world.”
Here are some other recent attempts by Cancun – and its resorts - to enter specialized markets.
Cancun Offers Travel Guides on Smartphones
Back in July, the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau released the new Cancun Mobile Guide allowing tourists to access information about local services and attractions within the destination from their cellular phones.
The Cancun Mobile Guide, operated by Grupo Cerrando Circulos, is an application made especially for smart phones, which gives clients the opportunity to download travel guides on their phones, with a menu that includes: general information, things to do, information on “Cancun and the Treasures of the Caribbean,” promotionsand searches for other services.
The Ritz-Carlton Cancun Attracts Dog Lovers
Back in June, dog-loving guests stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, were able to bring back home more than fond memories and made a difference while on vacations. Luxury travelers were able to volunteer one morning to connect with Rescate Malix, a nonprofit animal rescue organization.
Guests paid a $39 dollar donation to Rescate Malix for the pleasure of grooming and bonding with these adorable four-legged friends. Once a month guests can visit Rescate Malix’s Rescue & Awareness Center where they will get to wash, groom and exercise the adorable animals that have been rescued from living in the streets.
The Ritz-Carlton Cancun Pushes Volunteer Tourism
Back in 2009, we took part in the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun’s Mayan Acquaintance Experience, which had guests contributing some manual labor for a good cause. We spruced up a schoolyard for the poor Mayan community about an hour from Cancun. The community could neither afford the manpower nor the supplies, and that’s where Ritz-Carlton stepped in. For roughly $115 per person, guests volunteer for a full day’s work, doing everything from painting rocks, weeding and mixing concrete to lifting boulders.
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