Yes, it is no secret that Mexico has its fair share of travel-related woes, but we continue to remain firm in our beliefs that the destinations to where you will be sending your clients are safe, safe, safe! How do we know this? Because we have been there, and will continue to go there without fear.
Later this week Travel Agent will be heading out to Cabo San Lucas to take a first-hand look at the properties in the Solmar Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Earlier this year we were in Puebla, Mexico City and Cancun where we both toured and stayed at top hotels (think Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel & Towers in Mexico City; Paradisus Cancun; Hard Rock Hotel Cancun; and La Purificadora in Puebla). Our verdict? Mexico's tourist destinations are safe and as beautiful as ever.
What can you expect next week? We will be staying at Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa, where we will experience their new wine making and tasting experience at La Roca restaurant. The resort opened in May 2011 and completed phase two in December. Phase three will continue throughout 2013 and into 2014, Travel Agent learned this year at the 38th Annual Tianguis Turistico event in Puebla. At the completion of phase two, the resort marked its grand opening, along with the opening of Building B, with 27 oceanfront suites. Two new spa cabanas were completed in march, as well. Building C will be completed in April 2014, with an additional 72 suites all with full kitchens with marble counters, in-villa dining and spa services, private terraces, a separate sitting area, luxury bathrooms and more. Phase three will also include an adults-only pool and a children's pool area, both with waterside. In addition to this property, Travel Agent will also visit Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa, part of the Solmar collection.
But the news coming out of Los Cabos does not stop there. Travelers to Los Cabos will see the number of seats flying there increase by 44,000. As of June 2, Southwest Airlines will begin daily service between Auston-Bergstrom International Airport and Los Cabos through AirTran Airways. AirTran recently added a direct flight from Denver. Spirit will launch non-stop service from Dallas/Forth Worth in June, as well. The new flights will operate four times per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday). The destination is also gearing up to welcome brand-new luxury resorts to the destination.
"There are 1,500 rooms under construction over the next two years," Eduardo Segura Vehovec, managing director of Los Cabos Tourism told Travel Agent at this year's Tianguis Turistico event. "Los Cabos is not looking for mass tourism. We are looking for quality."
Jack Nicklaus will also be a new resident of Los Cabos, as he is brought on to design the Quivira Golf Club, a $40 million investment and part of an exclusive residential development in the area.
Stay tuned to www.travelagentcentral.com for our on location coverage from Los Cabos.