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| Hyatt Ziva |
With spring break on the horizon, Cancun is touting some new and soon-to-launch attractions. Mexico’s most popular tourist destination welcomed a record five million visitors in 2015. Officials hope to exceed those numbers by about four percent this year.
Tour operators and agent specialists see that as a worthy goal.
“I’ve been down to Cancun about nine times this past year. I’m always there checking out properties. If you take a look at the breadth of product, there’s nothing that comes close. You can’t beat the bang for the buck. The competition there ensures that there is going to be something for every type of client,” Tom Varghese tells Travel Agent.
Varghese’s agency, Travel Tom, has clients in Cancun every day of the year.
Jack Richards, president and CEO of Pleasant Holidays, is also enthusiastic about Cancun’s prospects.
“More than ninety percent of our business goes to three destinations in Mexico, Cancun, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. We’re up double digits already for the full year. Part of that is strong spring break and Easter holiday season full of kids,” said Richards.
Richards is particularly impressed with proactive steps to counteract concerns about the Zika virus. Among other things, he cites a February 16 position paper on the topic issued by the Mexico Tourism Board.
“I recently met with the new Secretary of Tourism. I was very encouraged with his position on the Zika virus and his interest in growing tourism,” Richards tells Travel Agent.
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| Hyatt Ziva |
Since opening in January, interest is definitely growing for Hyatt Ziva Cancun. It’s the brand’s second all-inclusive resort in the destination.
As the former Dreams Cancun, the property was “in need of some love,” said Amy McHugh, co owner of Dream Makers Vacation Services.
“Hyatt totally re-did everything. There’s a microbrewery on the property that will definitely appeal to a lot of guests. And they’ve taken the concept of coffee and pastries a bit further by offering an actual candy shop. The reviews came in really strong right away for this hotel. Lots of clients are already asking about it,” said McHugh.
As for new attractions in Cancun, visitors can check out the new Wax Museum in the Cancun Hotel Zone. It’s located in La Isla Shopping Village. And June 1 is the opening day for the Xenses Park. The new $20 million eco-park in the Riviera Maya promises a unique sensory experience that combines natural scenery with visual effects.
Also in June, Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun will add an outdoor area to its popular kidZ Club. The $2 million, 40,000 square-foot facility opened in June 2015.
Hotel guests also can take advantage of a new E-concierge App developed for the property.
The app lets guests book dining, spa treatments and water activities. It also provides help with social media postings. And a special group tool is especially helpful for wedding and other special occasion visitors. Guests will receive a special group code, giving them access to event schedules, alerts and real time itinerary changes, to make sure they’re always on top of things.