Cruises, hotels & ziplines: the evolution of Acapulco

Long synonymous with Mexico resort escapes, Acapulco continues to evolve with a number of new developments in store for the coming years, including new hotels and its inclusion as a port of call in a new cruise product.

Representatives of the Acapulco Destination Marketing Office and Mexico Tourism Board met with agents in Toronto during an exclusive event last night, providing an update on the destination. In addition, representatives from Alba Suites Acapulco and Sunwing were also on hand to share product updates; with Acapulco posting 15 per cent seat growth from Canada in 2018 year-over-year, those numbers will continue to climb with Sunwing’s new flights from Toronto, operating Wednesdays from January until mid-March.

READ MORE: The new Acapulco comes north

“Mexico is very rich in destinations with something for everyone – in Acapulco, we have beaches, history and gastronomy,” said Piquis Rochin, international promotion director, Acapulco Destination Marketing Office.

What’s new

According to Rochin, Acapulco will be among the ports of call for Cruise and Maritime Voyages, a new cruise product sailing along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Sailing this winter, the cruise will call in major ports along the country’s west coast including Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Mazatlan.

Air arrivals continue to increase as well, Rochin said, thanks to the recent opening of a new terminal at Acapulco International Airport.

Thrill-seekers will also have a new feature to enjoy with Xtasea, the world’s longest zipline spanning 1,800 metres and speeding guests – Superman-style – at 120 km/h above the waters of Puerto Marques Bay.

While details are yet to come, Acapulco will also see up to seven additional hotels constructed between 2025 and 2032 by chain Mundo Imperial, Rochin said.

And with tourism an important part of Mexico’s economy, Rochin said that Acapulco will host a new tourism university, to ensure that the destination’s hospitality sector is well-prepared for the continued influx of visitors.

“Tourism in Mexico is very important and working in tourism is a university in itself – you learn every day of your life,” Rochin told PAX. “But for the younger generations, we need schools to teach them what we have learned in practice.”

Mexico on the grow

Cesar Mendoza, the Mexico Tourism Board’s regional director for Canada, told PAX that Acapulco’s continued growth is part of a wider trend across Mexico.

“Acapulco is a destination that has been growing a lot in Canada year over year. In 2017 versus 2016, growth was 13 per cent; another 18 per cent this year,” Mendoza said.

For Mexico overall this winter, Mendoza said, “we’re looking at an increase of between 11 and 13 per cent, based on number of seats are partners are recording coming into Mexico.

“We’re really happy with the performance of Mexico this year; we’re about to break the mark of 2 million Canadians visiting this year so we want to keep those numbers growing.”