ASTA Mexico Summer 2012

Hotels & Resorts

According to tourism officials, an estimated $1.5bn will be spent on new hotel developments in Mexico over the next five years. This includes around $500m by InterContinental Hotels Group to create 47 new properties. Starwood Hotels & Resorts will be adding three Mexican properties to its existing 23, while Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide each have several new hotels in the pipeline.

Major new all-inclusives include Secrets Huatulco, Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa, Secrets Vallarta Bay and Ambar Puerto Vallarta, the first new-build in downtown Puerto Vallarta in several years. In addition, Cancun Palace, Vallarta Palace and Aventura Spa Palace will bere-flagged as Hard Rock Hotels, featuring music memorabilia-decorated suites.

With UNESCO adding Mexico’s cuisine to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, food and cultural travel has exploded, says Sylvie Laitre, director of Mexico Boutique Hotels. “Many of our hotels are promoting local cuisine and art, and several offer opportunities to connect with locals by volunteering in community programs.”

Luxury trends, such as swim-out suites, beach butlers, beach beds, swim-up bars and 24-hour room service, as well as tech amenities like wi-fi and iPod docking stations, have also made their way into many Mexican resorts.