Impact of Government Tourism Packages on Small Hotels & Travel Agencies

Overview of tourist packages in a presentation showing prices and details for different trips including the "Tren Maya" and other cultural tours, highlighting discounts and inclusive of local attractions. CAPTION

The Federal Government's affordable tourism packages, which include airfare, hotel accommodation, tours, some meals, and transportation on the Maya Train, are aimed at boosting national tourism. However, these packages may negatively impact travel agencies and smaller, less luxurious hotels in these tourist destinations. These businesses often rely on domestic tourists as a significant source of income during the tourist season.

Key figures in the hotel industry and travel agencies, such as Abelardo Vara, Honorary President of the Cancun Hotel Association, have expressed concerns about the government's plan. They believe that the government's role as a business operator may not be successful due to its poor planning. Regardless, it could still harm small hotels, less luxurious hotels, and travel agencies. This is because tourists who purchase these packages will follow a set itinerary that does not contribute significantly to the local economy. When tourists travel with all-inclusive packages, they have already prepaid for most of their expenses, leaving little room for additional spending in the local area.

Domestic tourists typically play a significant role in revitalizing Mexico's tourist destinations. Small hotels, restaurants, and other service providers often benefit the most from domestic tourism. As such, the packages offered by the Federal Government may not truly benefit the tourist sites they aim to promote. Abelardo Vara suggests that these package offerings could impact the tourism industry, which is largely sustained by domestic tourists who travel to discover various destinations.

Some travel agents argue that while these cheap packages may attract more visitors to the region, they are not the solution to stimulate a larger influx of tourists. This is because the packages come with pre-set schedules that limit tourists' ability to explore and spend money at the destination. What is needed, they suggest, is more promotion to generate interest in these destinations, not just from domestic tourists, but also from international ones. However, there is currently no action plan to ensure Mexico's promotion on an international level. Vara has previously noted that Mexico is falling behind in this area, with no significant response from authorities, while other Caribbean destinations continue to benefit from Mexico's decreasing efforts to support the tourism industry.

The Federal Government currently offers ten tourism packages in its role as a business operator. These packages include two to four nights of accommodation, rides on the Maya Train, stays in government-owned hotels, visits to parks and museums also operated by the government, and airfare. These packages were launched in early December as a first-time initiative by the Federation to increase the number of visitors to the region. In Quintana Roo, packages to Tulum and the southern part of the state are available.


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