There are two sides to Mexico: its big all-inclusive resorts, and its quieter colonial towns and historic sites. Here Janine Kelso takes a look at the all-inclusives; in part two she looks at cultural tourism in Mexico.
Mass tourism rules in the Mexican resorts of Cancun, Acapulco and Cozumel, which are crammed full of North American tourists who choose to stay in one of the many all-inclusive properties on offer there.
The beaches are stunning, with miles of pristine white sand, overlooked by a raft of wall-to-wall properties in an area known as the Zona Hotelera. Staying here, it’s easy to forget that you’re in a Spanish-speaking country.
Cosmos reintroduced Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Playacar, Puerto Morelos and Riviera Maya into its programme for 2008 and it is already its second top-selling,
long-haul destination.
Most of the 22 hotels featured are three to five-star all-inclusive properties, popular with families and couples.
Cosmos product manager Alison Pritchard said: “We find that all-inclusive properties work best in the Caribbean and the same applies to Mexico. But I think there is more culture in Mexico compared with a Caribbean island, such as the Dominican Republic, which just has a beach.”
Hotels run Mexican-themed nights and, while most all-inclusives are large but lacking in character, some properties such as the five-star Valentin Imperial Maya are decked out in a colonial style.
Pritchard says the majority of visitors to lively Cancun are groups of young people from North America, while nearby quieter resorts Playa del Carmen and Playacar attract more Europeans.
Clients who stay at all-inclusive resorts can easily visit cultural sights, such as Chichen Itza, which, at 100 miles away, makes a popular day trip from Cancun.
Sample packages
Cosmos offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at the five-star Valentin Imperial Maya Hotel, Cancun, for May 21 departure, including flights and transfers.
Kuoni offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort Cancun for £1,524 per person twin-share in May, including flights and transfers.
- Related training:Secrets, Dreams and Sunscape Resorts and Spas on TWacademy
