OPERATORS to Mexico are reporting a steady increase in visitor numbers to destinations beyond the popular resort of Cancun.
In response to this growth, many are expanding their programmes for 2000 with Airtours Holidays being the first mainstream operator to add Acapulco.
Renowned as an exotic hideaway for the rich and famous, Airtours sees it as an alternative to Mexico’s well established resorts.
Airtours marketing manager Vicky Wilby said:”Acapulco is a fabulous destination with a tropical beach life that is second to none and non-stop nightlife with a carnival atmosphere.”
The operator features 10 hotels in its Far and Away brochure for 2000 ranging from self-catering apartments to all-inclusive luxury resorts.
Puerto Vallarta on the west coast of Mexico is another area that is gaining in popularity. Cosmos features the resort in its Tropical Paradise brochure.
Cosmos senior product manager David Binns said:”Puerto Vallarta has more of a true Mexican feel than Cancun. Bookings to the resort are approximately 20% higher in 1999 than in the previous year.”
Cancun continues to be the most popular resort, mainly because it offers a well-established infrastructure at an affordable price. Sovereign marketing manager Steph Pritchard said: “Mexico represents excellent value for money given the variety of options available and is likely to be in demand for the foreseeable future.”
JMC is including six all-inclusive hotels in Cancun in its new Winter Beach Bargains brochure launched in October.
Growing demand for Mexico has seen operators expanding their programmes. For example, Unijet has added a new flight from Manchester in summer 2000 and introduced four more all-inclusive hotels in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
Jetset has also introduced Cancun for next year, with three hotels and flights by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic via Miami.
JMC: seven-night stay at the all-inclusive Club Las Velas, Cancun, leads in at £599 per person based on two sharing. Departing Manchester Airport December 11-17 1999.
Airtours: seven nights at the Acapulco Malibu, Acapulco, from £499 room only in May 1-7 2000, with charter flights from Manchester.
Jetset: lead-in price for seven nights at the all-inclusive Caribbean Village in Cancun is £849, sharing a twin room from April 30-June 29 2000. Price for a child under 12 sharing with two adults is £514. Flights are with British Airways direct or Virgin via Miami.