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Overview Huatulco Mexico Tourism Developments
Huatulco – Mexico’s Next Hot Spot? | By Jane Rogers from HVS
Enticing beaches, tropical forests, and a laid-back atmosphere make Huatulco a paradise, but one where hotel occupancy has been only modest. Improvements to access by land, sea, and air aim to make it easier for tourists to arrive.
Founded in 1985, Huatulco is one of the original Integrally Planned Resorts created by Mexico’s National Trust for Tourism Promotion (FONATUR). The resort development is situated on the Pacific Coast, approximately 172 miles from the state capital Oaxaca and 474 miles southeast of Mexico City. The site was originally chosen based on the natural beauty of its nine bays (the Bahias de Huatulco) and numerous small coves that stretch along 16 miles of coastline, inclusive of 36 white sandy beaches. The area also boasts mountains and valleys irrigated by the Coyula, San Agustín, and Copalita Rivers, as well as the Bahias de Huatulco National Park, a protected area covering 29,368 acres and nurturing some 9,000 plant species of the lowland tropical forest.
Despite its abundant charms, Huatulco has yet to reach its full potential, unlike Cancún, FONATUR’s first and by far most successful Integrally Planned Resort. Huatulco’s lodging options currently comprise approximately 2,600 rooms in various categories, a relatively low rooms supply that is set to expand dramatically in the next decade. While there are a handful of branded properties affiliated with very well-respected chains based in the United States, Spain, and Mexico, most of Huatulco’s hotels are small independently owned-and-operated properties.
Huatulco’s occupancy level has been much lower than that of the other resorts towns. What’s behind this discrepancy? It’s not that Huatulco lacks any inherent advantages; the answer rather lies in a corollary to the old real estate axiom regarding location, namely access, access, access. Huatulco has struggled with a Catch-22 common to many nascent destinations. Without good airlift, it is difficult to attract demand. Without demand, it is difficult to attract more airlift.
Ahorre October 23, 2009 12:07 PM