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MAJOR HOTEL
BRANDS expand
inmexico
THERE’S POSITIVE NEWS on a
number of fronts when it comes to
the hotel scene in Mexico. Hotel
occupancy is on the upswing in key
destinations, and there’s some $1.5
billion dollars worth of activity in the
new hotel construction pipeline.
According to the research firm STR,
90 hotels presently in the planning
or construction stages in Mexico are
poised to add an estimated 12,000
rooms to the country’s hotel landscape between 2011 and 2015.
Here’s a look at some expansion plans in Mexico by major U.S.
brands.
Marriott International, Inc. is
among the major chains in the midst
of substantial expansion in Mexico.
The company plans to add 11 new
hotels and nearly 2,000 rooms to its
portfolio in the country.
“Mexico is one of the most
“We’re always down there. I think that’s the strongest statement I can
make in response to my clients’ safety
concerns about Mexico. I have agents
there twice per month walking around
the beaches, navigating the excursions
and activities. We speak to our clients
intelligently and with experience about
the security issues. Another factor is
that Mexico is an incredible value right
now. I had clients looking at a Bahamas
package for six nights at $1,800 per
person. But, they decided to book the
Riviera Maya instead, for $1,299 per
person, and it became a group booking. If you have confidence in answering
your clients’ questions about security in
Mexico, it can present a lot of opportunities right now.” — Lynn Farrell, president,
Foremost Travel & Tours, Chicago
agent-to-agent
SEE FOR YOURSELF
What it Means for Travel Agents
NEW CUSTOMER BASE
“You have brands coming in at a lower price point, because they are not necessarily on
the beach. These hotels are appealing to the customer who wants to design a vacation
themselves, as opposed to a packaged experience. That opens up a different customer
base, and agents should get on top of that.”
—Patrick Ford, President, Lodging Econometrics
BEYOND THE RESORTS
“Mexico is a big country, just like the U.S. It has a diversified economy with leisure
centers and corporate centers. Recognized brands are coming in throughout Mexico, and
this should really help travel agents, especially if they have customers interested in areas
beyond the resorts.”
—Jeff Lugosi, SVP, PKF Hospitality Research
important hotel markets in Latin
America. To date we have 18 hotels
open under five of our brands; we’ll
have 19 at the end of October with
the opening of the Fairfield Inn Los
Cabos and 22 by the beginning of
next year,” says Alejandro Acevedo,
VP of international hotel development
for Caribbean/Latin Ameria, Marriott
International.
In the works for Marriott are projects under the Ritz-Carlton, Marriott
Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn and Editions brands
in destinations including Los Cabos,
Mexico City, Toluca, Leon, Hermosillo
and Queretaro.
“Our global growth strategy has
been to open hotels in the gateway
cities and primary resort destinations,
and then expand within the country.
That strategy has been consistent in
Mexico and will continue to be the
case in the future,” said Acevedo.
Hilton Worldwide is also making
news with Mexico expansion plans.
The company opened Double Tree by
Hilton Queretaro and Hilton Garden
Inn Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas in 2011.
“Our commitment to expanding all
of our brands in Mexico is authen-
tic. We have 23 hotels and resorts
throughout Mexico, and by the end
of 2012 we anticipate opening an-
other eight hotels and resorts,” says
George Massa, VP and managing
director of development, Mexico, for
Hilton Worldwide.
