The Cancun Travel Mart, a premier marketing and networking event in the Mexican Caribbean, marked its 35th anniversary this year. The event has grown exponentially over the years, and this edition was no exception, boasting approximately 3,000 scheduled business meetings.
This year, the event witnessed participation from over 100 companies and 200 buyer-delegates hailing from 16 diverse countries, including Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Israel, Peru, United Arab Emirates, United States, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. These buyer delegates, primarily tour operators catering to the Mexican Caribbean market, interacted with 86 suppliers who brought along 240 delegates. These suppliers ranged from hotels, resorts, incoming agencies, and destination promotion entities to government organizations and other travel service providers based in Mexico.
The Cancun Travel Mart plays a pivotal role in bolstering destination marketing. It offers a platform for negotiations, discussions, and social events, focusing on upcoming vacation seasons. The primary aim is to ensure optimal occupancy rates for the organized hotel sector. Reflecting on its significance, the previous edition of the event announced the inception of the Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council. This council amalgamates the Associations of Hotels and Vacation Clubs across the state. During the last Tourist Tianguis, the council was officially established with Ms. Mara Lezama, the Constitutional Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, gracing the occasion as an honorary witness.
Given the substantial contribution of hotels in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres, which account for 10.4% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product and a whopping 53.2% of the state’s hotel GDP, the Cancun Travel Mart underscores the urgency to amplify budgets for tourism promotion. It’s imperative to ensure that the brands associated with these destinations remain top-of-mind for potential tourists.
During the event, FTNnews had the opportunity to interact with Jesús Almaguer Salazar, the president of the Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres. The conversation revolved around the primary source markets for Cancun travel and the average duration of stays by tourists from these markets. The insights from this discussion have been captured in a video, which readers can access below.
The Cancun Travel Mart, over its 35-year journey, has consistently reinforced its commitment to promoting the Mexican Caribbean. As it continues to bridge the gap between global buyers and local suppliers, the event promises to play an even more significant role in shaping the region’s tourism landscape in the years to come.
