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Cancun is set to have a strong 2022 if TripAdvisor has anything to say about it. The travel website giant announced its most popular destinations in the world for 2022 and placed Cancun in the number three spot.
The website’s “Travelers’ Choice: Best of the Best” ranked the best reviews for destinations across the world and found Dubai coming in at number one, with London taking the second spot.
Cancun has shed its image as a party destination and is now home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Groups of all ages including families are flocking to the sunny destination as it truly offers something for everyone. All inclusive resorts line beautiful white sand beaches and offer endless gastronomic options. For those who want an authentic experience, areas surrounding Cancun dive into the rich history of the Mayan culture with countless tour options.
For Cancun to be sitting at the top end of lists full of heavyweights speaks volumes for the meteoric rise it has experienced in the last two years. Although always a popular destination, previous lists rarely found it breaking the top 20.
The pandemic shifted the tourism industry drastically, favoring those countries and cities with minimal restrictions and maximum freedom. Mexico’s decision to not enforce any major entry restrictions allowed a gargantuan flow of tourists into the country’s hot spots, and Cancun reaped the benefits. Cabo San Lucas, on the opposite coast also featured on the list, enjoying a similar surge to Cancun.
The winter period saw millions flock through Cancun, which has now led to a massive increase in COVID infections and a regression to the yellow level on Mexico’s epidemiological traffic light system. The restrictions mean that hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other businesses are forced to function at a reduced capacity, while bars and nightclubs are closed unless they begin to offer food in a clever workaround.
However, the tightened restrictions appear to be having little effect on the town’s popularity. Hotels are signaling an average of between 60 and 65% capacity – above the state-designated level. Some hotels have been given an extra 20% capacity if certain criteria are met, hence the higher figures. The city’s steady numbers validate its place on such a high-profile list.
Cancun isn’t the only city in the Quintana Roo region to receive some recognition. Tulum came in at number 4 on the top trending destinations list. The list honors destinations that have been making a big splash recently, and have shown a significant increase in popularity over the last few years.
Tulum fully deserves its spot alongside the likes of Dubrovnik, Cairo, Rhodes, And Majorca. The town is enjoying a massive growth spurt, attracting a different crowd from the hotel resorts in Cancun. Positioning itself as a Bali of the Caribbean, hipster cafes, yoga, and health spots are dotting this up-and-coming town.
Both Cancun and Tulum will be hoping their success continues well into 2022. The concern that Mexico’s restrictions are the biggest draw for the destinations is valid, and those coming from especially far afoot are not likely to make the Mexican Riviera their getaway of choice in the future. As more European beach spots relax their regulations over the course of the year, the prospect of an eight-hour flight may well be enough to scare off the transatlantic guests.
North American tourists are likely to be hanging around for the foreseeable future, and many hotels are betting on the region. Hilton, amongst others, has already invested over $2 billion into new accommodations across Quintana Roo, and it’s not likely to stop anytime soon.
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