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New Analyses Places Popular Beach Town As Number One International Spot For Americans
Cancun has retained its place as the most popular foreign destination for American tourists. Its place was confirmed in a new analysis by insurance giant Allianz.
Allianz generates a new list every year, using comprehensive research tools to analyze well over one million American itineraries for the summer. The insurance company only registers trips between five and eight days in length, so weekend getaways aren’t included in the figures.
Despite Cancun retaining its top spot, the numbers revealed that very few Americans have any intention of leaving the country this year. It was anticipated that there would be a huge rebound in travel, and although that seems true, three in four Americans will only be traveling domestically. It is unclear exactly how many intend to head abroad.
The popular resort town was joined in the top ten by several other Mexican destinations. San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, Cancun’s west coast competition also made it onto the list along with several major Caribbean destinations like Montego Bay, Aruba, and Nassau.
Cancun’s industry will be relieved to find itself on top, although it was expected for 2021. The pandemic halted the vast majority of tourism worldwide, but Mexico’s government chose a different path. The country never closed to tourism and refused to install any restrictions based on testing or vaccination status.
The country’s decision turned most of the country into a haven for many travelers. The industry, and Cancun’s in particular, exploded and turned it into one of the most sought-after destinations on the planet. Flights were added from around the globe, with countries like Russia, Spain, and the UK adding multiple direct routes from smaller airports as well as the major hubs.
The problem the country and Cancun face now is retaining that status. With competition destinations now dropping their own restrictions, tourists now have multiple options.
The Easter holiday period is a huge test and opportunity for Cancun and the rest of Quintana Roo. Over a million visitors have poured into the region, many for their first vacation in over two years. Rising crime, health and safety failures, and poor airport management have crept into the fold, giving many tourists some thinking to do before booking a trip to the Mexican Caribbean.
The government has brought in several new initiatives to counteract the issues faced by the region. Added security in the form of the Tourist security battalion and bolstered surveillance cameras are the most important addition for Cancun and Tulum. Several violent incidents in the past few months have seeped into the tourist experience, tragically leaving two dead back in 2021. Although the violence is rarely directed at tourists, its proximity to them and the sheer numbers are worrying for many. There have already been over 100 murders in the state this year.
Tourists themselves are being reminded not to break the law. The organized crime that plagues the area is mainly funded by the tourist drug market. It’s what makes Cancun such valuable territory. Now, as tourists enter through the airport, they are met with stark reminders of the consequences of breaking the law in Mexico, They are also being asked to sign a form when checking in to their hotels, acknowledging they understand that drugs are illegal in the area, and they run the risk of prosecution if caught.
It’s hoped that the combination of programs will help secure the region and allow the millions of tourists to enjoy it enough to return in the next season.
Tourists heading to Cancun over the next few days should still anticipate large crowds as the last of the Easter surge dissipates. Contacting any restaurants, activity providers, and hotels to ensure that all bookings are ready is stonily advised to avoid disappointment.
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