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In pictures of and travel brochures for Cancun, the strip of hotels in what’s known as the Hotel Zone is an iconic image.
Development of the resort town began in 1970, and in the years since, Cancun has grown exponentially as a playground for beach lovers worldwide.
Cancun may have even grown to capacity, as according to reports, the latest Cancun hotel to be built, the Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, will be the last of its kind in the region due to space constraints.
The Hyatt Vivid Grand Island
The new Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, one of two resorts that are part of the larger Grand Island Resort Complex, just opened this month.
It’s a massive all-inclusive hotel with 400 spacious suites, 11 restaurants, six bars, and a beach club.
It also has a huge rooftop pool, purportedly the longest in the destination.
The Massive Grand Island Resort Complex
Within the Grand Island resort complex, there are even more amenities available to guests of the Hyatt Vivid Grand Island.
The complex is being built in two stages, the first of which is complete.
Once totally complete, the complex will have over 200,000 square feet of pools, a more than 160,000 square foot lagoon, and a total of around 2,000 accommodations.
Cancun – From A Small Fishing Village To A Booming Resort Town
Prior to Cancun becoming the booming resort town that it is today, it was just a small fishing village.
Although the development of Cancun began in 1970, it didn’t technically become a city until Quintana Roo became a state in 1974.
Before 1970, it was occupied by only around 100 Mayan people.
Cancun Over The Last Decade
Over the last decade, Cancun really started to take off as a preferred vacation destination.
Now Cancun has become so popular that it’s become nearly overrun with massive hotel properties lining the famous Hotel Zone.
Along this stunning coastline, you’ll find the most well-known hotel brands featuring luxurious resorts filled with amenities, a much different destination from what it was just 50 years ago.
Cancun’s Ripple Effect Throughout Quintana Roo
Cancun’s growth didn’t just stop in Cancun but spread throughout the Mexican Caribbean and the state of Quintana Roo.
Today, several amazing vacation destinations line the coast.
Some that have grown immensely in popularity include Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Tulum, and several others are making a name for themselves too, including the towns of Bacalar and Akumal.
What’s Next For This Beloved Vacation Destination
With not much room left to continue building massive resort complexes, you won’t see more Hyatt Grand Island-sized resorts popping up.
Resorts that are already there can be updated, though, so changes will likely continue to take place over the years.
Cancun will undoubtedly continue to be a favorite vacation destination among international travelers as well.
How The Tourism Future Looks For The Rest Of The Region
It’s very likely that with Cancun becoming overgrown with hotels the other surrounding destinations, known collectively as the Riviera Maya, will continue to grow.
The addition of the Maya Train, which when completed will travel all along the coast, will no doubt further this growth.
So although there may not be any new sprawling resorts in Cancun’s future, you can be sure that the entire region will continue to be popular for years to come.
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