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While most of the Mexican Caribbean is experiencing a lull after the huge success of the summer season, it appears that bookings are already hotting up in anticipation of another busy winter.
One such destination with an impressive number of hotel reservations already booked is Playa Del Carmen, with 40 percent of bookings for December 2023 and January/February 2024.
After not experiencing as successful a summer as other areas like Cancun and Tulum, hoteliers are finding these numbers promising, in the hope that they can see out the year with as high hotel occupancy as possible.
September is usually a normal time of the year when bookings and reservations begin to build as tourists look for their next trip away after their summer vacation time.
Osner Arjona, president of the Association of Small Hotels of Playa del Carmen, highlighted, “Precisely from this month of September many of the tourists who come from North America begin to make their reservations; so we have already had a movement of reservations for the months of December, January and February”.
Playa Del Carmen has quickly become a strong competitor to the likes of the ever-popular Cancun, as more and more tourists are choosing it this year.
With a huge array of all-inclusive hotels and large resorts to choose from, it is no wonder that travelers from the United States are already making reservations for the winter season; both types of accommodation have become a growing trend for many due to their convenience and well-priced deals.
Vacation rentals are also a popular alternative for tourists, having countless options to choose from, each offering a unique way of experiencing and living in this popular city.
Credit can also be given to the work of the government, led by President Lili Campos, who has focused on advancing and improving the area for tourists and locals alike.
It was not so long ago that Playa Del Carmen had been in the headlines for the wrong reasons, with an uptick in crime causing a lot of worry and trepidation among visitors looking to book their next trip.
Now security and safety have become a number one priority for the area, and crime rates have lowered significantly, this is precisely the reason why Americans and other international tourists will be more willing to give it a try.
Another draw will be the sargassum-free beaches which have been reported for this time in Playa Del Carmen, with more than 27,558 tons of the smelly seaweed being collected, and 1,940 tons of sand being replaced, giving access to the most popular beaches in the area such as “El Recodo”.
Osner Arjona also highlighted that October in particular is the month that usually sees the greatest rebound in bookings for the area as it reaches ever closer to the busy winter season, where prices and deals grow exponentially for tourists.
This may be the reason why hotel reservations are already sitting at 40 percent, with many visitors looking to book in advance before it becomes more expensive.
When asked about the future of Playa Del Carmen, Arjona stated, “We congratulate the president and her entire team, without a doubt there have been many advances, many achievements (…) there is a long way to go, but I think the course is set and progress is being made”.
Playa Del Carmen seeks to not only be a popular choice in the winter months but all year round, with the government looking at ways to attract more tourism to the destination through various cultural events.
As they grow and expand their offerings for tourists, there may be a possibility of the city being integrated into the ‘Magic Neighborhoods’ program; a coveted title given to areas that are rich in cultural, historical and environmental significance and in turn generate more popularity to the area.
It is clear that Playa Del Carmen is doing everything in its power to cement itself as a go-to destination for travelers, and if the winter hotel bookings are anything to go by, there is certainly reason to be optimistic.
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