2017 Cancun Travel Mart Wraps $3.5 Billion In Sales

Organizers of the Cancun Travel Mart, Mexico Summit 2017 announced they had wrapped up their 30th edition with an expected $3.5 billion in sales, a number similar to that of 2016.

Along with the stability in rates and negotiations, this was very welcome news, especially in light of the recent travel warnings issued by the US State Department and the increase in number of rooms, according to Carlos Gosselin, president of the Cancun and Puerto Morelos Hotel and Motel Association.

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The event also confirmed the participation of 313 buyers and 332 providers for a total of 645 delegates; 93 stands; and over 3,500 confirmed business meetings—not counting those taking place outside of the Cancun International Convention Center, which were numerous.

Tour operators and wholesalers included companies from Mexico, the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, the UK, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Romania, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

During an informal press Q&A he offered at the end of the event, Gosselin also commented that the issue of safety was not a formal topic of conversation with any of the tour operators present. He added that he had given many interviews during the event, but the issue was addressed infrequently and was not the main concern of those he spoke with.

Secretary of Tourism Enrique de la Madrid noted during the inauguration event that, to date, Mexico had already received 26 million foreign visitors, which represented a 12% increase over 2016. The number of US travelers arriving by air in itself had increased by 11.4%.

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Tourism news in Cancun and the Riviera Maya included:

—The presentation of plans for the $840 million-dollar Amikoo amusement park.

—The opening of the hit musical “Rock of Ages” at the Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa.

—The new Panama Jack Resort liaison with Playa Hotels and Resorts—the family-friendly Panama Jack Resorts Gran Caribe Cancun and the Panama Jack Resorts Gran Porto Playa del Carmen.

—Top-to-bottom renovation news from the Seadust Cancun Family Resort (formerly Great Parnassus).

—The addition of a new signature restaurant at the adults-only Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel.

— Renovations at the nearby family-friendly BlueBay Grand Esmeralda property.

—The opening of the Hotel Xcaret in Riviera Maya.

—The opening of the massive Puerto Cancun Marina Town Center earlier this year.

—The renovation of Kukulcan Plaza shopping center.

—The multi-million dollar remake of Temptation Resort & Spa Cancun.