Los Cabos has recovered from Hurricane Odile, and it's not letting a new travel warning from the U.S. stop it from growing by leaps and bounds.
Tourism is booming, new resorts are on the way and experiences in the destination just keep getting better.
TravelPulse sat down with Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, to find out what is making this destination unstoppable.
TravelPulse: What is driving the momentum?
Rodrigo Esponda: We are growing at around 20 percent, and it has been growing all year long at this level. We are outpacing Mexico as a whole.
We have new hotel brands such as the Ritz-Carlton Reserve finished, and the Montage is getting ready to open. Los Cabos will also have the first Nobu hotel in Mexico.
Twenty projects are being built in the destination right now, which is approximately a $900 million investment.
TP: What has been generating this?
RE: First is that the destination is truly unique in many regards. It is a low-intensity destination but offers high-end service.
Our weather is favorable: We have low humidity and few mosquitoes.
Los Cabos also tries to have a low impact on the environment, creating a small footprint.
Right now, we are working to have more beaches. All of this, combined with its proximity to the U.S. is attracting more people.
TP: In regards to the travel warning, should visitors be worried?
RE: We need to reinforce the message that Los Cabos is safe. The pace of growth and the friendliness shows how safe the destination is.
We measure the level of satisfaction of tourists, and nine out of 10 people highly recommend Los Cabos and want to return soon. We also have a high number of repeat visitors already and they know the quality of the destination.
TP: How will you sustain the incredible growth you are seeing?
RE: We are balancing the growth with new development. We are growing between 10 and 20 percent, and we currently have nonstop flights from 22 gateways. We are all covered, but there might be a few more markets for which we need to add airlift.
TP: What new investments are being made from an infrastructure perspective?
RE: The airport is undergoing a renovation. We are adding a third terminal, which will be finished in 2018. The new construction represents a more than $50 million investment in infrastructure at the airport.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Culinary Chats: Meet Chef Ruelas of Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos[/READMORE]
New hotels that have been or are coming into the market have also added infrastructure including golf courses, condos and villas. The marina in Puerto Los Cabos has expanded and the Four Seasons is building its own marina as part of its hotel at Costa Palmas.
TP: Overall, why should Los Cabos be on travelers' radar right now?
RE: It is the best value they can get out of an international destination. Los Cabos offers a level of service that can't be found anywhere else for the price. Its proximity to the U.S.-on average a 2.5-hour flight-can't be beat.
The travel warning does not say that visitors should not come to Los Cabos. We are receiving millions of visitors, and they are enjoying going around and experiencing all the area has to offer.
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