The president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Services (Canaco ServyTur) of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, José Luis Luna Durán, announced that the Holy Week and Easter holiday season did not meet the expectations of some business owners affiliated with the organization he represents. Meanwhile, his counterpart in the municipality of Petatlán, Baltazar Vázquez Novoa, asserted that this period revitalized the economy for all businesses in the municipal seat, “due to religious tourism and because, for the first time in many years, we had an expo fair that benefited everyone.”
Yesterday, Friday, in a telephone interview, Luna stated that, so far during the Holy Week and Easter holiday season, the overall results for affiliated businesses are positive, although the outcomes varied depending on the specific business sector.
Luna Durán explained that, while there was a considerable influx of visitors to the destination, expectations were not met uniformly for all businesses. “Fortunately, it went well, but it wasn’t the season we were expecting. It’s a family season; some sectors did very well, others didn’t do badly, but it wasn’t what we had hoped for.”
The business leader detailed that the profile of the tourist who arrived in the port during this period sought an experience closer to local and family life. “It’s more focused on coming to see, to learn more about the culture, the social scene here in Zihuatanejo; to stroll along the Paseo del Pescador boardwalk, to patronize the food stalls at the municipal sports field; it’s more family-oriented, it’s a different kind of tourism,” he specified.
Regarding the promotion of the destination for the coming months, the head of the Chamber of Commerce (Canaco) emphasized the coordinated effort between the different levels of government and the private sector to maintain the competitiveness of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. “Promotion hasn’t stopped, both from the state government, the governor, and our mayor, Lizette Tapia, as well as from business owners,” he stated.
Luna Durán indicated that the sector’s objective “is to consolidate Zihuatanejo as the number one tourist destination in the state of Guerrero,” and that they will continue working toward the upcoming summer season.
Separately, also via telephone, the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Petatlán, Baltazar Vázquez Novoa, noted that, in this assessment of the vacation season up to Thursday, there has been “a significant improvement” in the organization of local activities, which has allowed for a recovery of the municipality’s image among visitors.
Vázquez Novoa emphasized that the development of the local fair has exceeded expectations compared to previous years. “It has improved tremendously compared to what it was 12 or 15 years ago—the organization, the logistics, everything,” he stated, while celebrating the return to the essence of what was once considered the most important fair on the Costa Grande.
Regarding the economic dynamics and respect for agreements with local businesses in the municipal seat of Petatlán, the business leader was emphatic in saying that “they were respected. There was an agreement with the local merchants, and things are back to normal.” He stressed that after almost four decades of living in Petatlán, he recognizes the value of maintaining these commercial traditions, “because they revitalize the economy for everyone who lives here.”
The representative of the Chamber of Commerce (Canaco) underscored that the influx of local and national tourists has been constant due to the area’s appeal as a tourist destination. “A lot of tourists arrive, especially during Holy Week, because there is a lot of religious tourism,” which keeps expectations high for the end of this Easter period.
Source: suracapulco
