Hotel workers in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo began taking vacations and rest periods during September due to the decline in occupancy and tourist arrivals characteristic of this month, reported José Francisco Castro Reyes, general secretary of Section 99 of the Confederation of Mexican Workers.
The union leader explained that after the summer vacation season, the need for personnel at hotel companies decreases, a situation that makes it possible to organize rest periods for permanent employees, as well as for those working under temporary or fixed-term contracts.
He estimated that around 30 percent of the workforce is currently on vacation or taking a rest period, generally for one week. The scheduling, he said, seeks to distribute absences without affecting hotel operations or interrupting workers’ income.
September Allows Vacations to Be Scheduled
Castro Reyes explained that the sector is coming from a summer season with favorable tourism activity, while September traditionally represents one of the periods with the lowest activity for the destination’s hotel industry.
He added that workers and tourism service providers are aware of this seasonal pattern, and some try to set aside part of the income earned during the busiest seasons to get through the weeks with lower demand.
The rest periods also allow employees to spend time with their families after the heavier workloads experienced during the vacation season.
They Expect Activity During Weekends
The union leader considered that, despite the low season, weekends can maintain visitor activity in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and generate business for hotels and other tourism-related establishments.
The sector expects September to remain the period with the lowest occupancy and that a gradual recovery will begin afterward as the final quarter of the year progresses.
Castro Reyes stated that vacation scheduling will continue on a staggered basis, depending on the occupancy recorded by each company and its staffing needs.
Source: meganoticias
