5 Great Reasons to Book Mexico for This Winter Travel Season
Every day, we in the travel industry hear news about another destination that’s opening up (and we cheer!) or about changing entry requirements. And aren’t we all constantly being asked, “Where’s the best place to travel to now?” Well here’s one destination that has managed to hold onto its appeal with travelers during the pandemic and now even more as COVID concerns are beginning to ease: the ever-popular, hot-hot-hot Mexico.
“Mexico has always had an allegiance of travel clients and it's being proven post-pandemic as well,” said Denise L. Wiggins, global travel & health and wellness advisor, at Denise Wiggins Travel Services & Curran Travel, in Pennsylvania. “It has always been an open, welcoming, and inclusive destination. As a country, it has worked hard during and post-pandemic to honor protocols; staff up accordingly and be transparent of their offerings. Mexico continues to be a desired country and is requested often.”
Here are five great reasons to book your U.S.-based clients on a trip to Mexico this winter travel season and beyond:
1. Nonstop flights, lots of lift
First off, Mexico is just easy to get to for American travelers. Flights are short, with an abundance of nonstop options, and relatively speaking, lots of lift available.
“Mexico has always been a top destination I book for winter getaways because of its ease to get to from most U.S. gateways, and its overall value,” said Kristi Huss, travel advisor and owner, at Travel Savvi, Inc., in Sartell, Minnesota. “It’s easy to get to for a shorter three-to-four-night stay, as well as a longer stay to escape the winter cold.”
Furthermore, she said, “As many travelers may previously have asked to go somewhere they consider to be more exotic, or they say, ‘I’ve already been to Mexico and want to go somewhere else,’ now they feel better to travel to a place that is easy to get to and feels familiar and comfortable to them.”
2. Back-to-normal feeling
Travel advisors who have recently visited Mexico report back that it has an upbeat atmosphere with higher resort occupancies and excellent customer service.
Sarah Kline, president of Time For Travel, Ltd., in Davidsonville, Maryland, explained: “Since Mexico has been welcoming guests for over a year now, and has dropped to a level green, the resorts can offer higher occupancies than some other destinations. Higher occupancies mean all the restaurants can be open, there are more resort activities, and there’s just an overall ‘back-to-normal’ feel. The level green means there’s more nightlife and that bars can stay open later. We are just about back to the true all-inclusive experience that Mexico is known for.”
3. Easier COVID protocols
Bottom line, travelers appreciate not having to test prior to travel. The U.S. still requires return testing (and most resorts in Mexico offer complimentary onsite testing to make this easy for travelers), but it is appealing not to have to test prior to arrival.
“It is one less step for the clients who are vaccinated and ready to travel,” said Kline. “I was in Cancun a few weeks ago for just a three-night stay, and I tested upon arrival at my resort on Thursday and this test was good for my return to the U.S. on Sunday. Took less than 10 minutes and it was refreshing to know I was negative and also good to return home to the U.S. with paperwork in hand.”
Huss has also had positive experiences: “I’ve personally experienced the various safety measures and protocols in response to the pandemic in five of my own trips to Mexico in 2021, and I have two more trips planned yet this year. Especially during a very personal choice to travel in a pandemic, having first-hand knowledge from what I’ve experienced to pass along to my clients is important. I always tell my clients, ‘I wouldn’t book you in a place I wouldn’t stay myself,’ and my own travel record speaks to where I feel good about attending work events and personal vacations.”
4. Quality properties with value-added offerings
The luxury resorts, all-inclusives, spectacular beaches, rejuvenating spas, mouth-watering cuisine, well-honed customer service…As an experienced travel advisor, you already know why Mexico is a supreme destination from the perspective of its hospitality-related offerings.
And then there are the value-adds, as Wiggins noted: “Clients are more than happy to consider and welcome a trip to Mexico. [This is, in part, because of the] “quality properties, which offer outstanding value-added products and services such as sister-property dining; transfers, free nights, waiving resort fees, and complimentary upgrades when available.”
5. Affordable for most travelers
Finally, Mexico is an affordable destination for most travelers. Hotels, attractions, restaurants, airlines, and visiting cruise lines all understand the necessity of offering travelers an excellent value for their vacation dollars. Nothing gets people up and out of their houses like a good travel deal.
So, the next time a client asks you, “Where’s a good place to travel to now?” consider if Mexico is the perfect recommendation for them.
We’ll sum up with something that Huss said: “The destination and people of Mexico have always been near and dear to my heart. It’s been hard seeing people all throughout our industry affected in these tough times. Seeing tourism come back and being greeted by the staff who are thankful to be back to work welcoming you with a warm smile is something I’m glad my clients can experience again.”
We all second that.
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