Airlines Add Service to Mexican Caribbean, as Demand Remains Strong

The Mexican Caribbean has come out as one of the most popular destinations for Americans to visit this year, as they look to escape to a sun and sand destination. In turn, the region is increasing its air connectivity.

Quintana Roo state, home to Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Tulum, received 961,000 tourists during that stretch — nearly half from the U.S. — at the close of 2020 and start of this year.

Cozumel Island has three new flights from different airlines: American Airlines' route from Philadelphia, once a week on Saturdays. After six years of absence, Frontier Airlines returns with a new flight from Denver, starting on Feb. 13 also with frequencies on Saturdays. Southwest, meanwhile, will resume daily flights from Houston starting March 11. 

In addition, Frontier announced new routes to Cancun from Orlando on Feb. 11 with four flights a week: from Miami starting March 7 with five weekly frequencies and from Cincinnati starting March 13, arriving on Saturdays. Southwest will launch a daily route from Phoenix to Cancun on March 11. 

"We are still in close communication with the airlines to dispel their doubts and share all available information with them, such as access to the tests required by some countries to re-enter their territory; we generate confidence in them thanks to the actions carried out in the state with the Mexican Caribbean Clean & Safe Check Certification, in addition to the effort made by the private initiative to provide the tests, both PCR and antigen, even within their hotels," said Darío Flota, director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board. 

Expanding hotel portfolio
The region is also seeing new property openings in Riviera Maya and Cancun this year. 

The destination has already seen the debut of the highly anticipated Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun on Jan. 29, which had been postponed, on the shores of Costa Mujeres. The 898-room new-build resort boasts  Hollywood memorabilia and curated entertainment-themed experiences, along with 11 restaurants and nine bars.

Riviera Cancun recently saw the opening of the Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, which is adjacent to Breathless Riviera Cancun. Later this summer, it will welcome Hotel Xcaret Arte, with 900 suites and a design paying tribute to Mexican art and culture.

Grupo Posadas will unveil the 343-room Live Aqua Beach Resort Tulkal Riviera Maya in the summer, followed by the 734-room Fiesta Americana Tulkal Riviera Maya in the fall. 

In 2021, the 714-room Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive Resort, cradle in a mangrove preserve on 100 acres of beachfront, will make its debut.