Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Mazatlan Tourism Industry Begins to Reignite



By Claudette Covey
March 18, 2013 10:12 PM

Mazatlan tourism officials attending the 38th annual Tianguis Turistico in Puebla say Mazatlan is rising from the ashes. The destination, whose tourism numbers have suffered in the last several years because of safety issues, is in the process of working on a strategic new tourism plan – 11 million of which is invested in the U.S. market – to boost tourism numbers that have already begun to rise, according to Carlos Berdegue, vice present of the Mazatlan Hotel Association and president and CEO of El Cid Resorts.

Berdegue said evidence of Mazatlan’s resurgence can be seen in cruise lines that are returning for the 2013-14 season, including. Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. He added that the destination is in negotiations with airlines for potential new routes from Seattle, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago and Winnipeg, Canada.

“Mazatlan is back,” said Francisco Manual Cordoba Celay, secretary of tourism for Sinaloa, Mazatlan’s state. “That is the message we want to leave with you.  We’ve suffered in the last three years but crime is down 85 percent now.” Sinaloa is back for good.”

Celay added that Mazatlan will soon open a new highway, which will enable one million vehicles to enter the destination. Celay also said Mazatlan is bidding to host Tianguis in 2016.

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