Earlier this year, Mazatlan was host to Tianguis Turístico Mexico, the most important event in the tourism sector of Mexico, where entrepreneurs, hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators, meeting planners and media from more than 80 countries attended. It was part of an overall government strategy to re-position Mazatlan as a new destination and increase visitation.

TravelPulse Canada spoke with Carlos Berdegue Sacristan, President and CEO of El Cid Resorts, in Mazatlan as part of the recent Sunwing Fam which hosted 170 members of the travel industry for 4 days earlier this month.

He explained there were four main areas that have been critical to what he is calling the re-launch of Mazatlan: infrastructure, modernization of the tourist areas, a focus on the cultural components of the city and overall promotion of the destination.

“Our government has invested in major infrastructure; the airport is a perfect example,” Sacristan says. “Travellers are arriving to a brand new entrance, a new look, a new area of Mazatlan. The tourist areas like the boardwalk and historic district have been updated, and many new hotels are coming to the area. This will also help in promotion of Mazatlan as a destination.”

Sacristan stresses the re-launch initiatives are all tied into the city’s cultural movement in Mazatan, whose tagline is a “colonial city on the beach.” Restoration was all done in line with the city’s cultural events, and built to attract those industries to support that, which currently includes residents such as a classical dance company from Cuba, students of a classical jazz and modern ballet company, as well as many music-related troops.

Big hotel names are also on the way. Holiday Inn has already opened, a Marriott is currently under development with an expected opening in spring. The Sheraton and Westin are also starting construction while Riu is entering a second phase and the dotted line is almost signed with Barcelo.

“Here we've had local chains, so I think with the strategy that the government was able to develop, Mazatlan has been relaunched as a new destination. From now on you’ll start seeing all the news about new business coming.”