The Mexican Caribbean is ready for a hot winter of welcoming visitors, and judging by the enthusiastic reception from Toronto-area travel agents at an event last night, they’re ready to fill plenty of beds.

A delegation of hoteliers and other suppliers from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo came to Canada to promote the Mexican Caribbean, a 900 kilometre stretch of tourism-dense coastline from Holbox in the north to Chetumal in the south. Canadian tour operators and airlines including Transat, WestJet Vacations and Swoop were also among the group of exhibitors.

“We’re just so grateful for all the support we’re getting from Canadian travel advisors,” Laura Nesteanu, Vice President and Managing Director Canada for Global Marketing & Sales told TravelPulse Canada. Nesteanu and her group promote a region with 123,000 hotel rooms, three international airports and four cruise ports.

“We have been so blessed that travel has come back so strongly in the Mexican Caribbean. But when you’re number one, you have to try even harder to stay there, so we’re out promoting and thanking travel agents for their support.”

There’s something for just about everyone in the Mexican Caribbean, from tiny boutique hotels and eco-focused lodgings to massive all-inclusive playgrounds. There are stunning Mayan ruins, crystal-clear cenotes, world-class dive sites, Magical Towns, biosphere reserves and idyllic coastal islands like Holbox, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.

There’s an excellent tourism infrastructure centred around Cancun, offering efficient transfers and excursions, and outside the hotels there are all kinds of nightlife and culinary opportunities.

Lizzie Cole, executive director of promotion for the tourism board of Quintana Roo, took agents on a virtual tour of the region from north to south, showcasing the amazing diversity within.

“We offer the best of Mexico and the best of the Caribbean. This is where two worlds meet,” Cole said.

Officials are buoyant for the coming winter season. There’s lots of lift and strong indications of pent-up demand as the pandemic eases its grip. And for now at least, the Mexican government is no longer requiring visitors to fill out customs forms upon arrival in CUN, in a bid to speed up the process.