Tianguis Attendees Talk Hotel Developments in Mexico, Caribbean

Hotel conversions, expansions and openings, coupled with the increase in the upper-end sector of all-inclusive resorts and the strength of Mexico's visitor numbers in Q1, fueled the mood of confidence among buyers and sellers at Tianguis Turistico, Mexico's annual travel trade event, held this week in the Lakam Center/Cancun-Riviera Maya.

Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto echoed a familiar theme during his keynote speech, which echoed his country's tourism strategies and initiatives.

"Tourism is the powerhouse that fuels our economy. Our government is committed to funding and pursuing tourism strategies that will place us in the top tier of global destinations in terms of revenues earned, visitors welcomed and developments launched," said Pena Nieto.

In terms of developments, Grand Oasis resort in Cancun will convert to the Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa in September, following an extensive renovation; El Cid Resort in Puerto Morelos will debut 100 family suites on May 28 and plans another 400-room hotel in Mazatlan in two years.

Hyatt's entry into the all-inclusive market, with two distinctive brands (Hyatt Ziva caters to families and guests of all ages while Hyatt Zilara focuses on adults), is moving forward at a fast clip.

The Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos and Hyatt Zilara Cancun debuted last November and are owned and managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts.

"The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, the former Dreams Puerto Vallarta, opens Dec. 1 with 337 rooms, completely renovated," said Kevin Froemming, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Playa Resorts Management.

Coming up after that in quick succession is the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, the former Dreams Cancun, in July 2015.

In between is the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Montego Bay, the former Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, which are slated to open Nov. 1, following an $83 million expansion and rebuild.

Among AMResorts' six brands spanning Mexico as well as Dominican Republic and Jamaica, Sunscape will launch "soon" in the Riviera Maya, according to Alex Zozaya, CEO of parent company Apple Leisure Group, Puerto Los Cabos Secrets will open in December 2015.

An opening of a different sort will take place on Nov. 8 when the curtain rises in the 600-seat Vidanta Theater on Cirque du Soleil's "Joya," a 70-minute performance by Cirque's only resident troupe outside of Las Vegas and Orlando.

The theater is under construction near the Grand Mayan resort in the Riviera Maya. Tickets are now on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com, priced from $85 to $225.