Last year, Los Cabos was named the fastest growing destination in Mexico.
It really transformed into a tourism destination after more infrastructure was added in the ’80s and ’90s. Check out our other blog post: History of Cabo San Lucas.
According to the Southern Baja state tourism department, tourism increased 48.6% in the past 5 years. At the end of last year, the Los Cabos International airport welcomed 2.8 million passengers, with an increase of 3.3% foreign and 14.6 nationals.
It’s easier to get here than ever before! Getting to Cabo is Easier Than Ever
Los Cabos offers over 345 weekly flights just from the United States, making it an easy destination to visit all year round. Two new routes from Dallas and Phoenix have already been announced for 2020, adding to the growing connectivity available from all major markets in the U.S. Additionally, new flights from London, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Edmonton and Winnipeg helped, as well as a couple of new routes from Mexico’s mainland.
Vacation Express announced the return of non-stop weekly flights on Sunday from the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport to Los Cabos starting on March 8 for Spring break, and then from May 24 through August 2nd.
The conventions market held 6,500 meetings in Cabo with over 300,000 attendees.
Rodrigo Esponda, the Managing Director on the Los Cabos Tourism Board says: “2019 marked an important milestone for Los Cabos as we have strengthened our position as the fastest growing destination in Mexico. Over the last three years, I’ve had the privilege to witness Los Cabos’growth and evolution, the arrival of world-renowned hotel brands, and the upgrade of hotel infrastructure ensuring Los Cabos continues to thrive as Mexico’s top luxury destination.”
“70% of whom are repeat visitors, and 20% have come more than 4 times, and we look forward to welcoming even more during the upcoming summer months as we continue toward another record year for tourism. Many of them have been visiting the destination for several years and even own houses in the destination. As a result, the travel advisory’s impact was blunted by the destination’s built-in resilience.”
Spain-based hotel firm Iberostar announced a $200 million investment in Mexico, half of which will end up in Los Cabos, with an 8,000-room development developed between Iberostar and other investors in a 400-hectares patch of land. Construction will begin in the second half of this year.
According to Miguel Torruco, Mexico’s minister of tourism, tourism brings in 8.7% of the gross domestic product and tourism produces more revenue than construction, and is only surpassed by sales of oil and remittances from Mexicans working abroad.
Tourism tax brings in over $21 million a year to our state coffers, with 75% of that being raised by the Los Cabos hotel industry.
In 2018, the stunning, minimalist-chic Viceroy Los Cabos opened by Montage, the company’s first property outside of the United States, with the largest spa in the Baja California Sur.
The first Nobu in Mexico opened here, and a high-end luxury collection resort, Solaz opened too. With more the way, and the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas; Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Mexico’s inaugural Reserve outpost); Amanvari, and Park Hyatt.
For 2020, Los Cabos is projecting to add over 1,350 new hotel rooms increasing the growing inventory of luxury brands in the destination including Aman, Caesars Palace, St Regis, Soho House, S/O, and 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo, among many others.
It’s an exciting time here in Los Cabos!