Cancun No.1 for Spring Break, in a crowded market
02/24/2017
YOUNG AMERICANS HEADING TO MEXICO AND THE CARIBBEAN FOR SPRING BREAK
It looks like Spring Break 2017 will be no different to any other year with vacationers flocking South for some sun and sea in the Caribbean. Many are still preferring staying in the States; with Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida featuring highly, and of course that perennial favorite Las Vegas and nearby Phoenix.
The most popular traveling date, and therefore the one to avoid if you don't like crowds and delays, is March 11.The always popular resort of Cancun comes in at first place with Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta completing the Mexican contingent.
The Caribbean islands make up the rest of the pack, headed by the U.S. dependency of Puerto Rico, in the shape of San Juan. Puerto Cana in the Dominican Republic, Montego Bay in Jamaica, the Dutch colony of Aruba, Nassau in the Bahamas, and St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands completing the picture.
But there are those trying something different with Denver and Salt Lake City for skiing and something like one in twenty-five choosing London (of those traveling internationally).
CANCUN
In a timely move, American Airlines had last year launched four new routes to Cancun, and their total number of weekly flights to the Mexican Caribbean now stands at over 170.U.S. Low-Cost carrier JetBlue is among several other airlines who fly there.In 2016 Cancun was the budget holiday hub for Spring Break with prices 45% cheaper than 2015. This year Cancun expects 35,000 North American students (already Hotel occupancy is over 84%).
Hundreds of extra workers are being hired for the holiday period.Getting around the resort is getting easier with a frequent 24-hour bus service with tickets costing just 50 cents.The local authorities have also printed 5,000 copies of a good behavior guide pointing out the do's and don'ts for young tourists. Things to avoid include hire of mopeds, and always use a bathroom if you need to go.Purchase of local telephone cards is also recommended, as collect calls are very expensive.
The authorities have to tread a very fine line between maintaining order and decorum and losing revenue.It is actually a serious problem.Last year Panama City Beach in Florida introduced local ordinances which resulted in a crackdown on drinking on the beach and forced bars to close earlier. The result was a 41% fall in Hotel room bookings and a loss of $85 million in revenue. Thankfully the restrictions were temporary for Spring Break, and local coffers recovered from this big hit.
Meanwhile back in Mexico, the Cancun management offers other distractions.
For those growing a little tired of pool parties and beach bars, there are other attractions on offer including trips to local Mayan ruins, an Aztec Temple, and snorkeling at the Great Mesoamerican Reef (it is after all the biggest dive site in the Western world). There has to be something to do in between sleeping and partying after all.
It seems Cancun has everything in place for a fun and safe Spring Break.www.paylessflights.com has everything you need for a great vacation.We have plenty of last minute flights and hotel offers.