Tourism on the upswing in Riviera Nayarit

The Riviera Nayarit expects its tourist trade to rebound to pre-Covid levels this year and notes that more hotel options await those who do decide to vacation there.

Richard Zarkin, spokesman for the Riviera Nayarit’s tourist board, notes his area, which begins just north of Puerto Vallarta, had 17,670 rooms in 2019, but this year sees it offering 20,227 to visitors,

And Zarkin reports that the number of people needed to fill those hotel rooms is on the upswing after a Covid-related decline.

“It (Riviera Nayarit tourism) is very healthy, Mexico being the main market, followed by the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom,” he reports.

Mexico is now accounting for 43% of visitors, the U.S. 40%, Canada 13% and Britain 4%.

2019 saw 246,658 Canadians visit the Riviera Nayarit, while 73,272 of us chose it for a vacation last year, a time when numerous Covid-related travel restrictions were in place.

“WestJet notified us that they will have the same amount of flights this year as in 2019, so Canadian tourism will be strong next winter 2022-2023. Even in the summer this year, WestJet is adding more flights,” Zarkin continues.

B.C. is traditionally the largest Riviera Nayarit market in this country, followed by Alberta, then Ontario and next Quebec.

Meanwhile, Zarkin says that come this fall, those planning a Riviera Nayarit vacation will have another property to consider. Susurros del Corazón will comprise 59 hotel guest suites, four distinct culinary concepts, a 3,000-square-foot fitness center and yoga studio, kids’ club with daily activities, and 4,600 square feet of event space, including an outdoor patio and a spacious event lawn. Tucked among lush gardens, an Auberge Spa will feature 11 treatment rooms and a variety of treatments inspired by the heritage and healing properties of the Riviera Nayarit. Dining at Susurros del Corazón will further establish Auberge Resorts Collection’s reputation for award-winning culinary offerings, with a signature restaurant alongside The Taqueria & Bar, a casual open-air venue. The center of the resort is the three scallop-shaped pools that cascade down to the beach, where clear blue waters invite surfing, snorkeling, and fishing against the backdrop of the volcanic Marietas Islands, a protected wildlife refuge.

For more information on Susurros del Corazón, visit www.susurrosresidences.com.