Guerrero Expects 1,000,000-plus Holiday Tourists

(Acapulco, NA 16 December) The State Department of Tourism Development (SEFOTUR) announced yesterday its estimate that over 1,000,000 tourists will visit Guerrero during the high tourist season that begins tomorrow and extends through January 6. About half of these visitors will be arriving in Acapulco. The overall economic benefit to the state will be around US$250 million. The main destinations are Acapulco, Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and Taxco. Hotel occupancy for the period will average around 70%, according to predictions.

Tourism Secretary Ernesto Rodrígues Escalona provided the estimates at a press briefing on “Operation Winter 2010-2011,” a cooperative effort at all three levels of government to provide enhanced security, information services and other amenities to holiday visitors. One such amenity is Acapulco’s New Year fireworks show, which lights up the entire night sky over the bay for an hour or so, starting at midnight. The cost of the display is around US$165,000.

State Public Safety Director, General Heriberto Salinas Altés (ret.) added that “Operation Winter 2010-2011” will be implemented in all seven major regions of the state and that 7,375 public safety employs will participate, including police, fire and ambulance personnel. Tourism support elements will be patrolling the beaches on ATV’s. The special services will continue through January 9.

The head of SECTUR also mentioned that while the US, Canada and Mexico City have all been suffering from especially cold winter temperatures this year, Acapulco’s climate remains very comfortable with daily highs between 86 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and nightly lows about 20 degrees cooler than the highs.