Holy Week Begins with 66.3% Occupancy

(Acapulco, NA 19 April) Thousands of holiday visitors flocked to the beaches of Acapulco yesterday on the first official day of Easter break. Hotels reached nearly two-thirds occupancy, according to the municipal secretary of tourism.

The beaches in the traditional zone – Caleta, Caletilla, Tamarindos, Tlacopanocha and Papagayo – were especially crowded with families enjoying the sun, surf and aquatic activities like jet skis and the “banana” ride. The sea was calm in the bay for the visitors, but along the Diamond Zone and in Pie de la Cuesta the waves were unusually strong.

The beaches started filling up right after 12:00 noon. Meanwhile, the cruise ship Island Princess made its fourth arrival of the season in Acapulco with over 1,000 passengers, who spent more than eight hours enjoying the sights, like the Quebrada, and shopping in the port.

Over 2,300 police officers were evident in their patrols of the beaches and principal tourist spots in the city, as part of a strategic plan to give the visitors confidence that they will be safe and secure during their vacation.

According to the mayor, over 400,000 visitors are expected over this long holiday vacation period, resulting in more than $100 million pesos of economic benefit. He used the opportunity to make one more jab at the federal tourism secretary, Gloria Guevara: “In spite of the fact that [she] and the federal government want to slow down the development of tourism in this beach destination, Acapulco is, and will continue to be, the number one destination is Mexico because of its excellence,” he said. During the May 1 labor day weekend, local labor groups are expected to make peaceful demonstrations against what he called “the bad decision of Gloria Guevara and the federal government to rob Acapulqueños of this great asset [the national tourism fair called the Tianguis Turístico].”