By Shandra Keesecker-Rivero
Following a second full week of the traditional Spring Break period in Arizona, the number of visitors to Puerto Peñasco during the stretch from March 9th – 18th showed a growth of about 4 points over 2012. During a brief, relatively informal press conversation with representatives from the local media, Héctor Vázquez del Mercado, President of the Puerto Peñasco Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV) explained over the two main Spring Break weekends in early March (March 8 – 10, and 15 – 17) occupancy rates point to an approximate overall sum of 50,000 Spring Break visitors of all ages in Peñasco. He emphasized from March 15th – 18th occupancy rates were about 50%, which were also somewhat impacted by national tourism given the three-day weekend in Mexico.
These figures, underscored Vázquez del Mercado, point to the safety, beauty, and warmth to be found in Puerto Peñasco, adding that prior to this year’s Spring Break it is worth highlighting that no travel warning to the area was issued by the US State Department. In addition, over the recent Spring Break period there were no serious accidents, other than regular traffic incidents, to report.
In looking ahead, as the popular Semana Santa vacations approach, Vázquez del Mercado remarked that Easter weekend reservations are already at about 90% across town, with families and vacationers set to arrive in Puerto Peñasco principally beginning on Thursday, March 28th. Over the two main weekends of the Semana Santa break, he is expecting a total of at least 100,000 visitors to Puerto Peñasco’s beaches (mostly from March 29th – March 31st). Schools across the country let out for Semana Santa this Friday, March 22nd, with classes starting up again two weeks later on April 8th. In addition to staying at area hotels, Semana Santa visitors flock to beach rentals while many others come to the area to stay with family and friends.
Aumenta número de “Springbreaqueros” 2013 a Puerto Peñasco
Por Shandra Keesecker-Rivero
Después de la segunda semana de la época conocida en los Estados Unidos como “Spring Break,” el número de visitantes a Puerto Peñasco durante el periodo del 9 al 18 de marzo tuvieron un incremento de 4 puntos en comparación a 2012. Durante una reunión breve con algunos representantes de los medios locales, el Presidente de la Oficina de Convenciones y Visitantes de Puerto Peñasco (OCV), Héctor Vázquez del Mercado, explicó que durante los dos fines de semana principales del “Spring Break” la ciudad recibió una suma total de alrededor 50,000 visitantes de todas las edades. Enfatizo que del 15 al 18 de marzo el índice de ocupación en hoteles y desarrollos turísticos llegó al 50%, lo cual también fue impactado un poco por el puente celebrado en México.
En cuanto a las próximas fechas de Semana Santa, Vázquez del Mercado mencionó que las reservaciones ya están casi al 90% en espera de vacacionistas y familiares pronto en llegar, principalmente a partir del jueves, 28 de marzo. Durante las dos semanas del periodo vacacional de Semana Santa, espera la llegada de un total de 100,000 personas a las playas de Puerto Peñasco (la mayoría entre las fechas del 29 al 31 de marzo).