By José Antonio Pérez
The Puerto Peñasco Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV) reports Puerto Peñasco has seen about a 25% occupancy rate at local hotels & resorts since the city gradually started to reopen to tourists on June 16th. This is quite distant from the 80% averages seen over the past five years during this time.
OCV President Héctor Vázquez del Mercado indicated this year’s battle with Coronavirus Covid-19 is forcing Puerto Peñasco to row against the current in order to recover from setbacks, both in health and in the economy. He detailed the city has so far received 5300 visitors, with an estimated entry of at least 4000 tourists for the weekend. This would mean an influx of 10,000 people over the past two weeks, after nothing for three months.
Vázquez del Mercado noted the gradual reopening of Puerto Peñasco to tourists has had a good start, as it’s the only destination in Sonora that is opening. However, anyone who decides to visit, must follow local regulations and health protocols that have been in place overall due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes use of masks in all public spaces as well as in the car when traveling with more than 1 person, reduced capacity at restaurants, and a nightly 10 p.m curfew, among others.
It is an extremely difficult situation, he reiterated, and unfortunately the Federal Government hasn’t granted any type of stimulus or support to the productive sector – in this case, tourism – to confront the crisis. So, the only solution is that of reactivating businesses, under the same level of responsibility that has characterized Puerto Peñasco throughout this experience.
Health protocols and list of Certified Hotels available at: Health Protocols for Tourists