The recent Memorial Day weekend brought an estimated 37 million peso economic boost to Puerto Peñasco (or rather, about 2 million USD), reported Héctor Vázquez del Mercado, President of the local Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV).
The Puerto Peñasco OCV recorded an average 90% occupancy rate at area lodging, with an influx of about 30,000 people, over the popular U.S. holiday weekend.
Except for 2020, when Puerto Peñasco and its beaches were closed due to Covid-19, the city has seen a constant flow of tourism over Memorial Day for the past five years. However, indicated the OCV President, if we hope to continue improving we must respect and similarly enforce health protocols still in effect.
Along with adhering to health measures, Vázquez del Mercado noted the urgent need to ease the border crossing at Sonoyta – Lukeville so that tourists aren’t put off from making the journey back and forth to the beach. NOTE: Border hours at Sonoyta/Lukeville are still 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The local Convention and Visitors Bureau has high expectations for 2021 summer tourism, which however you look at it will be better than the drop in 2020. The positive outlook for 2021 stems from progress in Covid-19 vaccinations on both sides of the border, results from holiday breaks so far this year, as well as current info on upcoming reservations. Vázquez del Mercado indicated the OCV expects at least a 5% increase in visitors, both foreign and national, for the summer season.
