The recent Gala Riviera Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta, held at the Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta convention center, offered insight into what two of the Mexican Pacific’s biggest stars have on the books for travel advisors and their clients.
Immersion Travel in the Mexican Pacific
Already top of mind for travelers thanks to the resounding success of the Riviera Nayarit brand, the state of Nayarit is making significant strides in its tourism sector, positioning itself as a premier destination for sports, adventure and luxury travel while emphasizing its cultural richness and natural beauty.
Silvia Lorena Serafin, on behalf of the Tourism Promotion Trust of the State of Nayarit, shared with us some of the developments in the region, which boasts nine Magical Towns (Pueblos Mágicos), each with unique tourist routes. These routes provide visitors with an “experience to the experience,” allowing them to immerse themselves in local culture and traditions.
The state has also secured partnerships with major North American sports teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, and Vancouver Canucks. These collaborations aim to showcase Nayarit’s adventure-filled landscapes to millions of sports fans. The state is also gaining recognition as a sports tourism hub, with Sayulita’s world-class waves and Ceboruco Volcano’s paragliding opportunities attracting athletes and spectators alike.
Regional Hotel Boom
The region’s hotel industry is experiencing rapid expansion, welcoming approximately 10 properties and upgrading or expanding others. For example, Delta Hotels by Marriott Riviera Nayarit, An All-Inclusive Resort, recently debuted a new tower, Zafiro, adding 100 guestrooms and suites to the existing 212 guestroom inventory. The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta is in the final phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation, reimagining the entire place from top to bottom, and its sister hotel, the 433-room Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, is also undergoing a big transformation, which is set to be completed late this fall.
Getting There Is Getting Easier
This region of the Mexican Pacific also has big news for connectivity: The state of Nayarit is investing $250 million in the Tepic International Airport (TPQ), which will be rebranded as the Riviera Nayarit Airport and is slated for completion this year. The multi-million-dollar upgrade will allow it to welcome up to 4 million passengers annually and include a fully digitized immigration process, four new jet bridges, expanded retail and dining spaces and a state-of-the-art car rental center. The first direct international flight to Los Angeles (LAX) is slated for July 16, 2025.
In Puerto Vallarta, the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is hard at work on a new terminal that is about 40 percent complete and will include 806,496 sq. ft of buildings and 897,620 sq. ft. of aircraft platform, with five floors and eight aircraft contact points to serve 4.5 million passengers annually. Terminal 2 is notable for its sustainability efforts, being the first in Latin America to achieve NET Zero certification, aiming to eliminate carbon emissions within 7.5 years through solar panels and efficient water management, thus reducing energy consumption by 40 percent and water usage by 35 percent.
Michelle Friedman, Minister of Tourism for the state of Jalisco, highlighted the region’s strategic advancements in tourism infrastructure. Jalisco boasts two of the country’s main airports, which account for 90 percent of its international connectivity. These airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta serve as vital gateways for international travelers.
Despite being established and successful destinations, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta continue expanding their infrastructure and services. “We continue to grow in our infrastructure, in our services, in our investment, because we know that tourists keep coming and keep choosing our destination,” Friedman stated. The addition of a second terminal is expected to double connectivity, allowing Jalisco to accommodate more tourists and host significant events, such as the upcoming World Cup and the inaugural ITBM America.
Of note: Friedman emphasized that the U.S. market remains crucial for Jalisco: “It’s still our main market. We’re welcoming all of our friends from the US and, of course, we’re ready to receive all the rest of the market.”
For more information, visit visitnayarit.travel and visitpuertovallarta.com.
