Despite insecurity and pandemic, Cancun’s beaches are more popular than ever

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A record number of Americans battling cabin fever are flocking south of the border searching for post-pandemic relief with walks along the pristine waters of Mexico’s stunning beaches. At affordable prices. 

That’s critical good news for Mexico, where tourism supports over 4.5 million jobs across the country, making it one of the most important industries in the country. But is it safe to travel there and how is this nation of 130 million people coping with the COVID-19 pandemic?

Experts say most tourist destinations are safe, and to reinforce that, the government announced this week that it is sending additional troops to the Caribbean coastline. With vaccination and the exercise of basic cautions, the beaches are prime candidates for a vacation.

The most popular international flight from Dallas-Fort Worth? It’s not London or Paris. Try Cancún, with an average of eight daily flights.

Once a famed destination for spring breakers, the beach resort is luring Americans of all ages, particularly Texans, year-round. And it’s not just beaches that are drawing people to Mexico, but also other great wanderlust haunts, from Oaxaca to cosmopolitan Mexico City with its majestic Paseo de la Reforma.

The DFW to Mexico air passenger market grew to 2,319.9 passengers per day during the third quarter of 2021, up from 1,746.3 for the same quarter in 2019, according to analysts at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

One of the many attractions of Cancún beaches is parachuting over the turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
One of the many attractions of Cancún beaches is parachuting over the turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean.

The trend indicates the growing economic and cultural integration between Texas and Mexico and the post-pandemic need to escape. It’s as though distance and time away due to COVID-19 made the heart fonder, said Mexican Consul General in Dallas Francisco “Paco” de la Torre.

“No doubt. Texans missed traveling to Mexico more than they ever realized,” said De la Torre, who in his more than five years as consul has seen the number of Mexican destinations tripled for Americans traveling from North Texas to Mexico. “Mexico has been the closest destination for Texans, not only regarding geography, which it obviously is, but also when talking about family ties, trade, shopping, tourism, culture, food and sports.”

He added: “An average two-hour flight allows any Texan to visit a vibrant international city like Mexico City, or know the colors of Oaxaca, or the flavors of Yucatan or the wonderful beaches in the Caribbean” and the Pacific.

Source: Dallas News

The Cancun Post