Future of tourism in Mexico

I wouldn't worry, Tess. That's for the Disneyland crowd who do nothing but complain if they get in the wrong line and arrive in Zihuatanejo by accident. In Ixtapa they tend to stay in their hotels and drink their vacation, so we never know they're here.

Zihuatanejo will continue being its lawless unruly unkempt self (though about a hundred state police, part of the new Mando Único scheme, surprisingly took control of the police station yesterday and have new roadblocks all over the place). The current government is making sure we don't progress, even if they do insist on the stupid cruise ship pier project in La Majahua, which local merchants are sure to object to since it will ruin what little business we get in Zihuatanejo from the cruise ship tourists.

It's election season and like magic new lamps for the thousands of non-functional streetlights are magically appearing. Apparently allowing everything to deteriorate so much, such as the lack of water, the garbage, the bay, etcetera, was all a "clever" ruse by our crafty Gobierno Diferente. Now all the GREAT AND POWERFUL politicians seeking to be elected to new positions can be found almost everywhere fixing almost everything with the money they've stolen from the good people. It's simply amazing! Even the municipal treasurer who's been missing since mid-June magically showed up at his office the day before yesterday with no explanation for his prolonged absence, as if nothing at all had happened.

Political interests will continue ensuring that divisions remain healthy and that there are plenty of poor and uneducated folks who will accept handouts in exchange for their votes. I don't see Disneyland arriving to Zihuatanejo anytime soon. Even the Magic World pool attraction in Ixtapa is in terrible condition (though it's still a bit better than the public olympic pool).

Until enlightened government arrives (possibly with a new revolution, maybe in a year or so the way things look now) expect no progress and little change to occur here. We are in the convulsions of a dying "gobierno diferente", a sad and pathetic caricature of what government should be, and most of the candidates for next year's municipal elections represent everything the majority of Mexicans despise.

Never a dull moment in paradise!

My thoughts:

You cannot separate Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Yes they are very different but they share the same airport and every flight filled with package tourists for Ixtapa has seats for those of us staying in Zihuatanejo. I will defer to others as to lodging units available I each but my guess is at least a 10:1 ratio, Ixtapa over Zihuatanejo. No surprise that the troubles of Guerrero have greatly affected tourism, including cruise ships, and in turn have greatly affected lift into ZIH. I would guess that the high cost of airfare relative to other Mexican destinations has had the biggest impact on tourism the past few years.
In my opinion Zihua has been transitioning to its own identity for some time; smaller more expensive hotels ( with some private residences as well) compared to Ixtapa, with an older clientele. What was originally started by Villa del Sol and expanded on by Casa Que Canta has blossomed into quite a few luxury accommodations. All take advantage of the topography and views that make Zihuatanejo special. Residential real estate and hotel development have been stalled for some time but at some point the 'troubles' will be over and the build out on the hills surrounding the bay will resume. Expect the Catalina to change hands, the beachfront adjacent to Viceroy developed and someone to finish the Sotavento. But until Guerrero is viewed as a safer state to visit (and invest in) tourism in Zihuatanejo will continue to limp along as it has the past few years. Which is probably just fine for many readers of this Board, they like it just as it is right now.

You know I've never been to the Mediterranean but when we drive the heights and see the vistas around Zihua I always get that vibe .

Like the Mayan Riviera thing . The Mexican Mediterranean

It's a tolerable position to adopt with old world charm and traditional values and simple foods being embraced and sought out .

Run with it . It's marketing baby . Start gowing some olives .

The main downtown beach in Puerto Vallarta is called Los Muertos , about as exciting as La Ropa . Some marketing wizard renamed the area , the remance zone . We call it the HE-mance zone , ourselves .

I keep up on many of the destinations mentioned and the Nayarit destinations have done little in the way of marketing or substantial change and just bled off some of the PV traffic .

Sayulita , Nayarit , has a certain reputation as being cool . Tulum is another such place . Troncones also enjoys such a buzz . Why is that? Troncones is nice ! Barra de Potosi is as nice to me and barely known to those that haven't actually been to the area . Both really nice destinations but one has the cool factor and one is unknown .

Separate issue

Not to beat a dead horse but the outstanding snorkeling , from shore , basically for free is a huge untapped draw .

Celebrate a wonderful experience like Las Gatas and Isla Ixtapa !

Brag about all the turtles in the area and nesting , both natural and assisted .

Bump the eco tour wonderlands in Barra de Potosi and Playa Valentine and the miles and miles of private beach at Playa Larga and Playa Blanca , whale watching , the whole natural package that can be found so easily .

Fabricate some history of nudism out there and market that .

Anyway , it's a balance between protecting local culture and food and letting those things fend for themselves on their own strengths against the farther North American , exported , cultural imperialism we all live with .

I love the wandering old men in barber shirts that play and sing the national and local songs but if some kid can make a living playing accoustic Pink Floyd along with some Mexican standards we gotta bend to the pressure and encourage him .

It's a balance that's hard to manage but it's better than dolphinareums and discos .

Please be happy , always

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Please be happy always

I linked to the SF Carbuncle and I tried to read it all. Superlatives flew like deranged Catorros...New glass and chrome in Cancun....yadda....Campeche revival...bladda....Isla Mujeres paradise....yawn....

"E.P.N. takes office and crime is down ninety-percent in Mazatlan"

Shades of Groucho, Harpo and Chico! I tried - swear to god I tried. I clamped my jaw shut, flipped the lid of the laptop closed and swallowed.

My stomach started to quiver...I knew then I was screwed.

A guffaw burst out. Then giggles which quickly accelerated into a horse laugh. My eyes teared...ninety...har...har...har...per...ohcrap...cent. The hammock flipped. Thank god for fresh petates.

The kids came running fear on their faces. Abuelo surely was having an ataque de corazon.

Damage: A sore elbow are sorer butt.

But it was worth it. I'm sure the spasm in my solarplex will have worked it's way out by tomorrow.

Thank you for bringing me this. That was the hardest I laughed since hearing the cancion where the drunk cowboy sat in the tinaca watering his machete and sharpening his horse...