New Merida convention center expected to spur USD$55 million in new hotel investments

At least three large new hotels affiliated with worldwide brands plus world-class restaurants are expected to be constructed in Merida’s northern hotel zone as part of the massive development of the new International Convention Center of Yucatan, with an estimated economic impact of more than one billion pesos (USD $55.9 million) in the next two years.

Among hotel brands that have expressed interest in this important hub of tourist development are the Hilton and Marriott chains.

Last December, Hampton Inn, which is part of the Hilton family, opened a hotel in north Merida, and executives said then that by mid-2016 further investments in Merida would be anounced, including a plaza and a luxury hotel.

Hotel projects would be located at the corner of Calle 62 and Avenida Colon, next to what is now the building of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

A third new hotel is expected at a still-uncertain location, but it is expected to be in the same vicinity of the new convention center, which is in early stages of site clearing between Avenida Colon and Avenida Cupules.

Sources told Milenio the economic impact from new resort hotels and restaurants of international stature for this area near the Paseo de Montejo would exceed one billion pesos.

This is part of the site at intersection of Avenida Colon and Calle 62 where new convention center is under construction. (PHOTO: yucatan.com.mx)

The Secretary of Tourism Promotion, Saul Ancona Salazar, confirmed that the plans presented by Governor Rolando Zapata Bello will trigger other investments.

“There are many possibilities, many investors who are pondering; I would reserve that information until they can say what they want and what they will do … But, certainly, it has aroused great interest and that business is what is sought, to bring more investments,” he said.

Ancona stressed that the arrival of the new hotels will respond to the need of the tourism sector for more hotel rooms in Merida and Yucatan, which currently has about 12 thousand rooms.

The head of the Yucatan Association of Hotels Ricardo Dájer Nahum, said that in the coming months important announcements of the arrival of new hotel chains to the area of the new convention center will be made.

“To the extent that such infrastructure is generated, certainly convention tourism is driven, and that translates into increased hotel occupancy, so in the coming months we will see major announcements regarding construction of hotels,” he said.

Source: http://sipse.com/

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New Merida convention center expected to spur USD$55 million in new hotel investments

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