Progreso vendors lament slow sales from cruise passengers

Cruise tourists prefer to visit archeological zones, Merida and other beaches over staying in Progreso….

PROGRESO — This was the first cruise of the week, and although sales were “regular” according to the artisans and vendors, there was demand for nautical services and rental of watercraft, as well as for tours to cenotes and other tourist destinations.

Although there was good weather, many passengers of the “Carnival Triumph” were not encouraged to enjoy the sea and the beach in Progreso; most of the tourists preferred to go visit the archaeological zones, Merida, Telchac beaches, Isstey Holiday Center, as well as the cenotes, through contracted tours.

The “Carnival Triumph” arrived from Cozumel with 3.300 passengers; in Progreso remained about 1.000 tourists who animated the atmosphere on the beach and rented jet skis.

The majority of the passengers consumed beers on the beach lying on loungers or under umbrellas and palapas, where the troubadours sang to them, and in return they received good tips; there were those who earned from $10 to $15 USD (from $ 187 to $ 273 pesos) during the day.

Hats and hammocks from sellers from Tixkokob and Chumayel had good demand among passengers, while cigars, necklaces and shells had low demand. In the traditional market the sales were as usual; they sold t-shirts, articles of alpaca, handbags and crafts.

Florio Peraza Mis, a 64-year-old hammock maker of Chumayel who sells to vendors, affirms that he sells each hammock at $170 pesos, and the port sellers offered them up to $20 dollars ($375 pesos). Florio Peraza commented that “his sale is safe”, since he delivers the hammocks to the vendors and they pay him. His profit is $ 1,700 pesos each week just selling 10 hammocks.

Source: yucatan.com.mx