This week LATTE chats exclusively with Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of Los Cabos Tourism Board.Rodrigo has been Los Cabos Tourism Board for the past five years, steering the organisation through its most rapid period of international visitor growth and rapid expansion as an ultraluxury destination (where there are now 11 Virtuoso Preferred properties), to the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic.He is now at the forefront of Los Cabos’ tourism rebound, with international visitor numbers for July 2021 surging nearly 25% on the corresponding period in 2020. And that’s more than 12 months after the tourism gateway threw out the welcome mat to overseas visitors with a phased reopening beginning in June last year.In response to COVID-19, Los Cabos was designated as the world’s first Sharecare health security VERIFIED destination earlier this year. So how is business, and what does that actually mean?

Hilton is further expanding the group’s all-inclusive and luxury offering in Mexico, inking a deal to manage two namesake properties and a new Conrad hotel in Tulum.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will add a new development on Mexico’s Pacific Coast to its stable of luxury resorts in 2021.

Only&Only will begin welcoming guests to its all-new, all-suite Mexico Riviera Nayarit property from 1 November 2020.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts has officially opened its first resort property in Mexico; the 324-room Conrad Punta de Mita, located in Riviera Nayarit.

Banyan Tree Group has opened its third property in Mexico, Hacienda Xcanatun, which will be operated by its upscale brand Angsana. Located 15 minutes from the centre of Merida, 10 minutes from the archaeological zone of Dzibilchaltún and 20 minutes from the beaches of Puerto Progreso, the resort will offer a new historic-chic oasis in the region.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has revealed plans to add a new resort and residence on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve has expanded its portfolio to four with the addition of new luxury resort set in the dunes along the coastline of San José del Cabo in Mexico. Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is located in the haven of Puerto Los Cabos and offers panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez.

SHA Wellness Clinic, the internationally recognised pioneer of integrated medical and holistic wellness, has announced ambitious expansion plans to take its award-winning SHA concept worldwide, with the opening of two new properties on different continents within the next three years. Building on the success of the original clinic in Spain, SHA Mexico will open in 2021 as the first serious global wellness brand to open in Latin America. A second location will be announced imminently, with longer-term plans to open properties across all continents.

Marriott International has signed management contracts with hotel developers who plan to build five new all-inclusive resorts, including a resort destination dubbed “NIA” that will be home to four resorts. The developers are investing over US$800 million and demonstrating confidence in Marriott International’s scale, loyalty platform and operational expertise. The resorts are expected to open between 2022 and 2025.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is making a move into the Mexico market, announcing it will open two high-end boutique hotels in the upscale neighbourhood of Polanco in Mexico City. 

The hive of interest from upmarket hoteliers in the burgeoning tourist mecca of Los Cabos has lured Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria brand to enter the Mexican market. Ownership of the award-winning Resort at Pedregal will switch hands and rebrand as Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.