GringoZona
Guest
By all accounts, it sounds like this Memorial Day weekend was a major success in Puerto Penasco, following up the smashing Semana Santa holiday last month. The four Sonoran resorts were fully booked, photos show tents lining Sandy Beach in front of Playa Bonita, and the rentals up and down the community of Las Conchas sounded packed.
I'm curious as to a what factors those who were down there over the weekend attribute this surge in visitors. Even if you weren't there, maybe you've heard some stories second-hand. To get things started, here's the factors I think have helped, and please give your take on each:
1. Economy is improving. People have a little extra cash and those longtime visitors were just itching to get out of town and visit their old haunts. And with the rates and specials that have been offered over the last year, the idea to travel south may have already been planted many months ago.
2. Positive pro-Penasco advertising/media blitz worked. The ads that appeared recently in the Arizona Republic and Arizona Daily Star in Phx and Tucson may have softened the grip of fear that's been squeezing the public, streaming from both the media and the government, via poorly-worded and often contradictory warnings about traveling to Mexico. Could it be that Americans are once again able to mentally separate one tiny tourist town in Mexico from the entire country?
3. Word of mouth. Probably the most effective tool of all, and the most likely reason for Penasco's snowballing comeback over the last few months. Spring Break was an improvement over years past, Semana Santa (though mostly Mexican Nationals) seemed to be out of control, and as pictures and stories get back to the states, it can't help but make each coming weekend and holiday bigger. (And next weekend's Circus Mexicus is bound to be even bigger than last year!)
4. The boy cried wolf too many times. People have heard so many warnings, with nothing happening afterward, they just figure, "The hell with it--I'm going." Remember the color-coded terror warnings? Who paid attention to those 5 years later? Or the constant hurricane hype from last summer...
So, that said, what was your feeling over the weekend? What kind of vibe did you sense? Were the license plates mostly from AZ? More families or retirees than college kids? Good mix of both? Did you see more people buying souvenirs, eating out (vs. the Semana Santa crowd), going on sunset cruises, etc.? Bars hoppin' until the a.m. or more of a family atmosphere?
And feel free to post pics, random observations and stories from the weekend. Thanks!
I'm curious as to a what factors those who were down there over the weekend attribute this surge in visitors. Even if you weren't there, maybe you've heard some stories second-hand. To get things started, here's the factors I think have helped, and please give your take on each:
1. Economy is improving. People have a little extra cash and those longtime visitors were just itching to get out of town and visit their old haunts. And with the rates and specials that have been offered over the last year, the idea to travel south may have already been planted many months ago.
2. Positive pro-Penasco advertising/media blitz worked. The ads that appeared recently in the Arizona Republic and Arizona Daily Star in Phx and Tucson may have softened the grip of fear that's been squeezing the public, streaming from both the media and the government, via poorly-worded and often contradictory warnings about traveling to Mexico. Could it be that Americans are once again able to mentally separate one tiny tourist town in Mexico from the entire country?
3. Word of mouth. Probably the most effective tool of all, and the most likely reason for Penasco's snowballing comeback over the last few months. Spring Break was an improvement over years past, Semana Santa (though mostly Mexican Nationals) seemed to be out of control, and as pictures and stories get back to the states, it can't help but make each coming weekend and holiday bigger. (And next weekend's Circus Mexicus is bound to be even bigger than last year!)
4. The boy cried wolf too many times. People have heard so many warnings, with nothing happening afterward, they just figure, "The hell with it--I'm going." Remember the color-coded terror warnings? Who paid attention to those 5 years later? Or the constant hurricane hype from last summer...
So, that said, what was your feeling over the weekend? What kind of vibe did you sense? Were the license plates mostly from AZ? More families or retirees than college kids? Good mix of both? Did you see more people buying souvenirs, eating out (vs. the Semana Santa crowd), going on sunset cruises, etc.? Bars hoppin' until the a.m. or more of a family atmosphere?
And feel free to post pics, random observations and stories from the weekend. Thanks!
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Keep 'em coming...
