New research by SiteMinder, the global hotel industry’s leading guest acquisition platform, reveals a growing enthusiasm for domestic travel among Mexicans and a heightened awareness of personal health.
SiteMinder’s Changing Traveler Report, based on the survey responses of nearly 570 locals in Mexico, has found that at least three-in-five are currently planning their next local holiday and, when it comes to choosing their accommodation provider, well-promoted health and safety practices are the top deciding factor for 63 percent of the surveyed population.
Low price is the top deciding factor for only 15 percent of Mexicans when choosing where they will stay, in spite of more than nine-in-ten disclosing that they have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 crisis.
As Mexico’s Government looks at reactivating the country’s domestic tourism, hoteliers can expect to be welcoming more locals over the next 18 months. Of those surveyed, 45 percent say they will take their next domestic trip in 2021, while 43 percent intend to travel as quickly as this year.
Speaking on the findings, SiteMinder‘s senior regional manager for Latin America, Jason Lugo, underlines the importance for hoteliers to be aware of the evolving makeup, attitudes and concerns of their new guests.
“Since the onset of COVID-19 we have seen unprecedented shifts in the way that people are thinking about their travels. In Mexico, our findings highlight that, positively, many remain committed to continue traveling. However, it is critical that hoteliers incorporate strict health and safety measures into every aspect of the guest experience, and communicate these clearly at every customer touchpoint in order to instill confidence,” says Jason. “While international business has remained strong for hotels across Mexico, local holidaymakers will come in greater volumes than ever before and hoteliers need to adapt accordingly.”
Among other key findings, SiteMinder’s report shows that online travel agencies are still the preferred booking method for Mexican locals (39 percent), followed by 31 percent who will book directly with the venue. Accommodation bookings will now be overwhelmingly last-minute in nature, with more than half being secured within a month of the holiday’s start date, and big chains and resorts are still by far the most popular option. Trips will be shorter in 48 percent of cases.
