It seems there was a bright spot in what was a sluggish year for Mexico tourism in 2019: the Riviera Nayarit. 

The destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast saw more than 780,000 travelers last year, representing a very strong 4.7 percent growth in arrivals compared to 2018. 

The strong visitation comes as the area is in the midst of a hotel development boom, with new brands coming on stream ranging from Ritz-Carlton to Rosewood to Conrad, among others. 

They’re part of a total of 15 new projects approved for 2020 and beyond, tourism officials told Caribbean Journal. 

“We are beyond grateful for the increasing support and interest we continue to receive every year from North American travelers,” said Marc Murphy, managing director of Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The properties debuting in the next couple of years are part of our efforts to continue to match the superior standards expected by guests visiting the destination. We are excited to further develop Riviera Nayarit as a world-class tourism destination.”

The Riviera Nayarit will add a total of 575 new rooms this year, with more than 3,500 new rooms in the pipeline by 2025. 

The former will be headlined by the launch of the new Conrad Punta de Mita, which will open with 325 rooms in May. 

— CJ