Jalisco's $1 billion tourism boom
Meagan Drillinger
If there was ever a time for travel advisors to have Jalisco on the radar, it's now. This month, Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro announced a wave of investment (more than $1 billion in private capital) set to transform Jalisco's hotel infrastructure by 2028. With 38 new hotels (12 to open before the 2026 FIFA World Cup) and 4,578 additional rooms planned across Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Costalegre, the state is making a play to cement itself as a tourism hub in Mexico.
Among the largest investments: Hyatt's $295 million toward three new Puerto Vallarta hotels; IHG's $165 million for seven properties; and Hilton's $90 million for four. Luxury players like Chable will also expand into the region, with a $230 million project in Tomatlan, part of Jalisco's still relatively untapped Costalegre coast.
Costalegre, once a hush-hush hideaway for barefoot luxury and low-key celebrities, is now positioned to become Mexico's next big luxury destination, and state leaders are well aware.
"Costalegre has always been exclusive," said Miguel Andres Hernandez Arteaga, undersecretary of tourism for the state of Jalisco in an interview at the 49th edition of the Tianguis Turistico in April. "Now we're working on nautical routes that connect Los Cabos, Punta Perula and Tamarindo to create seamless experiences for private yachts. We already have marinas in Barra de Navidad, La Manzanilla and Careyes."
But it's not just the coast drawing attention.
"We're bringing the other side of Jalisco to travelers," Hernandez Arteaga said. "Yes, people know us for mariachi and tequila, but now we want to highlight raicilla, a spirit that has been made here for more than 20 years. And our 12 Magical Towns each offer something different. There's so much more in Jalisco than the beach."
Infrastructure improvements
The diversification is supported by an infrastructure strategy that's already underway. Guadalajara's international airport has expanded both domestic and international routes. A new airport in Chalacatepec is also in development. It's currently private but projected to open to commercial traffic within a few years, according to Hernandez Arteaga.
Connectivity is improving by land, too. The newly completed highway between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta is helping forge new multi-destination itineraries.
"With the new highway, we're looking to promote two destinations in one trip," Hernandez Arteaga said. "We have to be smart, because each destination has a different market, a different daily rate and a different travel rhythm."
The numbers back this up. In the first four months of 2025, 11 million visitors arrived in Jalisco, a 1.6% year-over-year increase. The state already ranked second nationally in hotel offerings, contributing 7.4% of Mexico's total GDP, according to the federal Ministry of Tourism.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Dolmen Achieves Historic 100% in Great Place to Work® 2025, Leading in Global Workplace Well-Being
Atlanta, GA June 20, 2025 --( )-- Dolmen Group., a Colombian multinational leader in urban infrastructure, has reached an unprecedented milestone by earning a 100% rating in the Great Place to Work® 2025 certification across Colombia, the United States, Mexico, and Peru. This recognition ranks Dolmen among the top 10 workplaces globally, highlighting its inclusive and innovative workplace culture, which also thrives in diverse markets such as Dubai, China, Panama and Portugal. With over 30 years of transforming cities through solutions like smart lighting and eco-efficient urban furniture, Dolmen celebrates this achievement, reflecting 100% employee satisfaction based on anonymous surveys. The company was also named one of the Best Places to Work for Women in Colombia 2025, reinforcing its commitment to gender equity. 'This 100% score is a source of pride and drives us to continue empowering our team while innovating for sustainable cities,' said Carlos Mario Peláez, CEO of Dolmen. The company plans to expand its workplace well-being model and technological solutions to new global markets in 2025. About Dolmen Group Founded in 1994 in Barranquilla, Colombia, Dolmen leads in urban furniture, public lighting, and traffic management, with a presence in 12 countries. Contact Information: Dolmen Eduardo cortes 786-830-5929 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Dolmen Achieves Historic 100% in Great Place to Work® 2025, Leading in Global Workplace Well-Being Press Release Distributed by
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Pack Smarter, Travel Right: Sustainable Essentials For Summer Getaways
Summer vacation Summer is here! While wanderlust and all the parties and excursions fuel unforgettable memories, it can also leave a lasting mark on the planet. According to the International Air Transport Association, aviation contributes roughly 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, and when you factor in ground transportation, accommodation, food, and shopping. Furthermore, Sustainable Travel International estimates that tourism accounts for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, sustainable travel is about traveling with intention and begins before you even leave your house with how you pack. Sustainable Summer Swaps: Reusables That Outlast Disposables The majority of travel waste stems from single-use plastics and overconsumption. Six million tons end up in our coastlines and rivers annually, much of it from everyday items like shampoo bottles, food packaging, and water bottles. One of the simplest switches is to pack a low-waste travel kit which would include solid shampoo bars, your favorite bar soap, reusable razors, and refillable silicone bottles. Stylish and Sustainable: Summer Sunglasses That Do More Cheerful young couple walking on sidewalk. Sunglasses are a summer staple, but most are made from petroleum-based plastics that can take hundreds of years to degrade. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling globally. This summer, opt for brands like Sunski, which makes frames from recycled plastic. An additional option is Timberland's recycled sunglasses offer a stylish, low-impact option made with at least 35% bio-based content derived from renewable sources like castor oil plants. Smarter Summer Packing Lighter Impact Happy young tourists with suitcases Your travel gear could be negatively affecting the planet. According to a UNEP report, over 90 million tons of textiles are discarded globally each year, and yes that would include textiles from discarded luggage and travel gear. Brands like Paravel offer carbon-neutral luggage made from recycled polycarbonate, while Solgaard's Carry-On Closet is crafted from ocean-bound plastic and comes with a built-in shelving system, making sustainable organization stylish. For additional gear that performs and protects the planet, consider the Mission Workshop Control EPX Pack, a weatherproof backpack made in the USA with 100% recycled ECOPAK™ fabric and it also offers 5 times more UV resistance than standard materials hence extending product life. Greener Summer Road Trips: Lower-Impact Miles, Higher Intentions Let's face it not everyone is catching flights. If you are hitting the road this summer, you are in good company, especially in North America. According to projections from AAA, an estimated 61.6 million people in North America will travel by car, marking a 2.2% increase over last year and setting a new record for road trip volume. The Independence Day holiday period alone is expected to see 1.3 million more drivers on the road compared to 2024, underscoring the continued rise in vehicle-based travel. Carpool when possible, especially for family or friend group trips especially because shared rides reduce per-person emissions. If you are renting vehicles, opt for hybrid or electric vehicles, increasingly available through major agencies. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EVs produce fewer emissions over their lifetime compared to gasoline vehicles. For your road trips, when possible, pack light to reduce fuel consumption and map out charging or refill stations to avoid unnecessary detours. Stock the car with reusable containers, snack bags, and a travel mug, since single-use water bottles are one of the biggest culprits in travel waste. Swap them out especially since road trips are notorious for convenience store stops and the resultant waste, but a little preparation goes a long way. Additionally, travel tech doesn't have to be energy-intensive. Solar-powered gadgets like Reveal Solar Bluetooth Speaker let you stay charged without finding an outlet. Smart plugs and fridge timers also help you track and reduce electricity use when you're home or away. Close up of a young family packing up for a road trip So whether you are jetting off to a tropical escape like Aruba or cruising the coastline with your windows down, what you pack matters, not just for your experience but for the planet. From recycled luggage to refillable beauty to solar-powered tech, every small shift in your suitcase or backpack is a statement about the kind of traveler you want to be. This summer, pack smarter and be the kind of traveler who moves the world forward, one trip at a time.
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
America the Avoidable: Why Trump's Policies Could Cost US Tourism Billions
On today's Big Take podcast: How President Trump's 'American First' policies have kept international tourists away, forecasted to cost the US travel industry billions. Save Never miss an episode. Follow The Big Take daily podcast today. Global tariff wars, multi-country travel bans, detentions and phone-seizures at the border. President Trump's 'America first' policies create a grim picture for one group in particular: international tourists.
