Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Tourism officials are anticipating around 1.6 million hotel rooms booked for the upcoming Day of the Dead. The country’s Día de Muertos celebrations will run a general calendar this year from October 27 to November 2 with Cancun and Riviera Maya leading the way in reservations.
Since it is a national celebration, 73 percent of the hotel rooms booked are by Mexican tourists, while 27 percent are by international visitors, the government said.
The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, reported that the hotel occupancy figures represents an 2.3% increase compared to the previous year.
She noted that of the total number of visitors, 73% will be national and 27% foreign, reflecting the interest that Mexican traditions arouse throughout the world.
“Mexico is a global symbol thanks to its profound cultural and spiritual richness. The Day of the Dead is a unique celebration full of color and joy where we honor life through our traditions.
“Nowhere else in the world is there such a vibrant and moving manifestation, uniting families, awakening the interest of millions, and filling us with pride as a nation,” said Rodríguez Zamora regarding Mexico’s upcoming Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) celebrations.
“The Ministry of Tourism reaffirms its commitment to promoting and protecting the cultural expressions that make Mexico a unique destination, where heritage, hospitality and identity converge to offer experiences that transcend borders,” she said.
She highlighted that destinations such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Riviera Maya, will concentrate a large part of the tourist flow. In the state of Quintana Roo, Day of the Dead is celebrated as Janal Pixen, the Mayan festival of Día de Muertos.
Celebrations across the state have been announced starting October 30 and 31, as well as November 1 and 2, in Cancun. Carlos López Jiménez, the Director of the Institute of Culture and the Arts, explained that this year the show at Puerto Juárez in Cancun will be called “Puerto de los Suspiros” (Port of Sighs) and will last four days.
In Playa del Carmen, Janal Pixan public events will be held at Plaza 28 de Julio from October 31st to November 3rd.
