Mexican tourism in LA will return to pre-pandemic level in 2023

The economic benefit of Mexican tourists in Los Angeles, United States, is clear to Adam Burke, president of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, who assures that, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the destination will not have a full recovery until go back to the figures of 2019: one million 731,000 people.

The sanitary restrictions caused that in 2020 only 69,300 Mexicans arrived and by the end of this year, with the opening of activities they estimate to reach one million 600,000.

“By 2023 we will start to see growth. We expect to receive one million 823,000 visitors that year, which will imply revenues of around 625 million dollars. That is why we are resuming our promotional actions in this country, which is our main issuing market”, she commented in an interview.

In that desire to return to pre-pandemic levels, Burke is clear that there is an obstacle: the downgrading to category 2 by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which prevents Mexican airlines from increasing frequencies or routes.

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“I am part of the executive committee of the US Travel Association and yes, it has been part of the conversation with the Department of Commerce, but also with the Department of State, they have asked to change the classification of Mexico, because the greater number of routes and flights It would help Los Angeles as a destination and the US as a country to receive more visitors,” he added.

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board is the official sales and marketing organization and has more than 1,000 members, including attractions, restaurants, hotels and museums.

An incentive plan to fly

Last week, Adam Burke led a visit to Mexico to meet with his business partners and among his companions was Justin Erbacci, president of Los Angeles World Airports, the firm that operates the Los Angeles Airport, who stated that they have already returned to operating the 17 routes they had in 2019 (the most successful are Los Angeles-Guadalajara and Los Angeles-Mexico).

However, they want more passengers and so they have come up with a plan.

We are trying to encourage more activity than there was before. Seven months ago we created an incentive program for the airlines with which we have a relationship to open more destinations, we did it for the whole world, but particularly thinking about Mexico and new routes, ”he added.

The director explained that the offer they make is that in the first year of activity they do not pay anything for airport services and in the second only 50%, so that in the third year they are regularized. In addition, during this period they also support campaigns to promote the new activity.

Unfortunately, Mexico has not been able to benefit from that program, but he is sure that once they can fly again, the airlines will have more activity in the destination.

At the moment, it is certain that US companies such as American, United or JetBlue have increased frequencies because demand is growing at a good pace.

In addition, travelers have already begun to see the benefits of an investment of more than 15,000 million dollars in the renovation of the airport that is a major US hub.

alejandro.delarosa@eleconomista.mx