After suffering the impact of two hurricanes, Acapulco has faced difficulties in revitalizing its main economic engine: tourism. One year after Hurricane 'Otis', there are still 8,200 hotel rooms that remain inactive and are not expected to be operational until late 2025. This represents a challenge for the region's tourism industry.
According to the Secretary of Tourism of Guerrero, Simón Quiñones, 11,500 hotel rooms have been rehabilitated so far after the impact of the devastating Category 5 hurricane, which is the most destructive recorded in the tourist port. Quiñones reported that these rooms are expected to be fully open by the end of next year, and by the end of that year, most hotel rooms in Acapulco will be operational.
Before the hurricanes, Acapulco had about 19,700 hotel rooms, but the impact of 'Otis' caused a significant decline in tourism activity. The passage of 'John' further complicated the recovery that had already begun. Despite the efforts of the Guerrero government to expedite the reopening of hotels, the new weather impact has delayed this process.
Simón Quiñones estimates that by February 2025 there will be at least 16,000 hotel rooms available in Acapulco, indicating that the recovery of the hotel sector will extend beyond the first quarter of the following year. Hotels are working on renovating their facilities to welcome tourists, who are vital to the local economy.
Additionally, it has been announced that a couple of hotels, totaling 300 rooms, will not reopen due to the damage caused by 'Otis'. On the other hand, it is expected that the Acapulco airport, which is operated by the North Central Airport Group (OMA), will be fully renovated and rehabilitated by the end of December this year, allowing for international flights from the United States and at least a couple of operations from Canada.
