Mexico Welcomes More U.S. Travelers from California, More Flights

Following a visit to Los Angeles in February by Mexico Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara Manzo, Mexico is gearing up for an influx of visitors from California --particularly those in the luxury segment.

Guevara met with Jack Richards, president of Pleasant Holidays, who reported that the tour operator has seen a 50 percent increase in bookings to Mexico for the first quarter of 2012 and a 100 increase in luxury bookings.

The higher numbers are attributed to new routes operated by United Airlines, which is set to fly from Los Angeles to Durango, and Airtran Airways, slated to launch new daily service between John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif. and Los Cabos and Mexico City.

Indeed, Mexico now has more international flights from the U.S. overall with Delta Air Lines again offering direct service between Atlanta and Acapulco and Mexican low-cost carrier Interjet launching service between Mexico City and Miami on Feb. 23, with two daily flights on weekdays and a single flight on Saturdays and Sundays.

The airline is expected to grow between 12 and 15 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, AirTran Airways, now owned by Southwest Airlines, will soon begin two new services from Denver to Cancun as of April 17. On July 8, frequency will be reduced to four flights per week until Aug.

A dozen flights will be operated on Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 28. The new Austin-Cancun service will be launched with four weekly flights between May 25 and Aug. 31. Services will be reduced to three flights per week in September.