Regional focus
A region
hen they came, with their steel swords and horses, the conquistadors were amazed by what they saw. They were bewildered by the architecture, the way stepped limestone temples soared to the sky. They were amazed by the markets where thousands gathered daily, hawking gold, brass and silver. They were even impressed by the food: the maize, the meats, the little cakes made from eggs. It was all so astounding, in fact, that sometimes they doubted it was real. “I am fully aware,” admitted Hernán Cortés, the leader of the Spanish expedition, soon after his men had conquered this new world, “that the account will appear so wonderful as to be deemed scarcely worthy of credit.”
W The Mexico first seen by Cortés, early in the 16th
century, has since vanished into history. Yet some of its wonders live on. Visit Mexico City and you can see the same temples he saw – even if now they are flanked by potholed highways and taxis. Head east from the metropolis and you can see where the Spaniards first landed, the beaches just as amber as they were in 1519. And beyond the heartland of Mexico – where the Aztecs and the Maya once roamed – the rest of Central
Hotel Management International /
www.hmi-online.com
Central America and Mexico have long had reputations as places to kick back and enjoy some sun. But though the classic beach resorts are still popular along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, hoteliers are increasingly encouraging broader experiences too. And why not? From fabulous natural beauty to elegant cityscapes, this is a region with plenty to offer, especially now that local governments are investing heavily in infrastructure. But with the threat of violence ever present, can Central America truly fulfil its potential? Andrea Valentino talks to Mario Carbone, managing director of development for Mexico and Central America at Hilton, and Alejandro Aceveda, regional vice-president of development for Mexico and Central America at Marriott, to learn more.
on the rise
America offers bounties too. In the far south is Costa Rica, boasting 28 national parks and 6% of the planet’s biodiversity. There is also El Salvador, with its brooding army of volcanoes, or Honduras and its lakes. And there are islands – dozens of them – tourist gems scattered like shrapnel down the picturesque Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Nor is all this just for show. Hospitality is the lifeblood of this region: in 2019 it contributed 17% of the Mexican GDP alone, according to data from Knoema. And following the tourists are the hoteliers, building luxury hideaways and affordable hideouts from Panama to the Rio Grande. Buoyed by strong investment in infrastructure, there are signs that the region is thinking about the future. Not that the path ahead is free of hurdles. Unlike elsewhere, Covid-19 failed to seriously dampen Central American hospitality. But just as Hernán Cortés found when he came to Mexico, this can be a dangerous place, with gangs killing some tourists and convincing others to stay home. What this means for regional hospitality remains uncertain – even if the consequences for locals are increasingly stark.
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Hilton Cancun
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