Los Cabos: A Trajectory of Success

Los Cabos is booming.

There are a number of reasons for the destination’s runaway success and enduring appeal.  The global pandemic ignited a major growth spurt, for holidaymakers and real estate buyers alike. 

From the outset of COVID-19, the Los Cabos Tourism Board worked with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to obtain its global safety stamp of approval recognizing safe travel protocols. The specially designed stamp, awarded in June 2020, permitted international travelers to understand which destinations around the world had adopted global standardized health and hygiene protocols. Los Cabos was front and center on that list.

Moreover, golf, recognized as a safe ‘social distancing’ sport, has always been a key driver of upscale tourism to Los Cabos. It’s a prized amenity for guests of Pueblo Bonito Resorts, who enjoy exclusive access to Quivira Golf Club, its epic Jack Nicklaus-designed course etched across a spectacular clifftop site high above the sea. 

Safety policies and operational guidelines were enacted at Pueblo Bonito Resorts, Quivira Golf Club and at all hotels and golf facilities in Los Cabos during the pandemic. Golf and hotel staff were trained to wear masks at all times and maintain stringent hygienic standards. These protocols instilled confidence in visitors and especially in golfers, who realized the sport could be played safely here. 

The result of these initiatives has been a surge in arrivals. According to Rodrigo Esponda, the Tourism Board’s managing director, “Los Cabos is projecting an unprecedented growth in tourism by the end of this year with 3.3 million visitors, a 20% increase over 2021.” 

Looking ahead, Esponda said the destination’s stakeholders are focused on a “holistic sustainability approach,” with an accent on wellness and experiential travel. Longer stays and more personalized services and activities are also envisioned for 2023. 

As in any business, it’s all about the bottom line. The average visitor spend in Los Cabos is $2,500. The average visitor spend in Mexico is $1,100. With more 4- and 5-star resort hotels, first-class spas, and superb restaurants than any other resort area in Mexico, Los Cabos, a bucket-list destination renowned its beautiful sunny weather, has evolved from a sleepy fishing hideaway to a world-class getaway. 

Connectivity, for years the Tourism Board’s number-one concern, has been a big part of Cabo’s success. Access is everything for a destination that relies on air travel for its arrivals. 

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), recently treated to a $60 million USD renovation and expansion, is the sixth busiest airport in Mexico. Several major carriers schedule direct flights to SJD from key gateways in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with well over 500 flights per week. 

While Los Angeles remains the largest market for Los Cabos, arrivals from Dallas, Phoenix, San Francisco, San Diego and Houston, the next largest markets, continue to grow. 

In addition, new markets have been cultivated. Last year, American Airlines and JetBlue inaugurated nonstop flights from New York’s JFK International Airport to Los Cabos. (United Airlines schedules nonstop flights to SJD from Newark, N.J.). Given the New York Metropolitan area’s unparalleled demographics (it’s the largest and most affluent golf market in the nation), Cabo can expect to see more New Yorkers in its hotels and on its fairways in the months ahead. 

A magical land full of contrasts, from tall rocky peaks and thick cactus forests to the glittering blue sea, Los Cabos combines natural beauty, biodiversity, and ample amenities to stand above all others.  

The future? It’s bright and getting brighter by the day. Reserve your next Cabo getaway with us today!