Canadians cannot return without a PCR test
During December 2020, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, maintained a tourist influx of 46% in the 17 thousand hotel rooms, which is considered good occupancy taking into account that only 50% is allowed to operate, however at this beginning of year will depend on issuing country restrictions.
Mauricio Salicrup. President of Los Cabos Hotel Association: “…We are currently working around 46% and obviously we are visualizing that this may change depending on the new regulations that the issuing countries are having … “
The Canadian government, which recently opened travel restrictions, requires its citizens that upon their return they must have proof of Covid
Rodrigo Esponda, Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust: “… They are asking for a certificate of a PCR test and this has affected the flow of Canadians who are traveling worldwide …”
Mauricio Salicrup. President of Los Cabos Hotel Association: “… each business unit has PCR testing services for guests, obviously as it is nothing more than Canadian tourism and they were not allowed to leave until before this, there is little Canadian that we currently have in the destination… “
This provision has generated cancellations or postponement of trips to Los Cabos, affecting the flow that was normally had this month.
Rodrigo Esponda, Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust: “traditionally we had more than 50,000 Canadian tourists coming throughout the month, obviously that number today is very small”
Canada represents an important segment in international tourism in Los Cabos by stay and by the increase in tourists in recent years
Rodrigo Esponda, , Dir. Los Cabos Tourist Trust: “… over the years it has grown at double digits from 2017 to 2019 it grew 35% and it is a market that also stays longer, its average stay is 12 days, which it is longer than the traditional tourist who comes to Los Cabos, with an average spill, therefore also higher … ”
The cost of PCR tests are high, affecting the budget of travelers, so those who have chosen to postpone their trips, however, work has been done to create a testing scheme by the state government.
Rodrigo Esponda, Dir. Los Cabos Tourist Trust: “… some are at $ 200, $ 250, depending on the laboratory and depending on market issues …”
Juan Carlos del Río, Spokesperson for travel agencies in Los Cabos: “..The solutions can, of course, be to renegotiate those test cost prices in volume levels … the tourist’s pocket is affecting him in an expense that he had not considered … ”
As for American tourism, it will be from January 26 when the new travel measures come into force, with the delivery of results of the PCR or serological tests of Covid 19 being a requirement to board the plane back.
Rodrigo Esponda, Director of FITURCA: “… a printed or digital certificate must be presented, issued either by a qualified laboratory or by a qualified medical staff that certifies that the antigen or PCR test was performed …”
At the moment the institutions carry out the strategies to carry out the covid tests in an efficient and economical way
Rodrigo Esponda, Director of FITURCA: “what we are working on is that the hotels can carry out the test in the hotel facilities
we also believe that it is a mechanism that may even be included in the price …”
Undoubtedly, 2021 will imply new challenges in international arrivals to Los Cabos as these measures could reduce reservations and stays
Rodrigo Esponda Dir. From FITURCA: ”… being realistic the Canadian market in general is lost, there is a recommendation from the Canadian government not to travel anywhere internationally… then it seems to me that the situation is completely different than in the case of the United States…”
Even so, Los Cabos is preparing to face the new protocols of the North American traveler, proposing strategies that allow the safety of tourists and the sector to continue advancing towards a speedy economic recovery.
