Morelos projects 2 billion pesos in tourism revenue from summer vacation, expects 1.6 million visitors

The state of Morelos in Mexico is projecting a significant economic boost from tourism during the summer vacation period, with an estimated 2 billion pesos (approximately $118 million USD) in revenue and 1.6 million visitors expected between July 15 and August 30. This forecast comes as Governor Margarita González Saravia officially launched the Summer Vacation 2026 Operation. During the launch event, Governor González Saravia implored tourism operators and service providers to cease public criticism of the state's issues. She argued that negative discourse directly harms the local economy, stating, "He who speaks ill, closes doors on himself; he who speaks ill of the state hurts the businessman." The governor emphasized the need for the private sector to focus on promoting the state's strengths and tourism infrastructure rather than dwelling on existing challenges. Official estimates from the Secretariat of Tourism indicate an average hotel occupancy rate of 45% across the state's various regions during the six-week holiday period. These projections are based on data from the Tourism Observatory, which reported that Morelos attracted 11 million visitors last year under conditions of "saldo blanco," meaning no significant incidents. The state government aims to leverage the summer season to bolster its economy, encouraging a positive narrative around its attractions and services. The focus on promoting strengths is intended to attract visitors and reassure investors, despite underlying issues that the governor acknowledged require attention but should not be aired publicly by industry stakeholders.