Spring Break hotel reservations for San Felipe are "nil"
"No reservations is a very critical situation"
And what were they really expecting for Spring Break this year in San Felipe? The alarming part is they say the economic damage could close the
hotels for good- which need at least a 50% occupancy rate to survive. Their plan is to actually CLOSE the hotels during slow months to save operating
expenses- you think the employees get compensated for that?
The security situation is basically the same as last year, only with more bad news of some cruise lines pulling out of Mexico for lack of passengers
and some roughing up of passengers and crew. No more blaming the swine flu or saying the NOB media is blowing things out of proportion- which is
refreshing.
The Rosarito mayor is fighting the new alcohol control law that closes all nightclubs (that don't buy extra hours) in TJ and Rosarito at 1am. Good
luck on that bringing the Spring Break crowds back for this year. I wonder how the Rosarito Spring Break packages are selling?
The hotel industry in San Felipe is at risk, registering a 50% drop in foreign tourist flow in the port. In addition, for vacation of the "spring
break", American students, reservations are nil, attributed this to the image of violence in Mexico and Baja California that has abroad.
In previous years, during spring break, thousands were students from various parts of Southern California and Arizona, traveling to the port of San
Felipe.
The representative of the hotel sector, Cesar Araiza Dueñas, reported that for this holiday season may fall even rates, topping 60%.
Until yesterday, San Felipe had only 20% of hotel rooms occupied. The decline was recorded from the crisis of 2008, when it fell by 50% the flow of
American tourism and consistent during the two years did not increase it.
Araiza said the U.S. Warrants issued an image of danger and violence in Mexico have damaged the port, being at risk of closing of the hotel industry
permanently. He stated that for this season is considered high, will remain open all hotels.
But close by seasons evaluated, because it requires a minimum residential occupation of 50% to cover operating expenses and is not currently achieved.
The temporary closures will be during the off seasons, he said, because monthly costs are high and the sector does not have to pay expenses without
guests.
"No Reservations, is a very critical situation," said Araiza.
By the end of the month, he said, hotel occupancy is just over 22% of clients in the rooms.
[Edited on 2-13-2011 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
During the middle of Spring Break is the San Felipe 250 SCORE race March 11, 12 and 13 and that fills up the hotels. With pre-running two weeks before
the race most of the hotel rooms won't be available until after the 13th.
My Baja Grande event will roll into San Felipe during Semana Santa. We're sticking mainly to the backcountry, but Mrs. Cooke wants her plate of
Huevos Rancheros and I want my Baja 250 t-shirts, so we will $pend, $pend, $pend! while we are there...
So why do they make it sound so bleak? "nil" spring breakers didn't sound encouraging, but if the hotels are being filled by other groups- why the
threat of low occupancy rates and closures? Do most nomads not stay in the "spring break hotels" while participating in race events down there? You
mean camping or RVing doesn't add to the local economy? (of course they do)
It could be more college kids have less to spend with tuition skyrocketing. This is the first story I have seen for Spring Break 2011 so not sure what
other resorts are anticipating.
[Edited on 2-14-2011 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
So many other measurements of the economy point to increased consumer confidence and spending. Cabo is doing pretty well. My feeling is that it is the
proximity to the border and the crime that is the major deterrent for places like San Feleipe and Rosarito. JMHO
I stated a few months ago that my wife and her friends went to the the SF house for a week. They eventually ended up downtown, where it was "silent
and still".....the friends proceeded to buy t shirt gifts for taking back home to Sacramento. Upon payment for these shirts....the clerk broke into
tears....saying over and over....gracias gracias gracias.
Not many sales in town.
And many store fronts out of business. What a shame.
I do know last year at Spring Break.....the town was hopping.
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
I used to bring a big group of M/C ,camping families to S/F some years it was over 30 to 40 people. We had to book in advance at Pete's.
Now with the petty thefts that happened regularly and all the bad press my friends all camped this year in Arz.
Many moons ago I rolled into SF during spring break, it was a cluster f*ck. I headed out to Mikes and had the place to myself. There was a woman
there that cooked me a good dinner and breakfast and they had a cooler full of Corona's. It's one of my fondest memories of Baja.
Driving through San Felipe lately, I have noticed more Emptied out Storefronts than EVER (since 1966, anyway).
However, It's unclear whether the vacancies in Downtown are a clear indication of overall volume since so much business is moving North of town.
But, there will always be more than back in the days when you were never sure WHAT you could find in San Felipe, including Gasoline, Propane, Food,
Construction Materials and the like so those (like myself) who were satisfied in those days will still be content. It will just (perhaps) require
more advance planning.
AND, there's ALWAYS an upside to fewer people showing up.
Why would anyone go to SF for spring break? The air temps will probably be nice but there's a decent chance it will be windy and the water isn't
swim-able until much later.
SF's past spring breaks are probably a victim of college students finding better places to go as well as the perception of crime near the border.
Recently, the Arizona schools (ASU, U of A) have been heavily warning their students on their websites about doing spring break in Mexico.
Driving through San Felipe lately, I have noticed more Emptied out Storefronts than EVER (since 1966, anyway).
However, It's unclear whether the vacancies in Downtown are a clear indication of overall volume since so much business is moving North of town.
But, there will always be more than back in the days when you were never sure WHAT you could find in San Felipe, including Gasoline, Propane, Food,
Construction Materials and the like so those (like myself) who were satisfied in those days will still be content. It will just (perhaps) require
more advance planning.
AND, there's ALWAYS an upside to fewer people showing up.
Don't Worry. Be Happy.
[Edited on 2-14-2011 by MrBillM]
Empty hotels and storefronts are no different than empty or unfinished condo projects and over-hyped residential developments. They all rolled the
dice on continued economic and tourism growth and it came up craps. They just can't come to grips with that. The sad part is many pristine places in
Baja were ravaged and no one can/will restore it back to the way Nomads remember it. The decaying buildings will haunt us forever.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
Empty hotels and storefronts are no different than empty or unfinished condo projects and over-hyped residential developments. They all rolled the
dice on continued economic and tourism growth and it came up craps. They just can't come to grips with that. The sad part is many pristine places in
Baja were ravaged and no one can/will restore it back to the way Nomads remember it. The decaying buildings will haunt us forever.
I completely agree with this assessment. Drive up Hwy 1 through the 'Golden Triangle' and this is completely evident.
Originally posted by TW
During the middle of Spring Break is the San Felipe 250 SCORE race March 11, 12 and 13 and that fills up the hotels. With pre-running
two weeks before the race most of the hotel rooms won't be available until after the 13th.
Not if the current (2-14-11) entry list is any indication. Less than 100 entries at this point, if my count is correct.
That seems to me to be quite a decline over previous years. Perhaps there will be a plethora of late entries.
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law
Thankyou to Baja Bound
Mexico InsuranceServices for your long-term support of the BajaNomad.com Forums site.
Emergency Baja Contacts Include:
Desert Hawks;
El Rosario-based ambulance transport; Emergency #: (616) 103-0262
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
