Mérida airport poised for direct flights to Las Vegas, says official
Mérida, Yucatán — A Mexican airline has laid the foundation to begin direct flights to Las Vegas, announced the state tourism secretariat.
The announcement didn’t name an airline, but it was made at a meeting organized by Aeroméxico and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Las Vegas attracts 1.2 million Mexican travelers a year. People flying out of Nevada may find direct flights to Yucatán appealing as well.
“Las Vegas has an average of 900 shopping complexes and outlets. In addition, in the near future, Mérida will have shopping centers in the style of Las Vegas,” said Fernando Hurtado, sales manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Mexico is Las Vegas’ second largest international source of visitors, after Canada.
The Las Vegas authority led a meeting at the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel for travel agents and travel operators who will sell tour packages to the resort city, which he stressed offers more than blackjack.
“We want to leave behind the idea of visiting Las Vegas only for the casinos. It is time to focus on other niche markets, such as entertainment,” he said.
He indicated that this U.S. destination offers the Yucatecans a variety of affordable options.
Yucatan’s capital was chosen as one of four destinations for a tourism exchange. Merida was picked along with Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara, which combined fly directly to Las Vegas 51 times a week via Aeroméxico, Interjet, Volaris and more recently, Viva Aerobus.
Sources: Sipse, Diario de Yucatán
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