Recently published research from Travel & Tourism Intelligence Center, “Destination Market Insights; Mexican Caribbean”, is now available at Fast Market Research
[USPRwire] Destination Market Insights; Mexican Caribbean provides an overview of the tourism market in the Mexican Caribbean, analyzing market data and providing insights. This report provides an outline of the number of tourists visiting the Mexican Caribbean, main destination markets, spending habits, airlines, attractions, and hotel development
Key Findings
The Mexican Caribbean (official name Quintana Roo, consisting of the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Chetumal) is Mexico’s main tourist area and welcomed 9.4 million tourists in 2013, an 8.9% increase in comparison to the previous year

Full Report Details at: http://www.fastmr.com/prod/955623_destination_market_insights_mexican_caribbean.aspx?afid=302

The key factors driving this growth can partly be attributed to the diversity of the Mexican Caribbean with different areas serving different target markets. Drug-related violence in other parts of the country had a positive effect on the Mexican Caribbean (which is considered to be relatively safe) with many international tourists choosing this area over others

The US is the key source market; Cancun is a particularly popular spring break destination for American tourists. Canada, the UK, and Spain are the other main source markets
The main airport for the Mexican Caribbean is Cancun International Airport, which is the largest airport in terms of international passengers in Mexico.

Airport expansion is on the way, which will increase passenger capacity from 16 to 26 million. New York, Atlanta, and Dallas are the busiest international routes for Cancun International Airport

The report provides detailed market analysis, information, and insights, including:

* Tourist data covering the Mexican Caribbean tourism sector
* Detailed analysis of key trends, main destination markets, hotels, and airlines

Reasons to Buy
Make strategic business decisions using market data related to the Mexican Caribbean tourism sector

Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Mexican Caribbean tourism sector, along with risks and opportunities for the region

Related story:

Secrets to an affordable Caribbean family vacation

By Lisa Frederick From Ciao Bambino!

The Caribbean is a blissful family escape, but paradise comes with a price. From accommodations to dining, it’s one of the most expensive regions for a vacation. That said, there are ways to enjoy a Caribbean getaway without major damage to the bank account. Try these tips for keeping costs in line:

Best Tips for Saving Money on a Caribbean Vacation

Go in the off-season

Peak travel time for the Caribbean is exactly when it’s cold and dreary in the U.S. and Europe — December through early spring. Travel at a less popular time of year and prices usually plummet, from airfare to accommodations. As a bonus, you often can find terrific package deals.

Many properties close annually from the end of summer through early fall, but the periods just before and after can be great times to visit. I’ve been to Jamaica in August, the Grenadines and Barbados in May, and St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos in November … all wonderful. Summer is hot and muggy, but not as unbearable as it may sound; ocean breezes keep temperatures fairly consistent throughout the year.

The tradeoff for low-season travel is a higher rain risk, though I’ve never yet had weather ruin a Caribbean vacation. Typically, it’s just a few showers that blow in and out as the day passes. For the best odds, pick an ABC island (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), as they tend to stay dry and sunny.

TIP: Trip insurance is a good idea any time of year, but crucial if you book a Caribbean trip for hurricane season (roughly June through November). Don’t take a chance on losing both your vacation and your vacation budget to a storm.

Pick the right island

Some, such as St. Bart’s and Anguilla, cater to the luxury market — visitors aren’t likely to find true deals there no matter when they go. Opt for an island that offers a wider range of pricing. Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico are usually my top suggestions for a variety of accommodations across all price categories. While there are plenty of upscale hotels and resorts on each, there are also some less pricey gems.

Also, low-cost carriers such as JetBlue, Spirit and others offer reasonable fares to many Caribbean islands. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular destination, try doing the legwork to find out where you can fly for the lowest price, then working around that to plan the trip.

TIP: Don’t forget about Mexico. The Riviera Maya is part of the Caribbean too, and inexpensive flights into Cancun are easy to find. Affordable yet high-quality hotels and resorts abound in this area. It’s the exact same ocean for a much lower price tag — a win-win.

Skip the mega-resorts

Accommodations are usually the main budget-buster for a Caribbean vacation. Large resorts have enormous pools, all-inclusive pricing, and/or a huge variety of onsite activities, and those are great perks. But none of that comes cheap. Resort fees can be as much as 10-15 percent of room rates (and that’s in addition to local taxes). Instead, consider a small boutique property — fewer bells and whistles often translate to lower pricing. You don’t have to sacrifice creature comforts, but there’s no need to pay the overhead for a lengthy menu of amenities you may or may not use.

Another great strategy? Rent a standalone villa, which can be much less expensive than choosing a resort. Economies of scale come into play here — share a villa with at least one other family and the costs drop for everyone. Many villa rates include a housekeeper and/or private chef; eating in-house usually saves a lot of money.

The key is to make sure to rent through a reputable agency. We manage a list of vetted, family-friendly agencies in the region; send a request through My Trip Planner for help. One fantastic bet: the Long Hill Road Villa on Jamaica, part of the CB! Hotel Collection via our partner Kid and Coe.

Book a less expensive room category

Gazing over the water from the bedroom window is a treat, but the same panorama can be seen from the hotel grounds. If you’re on a budget, book a garden view or partial ocean view room. You lose the amazing vistas, but the savings can be a worthy tradeoff.

Eat local

Food is another major expense for a Caribbean getaway. The good news is that inexpensive dining is plentiful on most islands — you just have to know where to look. Ask locals to recommend their favorite food stands and simple restaurants. They can almost always steer you to a delicious meal that’s fresher and more authentic than the fare at many resorts, for a fraction of the cost.

Ready to Plan a Caribbean Family Vacation?

We can help! Our Family Vacation Consultants can book accommodations, suggest activities, arrange guides and more. Go to My Trip Planner to send us a request.

IMAGES:
A classic Caribbean panorama in Turks & Caicos
World-class golf at Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic
The Long Hill Road Villa in Jamaica is a terrific choice for larger families or groups. Photo courtesy of Kid and Coe.
Editor’s Note: Photos by Ciao Bambino unless otherwise noted.

For more on this story go to: http://ciaobambino.com/affordable-caribbean-family-vacation-tips/