La Paz is consolidating its position as a tourist destination of growing global interest.
In recent years, the proportion of international tourists has climbed from 15% to 25%, an increase that the president of the Association of Hotel and Tourism Companies of La Paz, A.C. (EMPRHOTUR), Agustín Olachea, attributes to the success of promotional strategies.
How is the increase in international tourism transforming La Paz’s hotel landscape?
La Paz’s growing appeal to international tourism has sparked the interest of hotel investors nationwide.
Olachea emphasized that, “For investors in the tourism and hotel sector nationwide, La Paz is already top of mind as the next destination they want to invest in.”
This renewed interest is materializing in concrete projects, such as the long-awaited return of the Hotel Perla and the planning of at least two or three more boutique hotels.
“The Hotel Perla, which has been through some project indefinition, but they have the resources to do it, seems like they’ll open their doors by the end of the year, and it’s going to be a great boutique hotel,” stated the president of EMPRHOTUR, anticipating a strengthening of the city’s high-quality accommodation offering.
La Paz is currently considered one of the most welcoming destinations according to Booking.
What requirements must new hotel investments meet to be welcomed in La Paz?
While enthusiasm for tourism development is palpable, there is a clear consensus that new investments must align with the values and needs of La Paz.
Olachea emphasized that “investments that need to come to La Paz must meet certain requirements. Not everything can fit in this city. They have to be investments that respect the environment, that are socially responsible, right? And that also seek to respect our culture.”
In this sense, large-scale hotel megaprojects, such as Kuni, which was recently canceled, are categorically rejected.
“We can’t have a hotel brand that wants to open in La Paz and offer 850 rooms. It doesn’t fit in La Paz,” Olachea stated, underscoring the vision of turning La Paz into Mexico’s number one boutique tourist destination, prioritizing developments that harmonize with its surroundings and identity.
Is water scarcity an insurmountable obstacle to tourism growth in La Paz?
Concern over water supply is a recurring theme in the context of tourism development. However, Agustín Olachea maintains a proactive stance:
“I think we should seek to generate water so as not to halt development. It’s not the other way around; development isn’t halted because there’s no water.”
In this regard, he advocates for the active exploration of solutions such as desalination, citing international examples of destinations that have achieved significant tourism growth through smart water resource management.
“Globally, we have places like Dubai that tell me, ‘Did development stop because there was no water?’ No, they looked for alternative sources of drinking water,” explained the president of EMPRHOTUR.
Source: posta
