Prolonged security and customs checks at Tepic International Airport have become a major source of frustration for tourists arriving in the Nayarit capital.
This was acknowledged by the state’s Secretary of Tourism, Juan Enrique Suárez del Real Tostado, who noted that these practices have negatively impacted the visitor experience and could damage the destination’s image. According to the official, numerous complaints have been received regarding excessive wait times, stemming from an inspection model applied across the board to all passengers.
This system, he explained, contrasts sharply with the procedures used at other airports in the country, where inspections are conducted randomly on a small percentage of travelers, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient exit from the terminal.
Suárez del Real detailed that, in some cases, tourists have reported delays of up to two hours to complete the inspection process, a situation that generates discomfort, fatigue, and frustration, especially among those arriving with the expectation of a quick and orderly transit. These conditions, he warned, could discourage future visits and affect the growth of the state’s air connectivity.
Given this situation, the Secretary of Tourism reported that the issue has already been raised with the administration of the Tepic International Airport, with the aim of reviewing and improving inspection protocols. He emphasized the importance of providing efficient and appropriate service to visitors, considering that the airport experience represents the first and last contact tourists have with the destination.
Finally, he reiterated that greater coordination between authorities and airport operators will be sought to guarantee service that meets the expectations of those who visit Nayarit. “We also had many complaints from arriving tourists that customs was checking all passengers, without following the passenger screening model used in other airports, where 30% or 35% of departing passengers are screened. So imagine; I arrive in Tepic wanting to get to the airport quickly and it takes me two hours to get out because they’re checking every arriving tourist for two hours. It’s an inconvenience, so we also spoke with the airport about that.”
Source: nayaritendigital
