Overview and Relevance
In an effort to boost tourism, shopping centers in Puebla, Mexico, have implemented a discount campaign offering up to 30% off for visitors staying in local hotels. This strategy aims to increase weekday foot traffic, benefiting both the centers and local businesses.
Background on Key Figures
Andrés De La Luz Espinoza, the Executive Director of the Association of Commercial Centers in Puebla (Acecop), oversees 74 commercial complexes participating in this initiative. Under his leadership, the campaign has shown positive results for local businesses.
Campaign Details and Impact
Since the campaign’s inception three months ago, local businesses have experienced increased customer traffic and sales. Although the economic impact is minimal, it provides crucial support to struggling stores, especially during slower weekends.
De La Luz Espinoza highlighted that tourism from the Bajío and Estado de México regions has been growing steadily over the past four years, while the south-southeast market has also strengthened.
Collaboration with Hotels
The campaign primarily involves independent businesses offering discounts, while chain stores and restaurants have not joined the initiative. However, they were invited as they are part of the commercial complexes.
De La Luz Espinoza emphasized that no similar discount campaign exists elsewhere in the country, and it has positively influenced tourists’ decision to visit participating shopping centers during future Puebla trips.
Large Shopping Centers’ Involvement
Larger shopping centers, housing between 200 and 300 stores, have embraced this strategy due to their appeal to out-of-town visitors. These centers serve as alternative attractions outside Puebla’s Historic Center.
Support from the Hotel Industry
The hotel sector has been instrumental in promoting these discounts, as budget-conscious tourists carefully manage their spending during vacations.
With 200 hotels participating in the campaign, the initiative aims to expand to nearby municipalities starting in the second half of the year.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of this campaign? The primary objective is to attract more tourists to Puebla’s shopping centers by offering discounts, thereby increasing weekday foot traffic and supporting local businesses.
- Who is participating in the discount campaign? Predominantly independent businesses are offering discounts, while chain stores and restaurants have not joined the initiative.
- How has this campaign affected local businesses? Local businesses have experienced increased customer traffic and sales since the campaign’s launch.
- What role do hotels play in this initiative? Hotels have been crucial in promoting the discounts and helping tourists manage their vacation budgets.
- How many shopping centers and hotels are involved in this campaign? 74 commercial complexes, comprising 5,000 stores (70% of which are independently owned), and 200 hotels are participating in the campaign.
