Background on Querétaro’s Hotel Sector
Querétaro, Qro. After a low hotel activity in the first quarter of 2025, expectations for the hotel sector have improved for the remainder of the year.
April Boosts Hotel Industry
According to Mónica Aguilar Torrentera, president of the Queretaro Hotel Association (AQH), April injected dynamism into the hotel industry, leading to an approximate 60% occupancy rate in the first four months.
Semana Santa Demand Fluctuations
During the Semana Santa vacation period, demand ranged from 50 to 55% in hotels affiliated with the AQH.
First Quarter Challenges
In the first quarter, hotel occupancy saw a reduction of four to five percentage points compared to the previous year. This decline might have been influenced by Semana Santa occurring in different months, as March 2024 had the holiday while April 2025 did.
El primer trimestre fue complicado, cerramos 4-5 puntos porcentuales abajo del año pasado, que también coincide con que en marzo del año pasado fue Semana Santa y esta vez fue en abril y eso nos juega con los números.
Positive Outlook for the Rest of the Year
The hotel sector’s outlook is better for the rest of the year due to upcoming sports and music events that could boost occupancy.
Abril fue mucho mejor. (…) Empezó a mejorar. Viene mayo con una expectativa mucho más positiva. Tenemos grupos y algunos eventos que llegan para los próximos meses. (…) Vienen eventos deportivos importantes como el nacional de tecnológicos, vemos que viene mucho mejor.
Business vs Leisure Tourism
Mónica Aguilar Torrentera explained that business tourism demand increases during the week, while leisure tourism dominates on weekends. Business travel decreases during holidays.
Querétaro’s Hotel Landscape
Querétaro hosts around 1,404 accommodations across 15 of its 18 municipalities, according to the 2024 Economic Annual report.
- Tequisquiapan and San Juan del Río have the most units, with over 300 in each.
- Querétaro City, Ezequiel Montes, and Corregidora follow with significant numbers.
Recent and Upcoming Investments
Mónica Aguilar Torrentera mentioned ongoing investments in the sector, with a newly opened business-focused hotel and another investment near the Historic Center in Querétaro City.
Key Questions and Answers
- What challenges did the hotel sector face in Q1 2025? The first quarter saw a reduction of four to five percentage points in hotel occupancy compared to the previous year, partly due to Semana Santa occurring in different months.
- What factors contribute to the improved outlook for the hotel industry in Querétaro? The state will host sports and music events that could increase hotel occupancy.
- What types of tourism impact Querétaro’s hotel demand? Business tourism demand increases during the week, while leisure tourism dominates on weekends. Business travel decreases during holidays.
- How many hotels are there in Querétaro, and which municipios have the most? Querétaro hosts around 1,404 accommodations across 15 municipios. Tequisquiapan and San Juan del Río have the most units, with over 300 in each.
- What recent and upcoming investments are there in Querétaro’s hotel sector? A new business-focused hotel has recently opened, and another investment is planned near the Historic Center in Querétaro City.
