After a couple of years of health ups and downs, sadness and uncertainty, with the holidays of Easter 2022 the happy and neurotic riots of occasion returned. Hotels, airports, bus terminals and busy roads. The tremendous heat pushes the beach to the spa or to a fountain.
In this spirit, and as data for the days of saving, let’s comment on one of the most surprising figures in the tourism sector and that precisely in these can be dimensioned: How many trips are made by bus in Mexico?
The National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transportation (CANAPAT) has written on its website: Currently the affiliated passenger transport companies operate in around 930 bus stations, stations and terminals throughout the country, transporting more than 3,749 million passengers a year.
The data seems crazy and refers to 2019, which was not the top year. Despite everything, and for various reasons, distances, rates, routes or customs, the people keep moving on roads and highways. Brand advertising is at full steam in digital media, although it may not seem like it.
Examples: Autobuses Elite (by Estrella Blanca) offers to take you from Guadalajara to Mazatlán or from Ciudad Obregón to Chilpancingo, Caminante (by IAMSA) from the Poniente power plant in Mexico City to the Pueblo Mágico El Oro, in the State of Mexico, and Estrella Roja offers packages from Puebla to the El Rollo water park, in Tlaquiltenango, Morelos.
Back to the numbers, the authority on the subject is the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF)who has reported that the record number of bus trips (not trucks) in Mexico is that of 2018: 3,773 million passengers (That year by plane they added just 96 million).
Prior to the Holy daysthe market research and public opinion firm PQR Planning Quant released a study on the behavior of the Mexican consumer during the season.
Among the results, it stands out that the main reason that would prevent oiprevented vacationing is not having money (This is how 62% of their respondents responded) and a year ago taking care of the coronavirus was the biggest argument.
And how the high inflation does not scare everyone, it was concluded that 37% of the population would go on vacation. The reasons for choosing the destination that their online surveys showed were: relax, see landscapes, visit a relative or friend, try typical dishes and do ecotourism.
In this regard, the experienced Iván Castro, director of the firm, shared that the medium of The transport referred to with the greatest use was the automobilefollowed by the bus and the plane, but in the case of single people the bus is preferred.
“Bus travel is the great reality and although there is an option to purchase tickets on digital platforms, the physical alternative is the most popular due to the large volume it represents,” he commented.
As attractions, CANAPAT promotes some benefits to its clients: regulated speed at 95 km per hour, travel insurance, coverage throughout the country and the increasingly desired punctuality to reach their destination.
Aware of this large market, the low-cost airlines want a larger share (IAMSA has a foot in each with VivaAerobus and many bus brands) and in response, the buses do not stop promoting tourism in their own style.
As an example, the chamber recommends knowing the Tzibanza Island, located a few minutes from the Magical Town of Cadereyta de Montes, on the border of the state of Querétaro with Hidalgo: To get there from Mexico City you must go to Querétaro from any terminal (North, South, West or East) through any of these lines: Autotravel, Primera Plus, Futura, Elite Select, Omnibus de México, Transportes Chihuahuenses, Transportes del Norte, Transportes Frontera, Buses Frontera del Norte, Autobuses Anáhuac or Senda TDN Diamante. Later, at the terminal Queretarosubtract a short distance along the Blue Arrow line.
For its part, ADO Group is already publicizing the Guelaguetzawhich returns from July 11 to August 3, after a couple of years of forced hiatus.
