Desolation in Acapulco: A Portrait of the Tourist Crisis
“When you arrive, the first thing you notice is a dusty Acapulco, not from trash, but from dust,” comments one of the few tourists who decided to spend the weekend at the port. In fact, this is not the Acapulco of the past. The image has drastically changed following hurricanes Otis in October 2023 and John in September of this year, which swept through and destroyed everything in their path. The characteristic scent of the sea has been replaced by the smell of concrete and fresh paint due to the massive reconstruction efforts that have begun to transform the Guerrero port.
It has been a year since Otis made landfall and a month since the impact of John was felt. It's a Friday afternoon, and the sound of music from some local establishments intermingles with the noise of drilling on Miguel Alemán Coastal Avenue, creating a dusty atmosphere as waiters try to grab the attention of the few passersby with menus in hand. The shortage of tourists is evident; rather, the National Guard and construction workers dominate the scene. Undoubtedly, Guerrero's economy is suffering severely from the impact of Otis. According to Inegi data, the third quarter of 2023 showed a growth of 4.5%, but in the fourth quarter, following the disaster, growth turned negative, dropping to -2.8%. The first quarter of 2024 continued to perform poorly, reaching -1.8%.
No tourists and no aid A thin man with thick glasses approaches, eager to offer some drinks near the beach. His name is Héctor, a 53-year-old waiter who speaks about the disaster of tourism, which is glaringly absent, especially among domestic travelers, as foreign tourists are nearly non-existent in Acapulco. He recalls how after Hurricane John, the promised financial aid has yet to arrive. He reflects on how the response was immediate after Otis, acknowledging the work of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who sent a bonus of 28,000 pesos, followed by another of 32,000, along with appliances. In contrast to the single basic food basket provided after John, Héctor remains optimistic: “We are moving forward!” The drop in tourism is not just a visible reality; the numbers from Sectur prove it. From January to August 2024, the Acapulco International Airport recorded 1,772 arrivals, representing a drop of 1,110 compared to the same period in 2023. Most of these flights were domestic, with only 15 international arrivals, far below the 157 logged last year.
Sales as low as 80 pesos a day! The lack of tourists is leaving a mark on the local economy, causing few businesses to survive. In the afternoons, many restaurants can hardly fill two tables. Their employees insist on attracting customers, though few succeed. Next door, shops selling clothing, footwear, and souvenirs face an even harsher reality. Not even discounts of 60% can lure in visitors. María, a vendor at the "El Pueblito" crafts market, expresses her frustration: “We were just starting to recover, and now we’re falling again.” Since John, her sales have been disastrous; some days she barely manages to sell items worth 100 pesos, which is not enough to get by. “How does one survive like this?” she muses despondently. Guerrero, one of the states with the highest levels of labor poverty, is taking a hard hit, as more than 52% of its population lives on less than what is needed to cover the basic food basket.
A vanished nightlife Acapulco's reputation for its vibrant nightlife seems like a distant memory. On weekends, parties have become nearly non-existent; bars and nightclubs are deserted, with only a few customers found at the tables. Musical performances continue, but the audience is conspicuously absent. “We’ve started closing early because no one comes out at night,” a resigned waitress shares. The calandrias, those beautiful carriages that offer rides along the beach, remain still, waiting for a customer. Mario, an experienced 27-year-old driver, admits he has never seen a scene like this: “Yeah, it’s the worst time ever.” Despite all of this, people on the beach breathe an air of tranquility, but deep concern lingers among the residents, fearing the arrival of more hurricanes.
Remnants of tragedy A year ago, this very place hosted a group of journalists at the Mining Convention, and today the Pierre Mundo Imperial, which served as shelter during the storm, is now closed and under repair. The guard indicates they will open again, but many others like the Princess must remain closed until further notice due to the severe consequences of Otis. While some hotels are recovering their capacity, others are still grappling with the aftermath of the natural disaster. The economic activity of Acapulco is a far cry from what it once was, and tourists’ mistrust may take a long time to heal.
Nostalgia and the glory days feel distant, and on every corner, residents eagerly await the return of better times, especially hoping to revitalize the economy with the upcoming holiday festivities.
Final comment: Acapulco's current situation underscores the fragility of an economy based on tourism, especially in regions vulnerable to natural disasters. Economic diversification and risk mitigation plans must be a true intention to ensure a sustainable future and prevent catastrophic events from continually affecting the lives of the locals. Ultimately, recovery will also depend on tourists’ interest, and if they do not feel safe or confident, the path to reactivation will be even more challenging.
