Looking for the perfect family vacation or perhaps a romantic couples getaway? Mexico has lots to offer — and Paul Wiseman, Trafalgar USA president, took time to offer his own personal recommendations, based on some of his company’s best-selling Mexico tour itineraries.
Mexico Family Travel
LatinFlyer.com: How big a destination is Mexico for family travel?
Wiseman: Following 9/11, we have seen a dramatic upswing in the number of families with teenage children travelling together. Considering that baby boomers are such a massive part of our business, to have the teenage child demographic as our fastest growing age group is very interesting and a positive indicator that multi-generational travel is increasing in popularity.
How should someone decide if a family vacation in Mexico is right for them?
The three worst qualification questions in travel are: “where, when and how much “ – (where do you want to go, when do you want to go, how much do you want to spend) as they tell you nothing about [a traveler’s] goals, dreams, desires, the amount of research they have done or their experience level with the product or the destination.
Trafalgar’s Guided vacations contain very specific “Insider experiences,” such an exclusive “Be My Guest” dining experience. The qualification process should lead the conversation directly to those unique travel experiences.
What are your biggest-selling Mexico travel experiences for families?
For families, Our Mexico Copper Canyon trip is by far our most popular itinerary.
Why is it so popular?
Trafalgar’s Mexico’s Copper Canyon itinerary is ideal since it takes families on an adventure south of the border. [You can] see the giant saguaro cacti of the Sonoran Desert, the only place in the world where they grow wild, on your way to the sparkling Sea of Cortez, where a private scenic cruise awaits. Embark on a guided tour of the first cultured pearl farm, then travel to the foothills of the Sierra Madres to visit a living museum, see cobblestone streets, and enjoy local culture.
In El Fuerte, guests will meet local Mayo Indians and enjoy a private Be My Guest dining experience at the Torres Family mansion, where traditional Spanish and native dances follow a meal of local specialties, including Black Bass caught fresh from the El Fuerte River. Guests will board a private rail car on the “Train in the Sky” while traveling through Mexico’s Copper Canyon which is four times larger than Arizona’s Grand Canyon on the way to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paquime.
Mexico Travel for Couples and Romance
What types of people are most likely to enjoy Mexico for romance-oriented vacations?
50+ married couples are seeking the experiences in Mexico beyond the beach resort; they have most likely done a number of cruises and resort stays. They are now looking for something more in-depth, experiencing the local culture and interacting with the locals.
How can travelers decide if this type of experience is right for them?
The qualification process should explore the concept of “active sightseeing” and the enriching aspects of that kind of travel, versus the “flop and drop:” kind of beach only destination vacation.
What are your biggest-selling destinations and packages for couples in Mexico?
Treasures of the Yucatan is the largest-selling couples vacation, as it explores much more deeply the culture and history, AND includes a visit to a cooking school.
So this itinerary offers a more in-depth cultural experience than many tours?
Trafalgar’s Treasures of the Yucatan itinerary is ideal for couples/romance travel, as it showcases a spectrum of Mexico as only an insider can by visiting cities like Cancun and Riviera Maya along the Caribbean Sea, the jungles of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Campeche, and the Gulf of Mexico in Merida. Travelers explore the recently-excavated Mayan archaeological site of Ek Balam, visit enchanting colonial towns, navigate through the canals of the Celestun Biosphere Reserve for pink flamingoes, and wonder at the architectural masterworks of the Great Acropolis, Pyramid of Five Stories, and Chichen Itza. Also included is the exclusive Be My Guest dinner at Master Chef David Sterling.