Dubai, the new Mecca of International Tourism Photo: Viajar Dubai
By: Luis Fernando Heras Portillo
Tourism, commercial and industrial business developer
Dubai has become the biggest star of the 21st century. This is due, in part, to the success achieved in tourism, which undoubtedly makes the Arab city «The New Mecca of International Tourism».
But this was not accomplished overnight: it is the result of a vision of future of those who founded the United Arab Emirates 50 years ago. The sheikhs built the nation with unity and political will, using the resources from oil and natural gas to diversify their economy, basically in the financial, real estate, commercial and tourism sectors.
But being a Tourist Emporium is not only about making hotels. There is a whole formula behind their great success. A formula from which Sonora could learn to take advantage of its tourist potential and climb to the next level.
Mexico, from the Mayan Riviera Riviera Maya to the Sea of Cortez Riviera, have a truly impressive advantage in terms of natural resources and attractions, which are valuable arguments to attract investors with the purpose of building large-scale tourist infraestructire.
This can be explained by a simple principle: supply and demand. When a destination has real estate supply, such as houses, condominiums, hotels, golf courses, restaurants, bars and many other attractions, the demand increases because tourism is based on pleasure and fun. That’s what attracts, mainly. And to attract people you have to create an offer.
Worldwide, tourist offer can be measured in hotel rooms. And the cities with the highest number of hotel rooms worldwide are Las Vegas (152,000), Orlando (150,000), Paris (140,000), Barcelona (120,000), and Chicago, New York, Washington, Bangkok, Dubai and London with 100,000 each.
But in the case of Dubai, it is impressive that this devellopment has been achieved only in the last 25 years, The enormous tourist infrastructure they have is surprising: from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world with a height of 282 meters and 163 floors that includes hotels, luxury residences and corporate suites; the Burj Al Arab, the iconic “sailboat” hotel; the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the world, and the famous Dubai Gold Souk, which holds the Guinness World Record for housing the world’s largest ring.
As for 5-star hotels, the three main cities that has the most are London with 75; Dubai, with 61, and New York with 59. However, Dubai is already working on more than 15 5-star hotel projects that will catapult the city to overtake London and become number 1 in the world.
As for 5-star hotels, the three main cities that stand out are London, with 75; Dubai, with 61, and New York with 59. However, Dubai is already working on more than 15 5-star hotel projects that will catapult the city to overtake London and become number 1 in the world.
Mexico has about 24,000 hotels distributed mainly in the Riviera Maya with 90,000 hotel rooms, Jalisco with 67,000, Mexico City with 52,000 and Veracruz with 42,000.
As for Sonora, the entity has 17,000 hotel rooms that are distributed mainly in Puerto Peñasco with 5,508 and Guaymas with 2,088 (beach tourism); Hermosillo with 5,698 and Cajeme with 2,333 (business tourism), and Álamos with 496 (colonial tourism).
This means that we have a lot of work to do. Although we cannot compare ourselves with the great world tourist destinations, in Sonora we have enormous potential because of our geographical location, neat to the border with the United States, the largest consumption market. Due to this, we are in the right place to have big tourism, commercial and industrial developments.
This argument is based on the dozens of market studies that have been carried out mainly in Puerto Peñasco, which affirm that the attraction of tourists begins with the development of the real estate market. Being just 100 kilometers from the border with Lukeville, Arizona, Puerto Peñasco’s beaches, as well as others in Caborca and San Luis Río Colorado, are of interest of potential clients in the United States, mainly from Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas, who have a high purchasing power to be able to buy seaside properties.
This is the market of interest for Sonora, to whom we have to give a real estate offer so that they move and settle with us. It’s not only about increasing the tourist offer with cruises and amenities, but also getting more and more visitors to acquire properties that will make them return for generations. This is how the real estate developed in touristic cities such as Dubai, New York, Miami, London and more.
In fact, the new international tourism projects share a common characteristic: they are quite a challenge, but they are also a great opportunity. For example, Las Vegas was born in the middle of the desert. Today it is known as «Sin City», with hotels, stadiums, casinos and hundreds of other attractions. Dubai, which has desert and beach, used oil profits to develop tourism with skyscrapers, shopping centers and everything it has to offer today. They took advantage of the nature, the proximity to the markets and the purchasing power of their potential clients to install the appropriate infrastructure and achieve success.
This has been one of the main arguments to potencial investors: Sonora requires infrastructure to grow. For example, franchise hotels along the coast, particularly in Puerto Peñasco, Caborca and the northwestern part of the state. Also, chain restaurants, bars and entertainment; consolidate the International Airport of Puerto Peñasco to have commercial flights; build a new passenger train that goes from Puerto Peñasco to Lukeville, and connects with Tucson and Phoenix, since the vast majority of the more than 2 million visitors received anually in this destination arrive by road. Not to mention the conclusion of the Home Port to continue with the cruise ship project to take advantage of the unique nature potential of the Sea of Cortez.
With this, Sonora will have the opportunity to attract 3,000 to 6,000 people a week, who can become potential clients to acquire or invest in Puerto Peñasco.
But to achieve this it is necessary to provide legal certainty in real estate. We must guarantee buyers and investors that they are acquiring a property legally, registered in the Public Registry of Property. A legal certainty that provides confidence that the investments they will make will have the full support of the government and, of course, of private initiative. Also generate confidence through security that should be granted to tourists, investors and anyone who comes to Sonora to enjoy our natural beauties, attractions and cities, to prospect the opening of hotels, condominiums, housing and new developments.
Finally, the support of the State Government, the Federal Government and the municipal governments of Puerto Peñasco, Caborca and San Luis Río Colorado will be essential and decisive in making Sonora a new Dubai, a new Cancún or a new San Diego on the Sea of Cortez Riviera.
Those are the main arguments behind the promotion that our state needs to attract investment and tourists, starting with the northwest area. Proof of this is in Puerto Peñasco, which, with the construction of more than 15 condominium buildings in just eight years, is going strength with new projects such as condominium towers, houses, golf courses and more. And this is a good incentive for the future of Sonora.
