Before the conquest
In the Yucatan peninsula, there was a network of roads that linked cities and small towns, these roads were called sacbés or (sak be'ob in the Mayan language). These roads were equipped for camping areas and in the villages, lodging houses and food supplies were built.
The origin of what at that time was known as lodging, of course, also comes from the center of the country, in fact, it was Moctezuma, the ruler of the Mexican city of Tenochtitlan, who imposed the idea of a lodging place for his own needs. It could even be said that this is the first sign of modern tourism (in which people go to places far from their usual residence to rest and recharge). More precisely, he went to Oaxtepec, a place where there are warm waters and that those times were considered magical. It is considered that the first lodging centers were cuahcalli or the house of the warriors’ eagle jaguar.
At that time in the Aztec culture, there were also inns that were characterized by being large one-story houses and that were located near the markets and the entrances of the cities. These shelters had a large room to which the guests had access and where the kitchen and dining room worked.
Hostels were also developed, due to the great mobility that the different tribes that inhabited Mexico had and the enormous extension of their domains, the reason for the displacements was mainly economic and religious. In the most important routes throughout the Mexican territory, there were a large number of lodging houses that were free.
Virreinal time
After the conquest, in the viceregal era, a great route of importance was that of Veracruz-Mexico, due to the large influx of people, it became essential to establish viceregal inns. According to some records, the first lodging service within the Viceroyalty was established in Michoacán.
The great movement of people was of religious pilgrimages. An important detail to highlight is that during this time a large part of the tourist attractions that today attract millions of tourists was discovered, such as Acapulco, Veracruz, San Blas, among others.
In 1525, on December 1, a license was requested to establish an inn in Mexico City, which has been called "Calle de los Mesones" ever since. Within the inns there were different categories depending on the services and their prices, the most economical of the third category had a small space for the guest to rest and frequently had to share the room with others.
The Council imposed laws on the innkeeping activity and it can be said that it is the forerunner of the current Ministry of Tourism.
Closer times -XX century-
1930
The hotels had a great revolution favoring in this way the appearance of more and better hotels in Mexico, with up to 800 rooms, which meant a great challenge for that time
1934
The modern hotel industry began in Mexico in 1934 with the construction of the Reforma hotel, since its administration system, the internal organization of its staff, and the service provided, came to revolutionize the previously established hotels.
1941
The Association of Hotel Managers and Owners changes its name to what it currently has as the “Mexican Association of Hotels and Motels”.
1960
By this year the hotel engine, or as it is known today, the motel, became a permanent fraction that influenced the hospitality industry.
1961-1967
Tourism in Mexico grew 12% annually while in the East and the Pacific Islands it grew 46%. Compared to other parts of the Caribbean, Mexican beaches were unknown. Therefore, the Ministry of Finance proposes to develop five key areas: Los cabos, Loreto, Huatulco, Ixtapa, and Cancun.
The Yucatan Peninsula in the Hotel Sector
1968
Tourism begins to acquire importance until it reaches what is currently the central activity in Quintana Roo
INFRATUR (later FONATUR) begins the construction project of a series of infrastructure works that would constitute the tourist center of Cancun
Inauguration of the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México . Built at the height of the Porfiriato in 1895 in the heart of the capital, the Gran Hotel is one of the most fascinating corners of the metropolis. An iconic element of The Gran Hotel is the Tiffany style stained glass window, one of the four largest in the world, created by the Frenchman Jacques Gruber in 1908. In 1968, it was inaugurated as the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México.
1972
The first stage of the first comprehensive tourist center in Mexico begins in accordance with the Cancun Master Plan for Comprehensive Development (PMDI) 1972-1981
1987
For the first time, Cancun receives more than 1 million tourists in the year
1992
First cinematographic meeting with the presence of actors such as Steven Seagal, Bruce Willis, and Demi Moore, which shows the great prestige that the destination had achieved
1997
Cancun reaches the first national place of hotel occupancy in a beach destination, receiving a total of 2 million 640 thousand visitors. With 33,658 flights operated, its airport ranks second in the country after Mexico City
The 2000s
At the end of 2008, the supply of hotel rooms in Mexico reached 604 thousand 51 rooms, after an average of 22 thousand 775 annual tourist rooms were incorporated in Mexico in the last nine years. This meant that between 2000 and 2008, 182 thousand 201 new rooms were generated, representing an annual growth of 4.6%, according to the National Confederation Tourist (CNT).
Nowadays
The hotel industry today is involved in the search for new trends that help it make up for the time lost by the great global pandemic that we all already know.
According to Forbes magazine, among the new trends in the tourism sector is that people prefer to acquire their own space where they can be isolated from other tourists, they can have what is necessary inside or near their property and, thus, control the measures of hygiene. With this trend, tourism in 2021 could begin a new era, where travel will acquire different nuances.
The "Annual Travel Trends Report for 2021" prepared by Expedia says that it is possible that some travelers will venture to make a longer trip in the country of origin and short duration abroad. In addition, once travelers leave they prefer long stays, therefore, they will look for a more personalized and isolated home from conventional hotel tourism. It is also estimated that due to the economic impact left by the current health pandemic, it will be premium tourism and luxury brands that will underpin the reopening of tourism in the coming years.
