By Juan Pablo Sebastián

Tourism surged in Rosarito two weekends ago thanks to Labor Day, resulting in strong sales across various tourism sectors.

Several hotels reached over 90 percent occupancy, while restaurants in the tourist zone were packed. Handicraft vendors also saw an increase in sales, driven by the arrival of tourists from the United States.

Some vendors reported that their profits have been reduced due to rising costs of the products they sell. According to Don Camerino, a handicraft vendor on Benito Juárez Boulevard, the increase in the cost of his products has squeezed his profit margins, but at times this is offset by the volume of sales.

This was the case last weekend when his primary market, Latin Americans residing in the U.S. and American tourists, flocked to the area.

Condominiums and new tourist units also saw a surge in demand. Owners of rental properties noted a growing preference for this type of accommodation, as it offers lower costs, even for those located on the outskirts in neighborhoods like Echeverría and Crosthwaite.

Meanwhile, the furniture sector has yet to experience an uptick in sales, as its target market has stopped visiting due to fears of insecurity and extortion.

Furniture businessman Edgar Orozco Zamora explained that 2024 has been a generally bad year for the sector. “It started off poorly, stayed bad, and will likely end in a tough spot with the year-end expenses,” he said.

“There doesn’t appear to be any short-term relief, not in the final months of this year nor in the first four months of next year. This is due to the learning curve the new administration will face.

“However, the incoming government could take immediate action by ensuring that local police don’t crack down on Rosarito residents during the holiday season, including bonuses, Christmas, and New Year’s. We won’t see many tourists during that time, or there will be significantly lower traffic,” he added.