Auto Industry Crisis Hits Tourism in Saltillo

The current slump in Saltillo’s automotive sector is affecting its tourism industry, to which it is closely linked; the average hotel occupancy rate in the capital of Coahuila fell by between 16 and 18 percentage points and now stands at 49%, according to Raúl Rodarte, executive director of the Saltillo Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV), in an interview with “El Economista.”

“I think the recession has affected our city a little more when it comes to the automotive sector,” Rodarte said. Saltillo has a hotel infrastructure of more than 4,000 rooms spread across more than 50 hotels.

“Most of these are business hotels, given the city’s nature as a business hub. We’re an automotive cluster, with car manufacturers and auto parts companies, but we’re also active in the home appliance and steel industries,” he said.

“We’re working with a venue called Expo Coahuila, where we’re focusing more on a cowboy theme and concept, because we want to become the most cowboy-themed city in Mexico (…) but we also have boutique hotels and haciendas,” in addition to adventure and nature activities.