Puebla, Pue. The backpacker tourism is recovering, which is benefiting more than 85 neighborhoods in traditional neighborhoods of the Historic Center of Pueblathis began to detonate since 2015, as an option for tourists who wanted to spend less on lodging.
The executive director of the Puebla Association of Hotels and MotelsGustavo Ponce de León Tobón, pointed out that it does not represent unfair competition for its sector, since they are also interested as a union in supporting its professionalization and that it be one more option for travelers.
In addition, he said, in this case it is young Mexicans or foreigners who arrive with the minimum amount of luggage and only spend one night, because they move from one place to another.
He stressed that they have contributed with neighborhood families to advise them on the conditioning regarding the basics they must have to be attractive for social tourism.
He indicated that there are at least 600 families with social backwardness and who live in the downtown neighborhoods who, since October 2021, have returned to obtain an income from that room rental, since it was when the economic activities that were still operating at 100% were resumed. partial way.
Ponce de León recalled that this scheme is widely used by low-income families in Oaxaca and the Riviera Maya, which in the Angelopolis It has been implemented since 2015 after being promoted by the city council at that time, so that those who had an extra room in their homes, with the minimum investment, could obtain some money.
affordable prices
Likewise, the purpose is for visitors to have greater contact with citizens, to learn about their customs. The price is 150 pesos per person per night and in exchange they receive a comfortable place and a meal, he said.
120 families started renting rooms in the neighborhoods of Analco, The light, The tall Y xonacabut that figure currently reaches 600, with 750 rooms, which shows an interest in this type of social tourism, he commented.
He explained that the owners invest between 4,000 and 7,000 pesos to fix one or two rooms, paint, change the floor and buy individual beds, the recovery of the investment occurs in three months, since at least four times a week they receive tourists.
“A traveler never arrives alone, they always come in pairs or in groups of four, which makes recovery more feasible in less time. There are those who charge 150 pesos, which is the average, but another 250 per night, according to the conditions of the room, but they are asked to offer the greatest security and privacy, “he added.
Frequent users come from Canada, USA, Argentina, Spain, England Y Francewhile nationals are from the north of the country, he mentioned.
He explained that in the case of foreigners who arrive with backpacks, they do not have problems in the economic part to rent a traditional hotel room, but rather they want to experience that closeness with people.
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