Despite the fact that there is already a greater economic reactivation, the Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco) from Mexico City foresees that the economic spillover from celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe it will not reach pre-pandemic levels given the sanitary measures that will be implemented to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The agency estimates that during this season of celebrations, sales would amount to 1,071 million pesos, 23.8% below the 2019 income.
According to the president of the Canaco, Nathan Poplawsky Berry, this figure is due to the fact that the health contingency has not ended and therefore, the restrictions to control the epidemic in the capital of the country remain.
“It is important to mention that this year the doors of the Guadalupano sanctuary will be opened again and to avoid crowds and increased infections by Covid-19, the health and safety protocol established by the Government of Mexico City will have to be followed, in addition to some additional restrictions, such as spending the night in the atrium or areas near the enclosure, “he said.
Despite this, he commented that sales in 2021 also represent an increase of 154% due to last year’s sales, they are above the 421 million pesos that were achieved in 2020.
The leader of the formal merchants stressed that it is estimated that 4.2 million visitors arrive at the Basilica of Guadalupe between December 10 and 12, which means 61.1% less than in 2019, when a capacity of more than 10.6 million was calculated.
The lines with the greatest demand will be hotels, fast food establishments, mini-supermarkets, restaurants, grocery stores, sale of religious articles, handicrafts, flowers and natural plants.
Despite this scenario, the president of the capital Canaco said that an increase in accommodation is expected for this year.
“In previous years, 90% of the pilgrims spent the night in the surroundings or in some homes of relatives or friends and only 10% were staying in a hotel in the area; however, since this year it will be forbidden to spend the night in the atrium, an increase in accommodation of 15% is estimated in hotels near the Basilica or the Gustavo A. Madero mayor’s office, ”he said.
Small trade
The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism in Small (Canacope) of the city, Eduardo Contreras Pérez, reported that due to the arrival of parishioners to the Basilica of GuadalupeSmall businesses are expected to generate a minimum economic spill of approximately 64 million pesos and a maximum spill of 100 million pesos.
“The festivities are not generalized and focus on meetings in the streets of neighborhoods and popular neighborhoods where there are altars in the public thoroughfare and the neighbors organize themselves for some celebration, which can range from just decorating, to large popular festivals for more than 200 people ”, he stressed.
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Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx