PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – The bustling port city of Puerto Vallarta is witnessing a change in its labor landscape following the devastating impact of Hurricane Otis on the Acapulco tourism sector. Juan Huerta Pérez, the union leader of the Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), reported that a smaller-than-expected number of workers from Acapulco have relocated to Puerto Vallarta.
The majority of Acapulco’s tourism workforce, left unemployed in the wake of the hurricane, are opting for relocation to Cancun and Los Cabos, with only a fraction choosing Puerto Vallarta as their new work destination. According to Pérez, this trend is due to the varying levels of labor demand across these tourist hotspots.
Puerto Vallarta, despite its popularity, has not faced the acute labor shortages seen in other regions. This disparity in labor requirements has led to different approaches in managing workforce needs. Notably, Puerto Vallarta did not enter into an agreement similar to that of other destinations, which were facilitated by their respective hotel associations to address labor shortages.
The CTM leader further reflected on the challenges faced by the tourist sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely impacted employment. Many workers sought alternative means of livelihood, including migration to the United States and Canada. Huerta Pérez expressed concern over the current trend of young people showing reluctance to enter the workforce, opting instead for government contributions as a source of income.
This shift in work attitudes, combined with the pandemic’s aftermath, has led to a noticeable deficit in the labor force. The tourism sector data indicates a shortfall of approximately 6 to 9 positions within the city.
