NUEVO NAYARIT, Mexico — Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta are gearing up to host the 29th edition of the Gala Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit. Slated for Feb. 8 to 9, 2024, the most important tourism event for this popular Mexican vacation destination region will once again bring buyers and suppliers from around the world for education, business and growth. This year’s event will be held at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center.
The 2024 event is anticipated to be one of the best-attended yet, thanks to new hotel openings in both Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, as well as the distinctive niche markets to which the region caters. This year, attendees can expect to dive deep into LGBTQ tourism, romance, golf, meetings-and-incentives (MICE) and adventure travel markets, as well as the Pueblos Mágicos, or “Magical Towns” in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Here is a bit more on what attendees can uncover about Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit at the 2024 Gala:
The LGBTQ market is one of the pillars of tourism across Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. The premier destination for LGBTQ travelers, Puerto Vallarta is known for its annual Pride Parade, as well as the dozens of LGBTQ bars, nightclubs and hotels in the Zona Romantica. Equally, Nayarit has always been a champion for inclusivity. In 2022, the destination’s beaches took home the award for LGBTQ travelers at the LGBT+ Travel Awards Mexico, held in Morelia.
When it comes to romance in general, the Pacific coast of Mexico delivers. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are backed by a spine of lush, jungle-covered mountains that gives way to a coastline edged with spectacular beaches. Glamorous resorts with A-list villas and suites are perched on dramatic cliffs and tucked in secluded coves. Boutique hotels promote locally sourced menus, craft cocktails and spa treatments rooted in indigenous practices.
Couples who wish to marry in Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit can have a civil or religious marriage ceremony. Wedding planners in each of the hotels can help couples prepare the necessary documentation and, if desired, obtain clergy from the appropriate religious denomination. The resorts and hotels of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are well-versed in the art of designing dream destination weddings and honeymoons.
Golf is yet another niche market for Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. Between Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit there are more than 10 world-class golf courses, designed by professionals and legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Jim Lipe, Percy Clifford and Robert Von Hagge. In fact, for third year on the row, the 2024 Mexico Open will be held at the Vidanta Vallarta Golf Course, in Puerto Vallarta.
For business travelers, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are two of the most important markets in Mexico for MICE travel. Nayarit is home to nearly 15,000 hotel rooms along its 200-mile coastline, and half of them are dedicated to upscale and luxury products. The region offers more than 81,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting facilities, as well.
Puerto Vallarta has more than 22,500 hotel rooms across all categories, more than 480,000 square feet of meetings space and other venues specifically designed for special occasions.
The Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, with 54,000 square feet of space, and the Paradise Village Convention Center in Nayarit offer the best in infrastructure, location and services, with more than 800,000 square feet of total space.
Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta are two perfect places in Mexico for travelers to discover their adventurous sides. Their beaches are among the most popular in the world for surfers, while wildlife enthusiasts can spot thousands of migratory birds at Islas Marietas National Park and Los Arcos Maritime Park. Hiking, mountain biking and yoga are all important parts of the Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit experience.
In 2024, the Magical Towns of Nayarit and Jalisco will also be represented at the Gala. Nayarit has an impressive nine Pueblos Mágicos, recognized for their preserved history, culture and traditions. Jalisco has an equally impressive 12 Magical Towns.
While Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are separate, distinct destinations, the two often work together as one to showcase the incredible diversity and rich offerings that each one brings to tourism. Thanks to their shared air hub, the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, which receives direct flights from 50 destinations around the world, it is easier than ever to visit the region. Event organizers are expecting the 2024 event to outpace 2023’s event, and even to outperform the pre-pandemic 2019 gala.
