The recent insecurity could have been one of the factors, commented those affected.
Only three of the 20 stores open at the height of Holy Week. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- Jocotepec’s boardwalk merchants reported low sales despite the Easter holiday period. Merchants in the 20 stores located on the boardwalk said that after two pandemic years, this holiday period has not generated the income they expected, as sales are down by almost 50 percent in contrast to previous years.
In spite of the fact that the projected economic revenue for this vacation season for Holy Week and Easter was $5,400,000 pesos, according toJocotepec Directorate of Tourism and Artisan Promotion Victor Manuel Loza Ornelas, that goal has not been reached.
«The truth is that it has been very lonely compared to pre-pandemic Holy Weeks, even in previous years we were five people working here in the store, but this week there was only me,» said a vendor of nieve de garrafa, a Mexican sorbet.
She also said that one of the factors that could have affected tourism over the weekend was the protest that took place on Thursday, April 14 in Chapala, between vendors against the City Hall, since many tourists were unable to get through the blockade.
Another of those interviewed thought that the poor sales could have been due to the insecurity that has been experienced in recent months in the municipality.
«Fortunately this year we have had some sales, unlike other years, when almost no people came and many of those who came brought their lunch boxes,» said one of the vendors, who for years has sold hamburgers, seafood tacos and hot dogs.
Luck has not been so different for the boat tours, because in spite of having a good Holy Week until the cut-off on Wednesday, April 20, it was empty, say the personnel in charge of the boat tours.
«Now there are so many accidents, so much insecurity, and on Sundays the National Guard is here, and as a worker you do feel safer, but people are afraid and it is reflected in sales,» he concluded.
Translated by Kerry Watson
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