Gala Vallarta 2026 brings together more than 750 leaders from the tourism industry

With the goal of consolidating the growth of the main tourist corridor of the Mexican Pacific —which contributes more than 9 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Jalisco— the State Tourism Secretariat, through the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust, successfully held the Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit Gala 2026.

The realization of this thirty-first edition reflects the confidence of the national and international tourism industry in the Mexican Pacific as a strategic destination, as well as in the strength and projection of this corridor, one of the most dynamic vacation hubs in the country.

Three days of work resulted in 5,796 business meetings, surpassing previous years' records. Gala brought together more than 750 global industry leaders and reaffirmed the region's importance within the international tourism market.

The meeting took place from March 10 to 12 at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center and served as a showcase of the stable operation and safety conditions of the destination.

The grand event brought together 558 industry members and 322 registered companies, including 73 wholesalers and 60 hosted buyers, who negotiated directly with 118 hotels, 10 DMCs and 44 tour and activity companies in the region, defining rates and commercial agreements for the fall-winter seasons.

In addition, delegations from 11 magical towns and six destinations in Jalisco and Nayarit participated —including Guadalajara, Costalegre and inland destinations—, strengthening the promotion of different points in the territory to boost circuit tourism in the region.

It is worth noting that the event was covered by 93 media outlets, including local, regional, national, and international publications—many specializing in tourism and economics—who had the opportunity to witness the tranquility of the Puerto Vallarta metropolitan area through tours of various locations around the bay.
 
Gala 2026 also incorporated a vision focused on sustainability and social responsibility, reinforcing the connection between the region's tourism development, community well-being, and the protection of the natural environment.

This year, a "Zero PET Use" policy was implemented, in line with international standards for sustainable events. The venue also provided space for social impact initiatives through a collaboration with the Puerto Vallarta altruistic network, which offered tastings of products made by children with Down syndrome.

The more than 5,000 business meetings held during the event represent between 15 and 20 percent of the annual accommodation offerings for many participating hotels. These agreements will shape the destination's marketing strategy in the coming months.

Regarding air infrastructure, authorities presented the progress of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The expansion project aims to double its capacity by 2027 through an investment of approximately 5 billion pesos, allowing it to handle a greater flow of visitors.

The program incorporated elements of cultural identity with the participation of 14 representative figures from the state, including the charro, the mariachi, and members of the Wixárika people. Twenty sensory experiences were also offered, featuring tastings of raicilla, tequila, and regional products from the Sierra region.

One of the central messages of the meeting was the positioning of Puerto Vallarta as the “Official Beach of the 2026 World Cup.” This narrative, supported by the technological security strategy of Plan Kukulcán, steered the conversation toward the economic opportunities linked to the FIFA World Cup and facilitated the early signing of lodging contracts.

The edition also incorporated a new initiative: the installation of an animal rescue space within the venue, which allowed attendees to learn about adoption and welfare projects for pets.

The latest indicators support the current momentum of the destination. During January and February, cruise ship arrivals increased by 25 percent, and 90 percent of the events scheduled for the year remain confirmed.

In parallel, the state reiterated its commitment to a responsible tourism model through the Child Protection Agents Network, a strategy that seeks to guarantee the protection of children and adolescents in the face of the sector's growth.

In addition to the large number of participants and excellent organization by the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat through the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust, the 31st edition of Gala Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit stood out for its focus on sustainability and social inclusion and projected new growth opportunities towards the 2026 World Cup.

Source: Visit Puerto Vallarta.