耗資10億美元的墨西哥豪華旅遊項目升級——它會從鄰近的名人喜愛的隱居地挖走湯姆·克魯斯、麥當娜等客戶嗎？

The developers who previously transformed Mandarina, a pristine location on Mexico's Pacific Coast, into a luxury travel destination are now embarking on a new venture. Their latest project, Xala, is a US$1 billion development situated in the state of Jalisco. Xala is set to include one or two high-end hotels and approximately 100 estate-style holiday homes, all conveniently located next to a newly constructed international airport designed to support the development. The site for Xala is a diverse landscape of mangroves and estuaries, located 145km south of Puerto Vallarta and 130km north of Manzanillo. The project's lead, Ricardo Santa Cruz, a managing partner at real estate developer Actur, reveals that consolidating the land required him and his partners to negotiate 68 separate ownership deals over a four-year period.

The first phase of the project involves the Chalacatepec International Airport, which has already been constructed as part of a public-private partnership. Although not yet operational, it is a mere 10-minute drive from Xala. By mid-2024, the airport is expected to accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 737s on its 2. 5km asphalt runway. Initially, it will primarily receive private jets and regional flights. The objective is to maintain small-scale airport operations to ensure passengers can swiftly clear customs and promptly begin their relaxation on serene beaches. From a luxury tourism perspective, the project will be anchored by a 51-villa Six Senses hotel, slated for completion in 2026. Each room will feature a private pool, and guests will have access to a turtle sanctuary, 32km of mountain biking trails, and natural kayaking bays.

With a price tag of US$1 billion, the project ranks among Mexico's most costly tourism ventures in recent times. Other ambitious, low-density projects, such as Kanai in the Yucatan Riviera Maya, have kept their cost figures undisclosed. Similar to its predecessor Mandarina, the new project will benefit from its proximity to several destinations favoured by the elite. Surrounding Xala are the jungle reserve Cuixmala, the villa community Careyes, the vibrant resort Las Alamandas, and the year-old Four Seasons Tamarindo, all within an 80km stretch of coastline. Among these properties, Cuixmala is perhaps the most renowned, having hosted a range of celebrities from Mick Jagger to former US president Ronald Reagan. It continues to attract A-list celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Madonna, Cara Delevingne, and Gwyneth Paltrow.