Competitiveness and its performance in coastal tourist destinations: The case of Mazatlan, Mexico

This article seeks to analyze the competitiveness of Mazatlan as a tourist destination through analytical categories and attributes defined so as to take into account its characteristics as a coastal tourist destination and its local context that places it among the most important coastal tourist destinations in Mexico. Thirty-seven attributes are analyzed, grouped into seven categories. The analysis was carried out using a mixed methodological approach with data collected through a survey, interviews, focus groups, and document analysis. The categories of analysis were defined during the focus group discussions and subsequently 152 surveys were administered to tourism stakeholders to collect information about the 37 attributes. Data from interviews and document analysis were used to support and complement the information obtained in the survey. Each of the 37 attributes was analyzed, rated, and coded using a method of points and colors: a traffic light system in which; red indicates priority attention needed for a particular attribute, yellow indicates preventive attention needed, blue indicates positive (good) performance or condition, and green indicates very good condition. According to the results, the four attributes that require priority attention are: improving the accessibility of attractions, the use of mobile applications, strengthening air connectivity and making the political and institutional framework of the destination more efficient. The best performing attributes are price competitiveness, variety of food and beverages, quality / price ratio and land infrastructure.