Making the Most of a Business Trip to Manzanillo
For all that it has to offer, Manzanillo hasn't traditionally been known as a place for travelers to bring along their business briefcases. Rather, it has been thought of first and foremost as a vacation destination, and because of its location, climate, and culture it is clear that tourism will for a long time be what drives the local economy. But recently it appears as if there are a lot more business opportunities as well, especially with the renovations going on downtown as well as the airport and seaport expansions. That this growth is going on during this period of economic instability (in both Mexico and abroad) shows that perhaps there is some real growth potential in industries other than tourism down the road, such as energy, trade, and retail.
While Manzanillo won't in the near future be rivaling Mexico City or Guadalajara for business clout, the increasing investment ensures that business travel there will be more frequent. So we're going to go ahead and provide a few pointers that will help ensure that any business trip to Manzanillo goes smoothly.
Getting to and from Manzanillo is actually quite easy, as the city boasts a large airport relative to size. If you're coming from the United States, direct flights are available from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Houston, and regular shuttle flights are run to and from the city's airport to Mexico City, so you won't have to deal with many transfers. The airport is currently undergoing an expansion project, so more direct flights should become available down the road as well.
Traveling around Manzanillo can be quite difficult at times due to tourist traffic, especially during the busier 'Winter' months when the city and its surrounding areas see an influx of American tourists. Many locals are optimistic that the downtown renovation will alleviate many of these issues, but because of the ongoing construction, it will be quite difficult to get around in the near future. So if possible, try to stay in a hotel as close to your meetings as possible and make sure to plan ahead, and stick to the downtown area rather than any of the surrounding towns and resorts.
The best method of transportation is via taxi, although Manzanillo does boast an extensive and inexpensive bus system. It's usually best to schedule a taxi appointment ahead of time rather than hailing one from the street, and in fact many major hotels run their own taxiing service as well or are in partnership with a local company.
As far as the meetings themselves, business etiquette and practice in Manzanillo is similar to the rest of Mexico, although the dress code tends to be a little less formal. This is mainly because of practicality, as Manzanillo can get very hot and humid during some seasons. That being said, make sure not to dress too informally- think smart casual.
Meeting times tend to be a lot more flexible in Mexico than in the United States or Europe. While a bit of punctuality on your end can't hurt, don't be surprised if your business partners arrive late. And it is still important to schedule meetings in advance, preferably by telephone.
Lastly, there is the debate over what language to use. The fact of the matter is, although most businessmen do speak English, it is preferable that the meeting itself be in Spanish if you are comfortable with the language. And at the very least, try to use Spanish when scheduling a meeting, as many secretaries are not bilingual. Even if you aren't a fluent speaker, don't let that stop you from trying to use a few phrases- your hosts will undoubtedly appreciate your attempts to speak their native language!
These are just a few helpful tips for any potential Manzanillo business traveler. With its combination of a casual business culture, easy accessability, and natural beauty, a business trip to Manzanillo can be surprisingly less stressful- and even fun!
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