From the Pandemic to War
On February 21, 2022, Russia recognizes two breakaway states in the Donbas area and deploys its troops to the region. Three days later, Russia begins the total invasion of Ukraine and starts a conflict that could escalate to a planetary level. Oh, but let’s not forget, we came from two years of living through a pandemic as we had never experienced before. Years in which we learned to wash our hands, maintain social distancing, stay home, wear a mask and mourn the many people that Covid-19 took from us.
2022 seemed to be the year that everything would return to normal, we were beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The uncertainty little by little gave way to laying out plans for the future and this was something that filled us with hope. However, today we live once again with the uncertainty of war. A war that, as always, has two sides, two reasons, two pretexts, and two justifications. Who is right? That is a judgment that only history will make.
What is certain is that history shows us how there is a link between pandemics and wars. Sometimes they go hand in hand, sometimes one unleashes the other. Since the times of Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and Europe, in general, have seen their populations decimated by the effects of pandemics and wars. A clear example is that 1st. World War followed after the Spanish fever epidemic at the beginning of the 20th century.
Psychologists and geopolitical experts seem to agree that this link is mainly due to the perception that states have of their own value within the international scheme. During a pandemic, its effects weaken their priority systems such as financial, health, or military. This leads them by human nature to try to prove their worth through challenging attitudes. All that is needed is a pretext to justify a belligerent attitude.
This is when we must pause and remember that phrase: “Improper handling of the pandemic”. Because although the medical aspect of health was the most important to contain the lethality of the virus, it was also very important to act with a vision of the future, determining the effects that such an atypical situation would have on the collective psyche.
Likewise, voices are emerging today which argue that the current geopolitical situation, based mainly on the control of natural resources, specifically those related to hydrocarbons in northern Europe can also be used to take decisive steps towards adopting renewable and clean energies to meet global demand. Basically, it is about defining a new enemy to fight against, to face defiantly, and recover that feeling of national self-esteem. That enemy may well be the accumulation of bad practices and habits that today put our survival as a species at risk. I am referring to global warming and the very short-term consequences that this entails.
This change requires, in turn, a modification of our vision for the future, moving away from populist policies to adopt strategies focused on survival. Perhaps this sounds utopian but it is very easy to verify. Let’s just change the words “bad habits” for the word “enemy.” Let’s do it daily and we will see how over time we will begin the fight to eradicate it. Let’s focus on improving ourselves and over time we will improve as a society. The end result will be a better future.
Spring equinox
Since the beginning of humanity, and even more so, since we were able to keep track of the passage of time and the seasons, people have always waited for the end of winter and the beginning of a new cycle of life. What’s more, some people say that sunny days bring joy to their lives. Perhaps because many enzymes and hormones are sensitive to sunlight. Similarly, different physiological functions such as fertility and vitamin D production are related to the amount of sunlight we receive.
But beyond the subjective appreciations that arise at the beginning of this time of year, the reason for the celebration is that the Spring Equinox takes place in the Northern Hemisphere, an astronomical event starring the Earth and the Sun: the moment when day and night have the same duration.
Since ancient times, the curious used to look at the sky carefully. They realized that the Sun always rises in the East and moves on the horizon day by day.
The recording of these movements -which are an illusion because, in reality, it is the Earth that changes position- was an important practice for the ancients and has been so to this day, since it allows the identification of certain astronomical phenomena such as the equinoxes.
The word equinox means “equal-night”, which refers to the moment in which the Earth around the Sun intercepts the Equator of the sky. Upon reaching that point in space, day and night are the same lengths (12 hours) all over the planet, except for the polar regions.
According to the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics (INAOE) in Mexico, the spring equinox will occur on March 20 at 9:33 a.m. Mexico City and Puebla time.
Popular belief states that this balance between the hours of sunlight and darkness can be an ideal time for the human being to balance his passions and weaknesses, and thus manage to strengthen his mind and body.
Visits to archaeological zones
In Mexico, pre-Hispanic areas have become the ideal settings to give that new nuance to existence. The curious thing is that the supporters of this practice usually carry it out during the spring equinox and rarely do it at the time of the autumnal equinox. From the astronomical point of view, both have the same importance.
The importance of the equinox for pre-Hispanic cultures is evident in the construction of structures oriented to that astronomical moment. A representative case, although not the only one, is the Chichen Itza Castle, built by the ancient Mayans in such a way that visitors can witness a spectacle of light and shadow.
With the arrival of sunset, the Sun casts its shadow and forms on the railing of one of the castle’s stairs, a series of diamonds that simulate the body of a snake whose head made of stone is at the foot of the stairs.
The end of winter and the vacation rental business
What is a vacation rental business?
Vacation rentals are private properties that are rented out to short-term travelers as an alternative to hotels. Their main advantage is that they offer more facilities (such as kitchens), privacy, and access to the local culture.
Vacation rental properties are not limited to traditional-style homes and include villas, cabins, beach houses, condominiums, apartments, and more. They can also range from affordable apartments to luxury villas located in the best tourist destinations in the world.
Property rental for vacation use is very popular with travelers from all over the world. Plus, websites like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo help make renting a vacation home a simple, stress-free process.
Are vacation rentals profitable?
Investing in vacation rentals is a great way to earn passive income. But can you make a lot of money with a vacation rental property? Essentially, vacation rentals can be profitable because they are popular with people who rent properties for a short period.
The main factor affecting profitability is location. Why? Profitability is based primarily on occupancy, demand, competition, and rate, so the more attractive the location, the more likely the vacation rental will be profitable.
Additionally, short-term vacation rentals can outperform long-term rental properties when it comes to potential rental income. Therefore, a vacation rental is a good investment for those who want to start investing in real estate.
How to make money with vacation rental properties?
There are two main approaches that can be used when it comes to building a vacation rental business.
You can invest in the purchase of a property, which you can also use as your second home. This path requires extensive research to determine which locations will attract a steady stream of guests.
Another business model is rental arbitrage (sublet) which is when you rent a property long-term and then rent it back to short-term travelers with the permission of the owner. This path allows you to earn money on vacation rentals without owning the property.
You’ll want to list your vacation rental properties on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo and do everything you can to ensure a seamless guest experience. This boils down to:
- Quick responses to guest requests before, during, and after their stay;
- giving them all the necessary information about their place and neighborhood;
- have a flawless check-in and check-out;
- keeping the place tidy and equipped with the necessary amenities.
That’s a lot of work!
The good news is that much of it can be automated. Plus, automation will make the guest experience even better.
Starting a vacation rental business involves several essential steps.
Start with the right vacation property that can earn you money. Location is the most important factor to consider. Homes with immediate access to a nearby attraction (downtown, the beach, the ski slopes, a theme park) are the best choice for an investment property.
Make the place look amazing. Decorate and furnish your home to create a beautiful space for your guests. If your guests are impressed with the way your home looks, they might even post it on Instagram. And that’s immediate free marketing for you!
Offer amenities to your guests: always offer WiFi, consider buying a washer, dryer, hot tub, have a smart TV, welcome pets, etc. People want to make the most of their vacations. The more amenities you offer your guests, the more likely they are to stay at your home.
Design your place with efficiency in mind. Your goal is to make your vacation rental place inviting and durable at the same time.
Create a stellar “Listing”. Invest in professional photography to give your guests a clear picture of what their stay at your property will be like. Write short, precise, and scannable descriptions to highlight attributes that are difficult to capture in a photograph.
Decide the right rate. Make sure your rates cover expenses and are competitive. You’ll need to do some research to make sure your property is priced right for its location and the amenities and services it offers.
Market your house. Place your ad (property listing) on multiple platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. Follow the best practices for Airbnb SEO to appear higher in search results. When posting across multiple platforms, keep your calendars organized to avoid double bookings.
How to manage a vacation rental?
Managing vacation rentals is not the same as managing full-time rentals. You must operate a vacation rental in such a way that occupancy and nightly rates are kept high to allow for high returns.
It’s important to run your vacation rental like a business. You will need thorough processes and timely actions from a committed team. Your cleaning and maintenance staff will need guidance and timely communication.
There are three fundamental approaches to managing a vacation rental:
- Stay busy with routine operational work. This could be a good idea at the beginning of your journey, as you will need to know how your business works.
- Hire a property management company to handle all the routines on your behalf. The obvious drawback is that they won’t do it for free. Before building a network of short-term rental properties, this approach would deplete your profits.
- Trust the software to automate the routine. This approach will allow you to stay in control and get rid of routine at a reasonable cost.
Conclusion
As you can see, starting a vacation rental business is not that different from any other business venture. And it is not easy. You need a comprehensive business plan, a great team, and the right tools to optimize your operations.
Starting your own business comes with many responsibilities. But if you take the time to get it right, the rewards are likely to be worth it.
Secret Corners of the Riviera Maya: Akumal
Akumal (in the Mayan language: Akumal ‘Place of Turtles’) is historically the first tourist destination on the coastal strip of the Yucatan Peninsula bathed by the Caribbean Sea. It was originally a huge coconut plantation owned by Don Argimiro Argüelles until 1958 when it was discovered by CEDAM (Mexico’s Exploration and Water Sports Club), an exclusive diving club. Akumal was the headquarters of this group whose interest was the search for underwater treasures.
Pablo Bush Romero, one of the founders of CEDAM, bought thousands of hectares around Akumal, thus beginning the foundation of the town of Akumal. Long before Cancun was in the plans of the Mexican government as a response to the disappearance of Cuba as a pleasure destination for Americans, Romero flew over the shores of what is now the State of Quintana Roo and chose Akumal Bay as his future place of residence.
In the sixties, before the Cancun project, the Akumal coast was accessible only by sea.
Towards the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008, the process of forming a new municipality took place within the territory hitherto belonging to Solidaridad and which would have the city of Tulum as its head, the population of Akumal initially protested against the possibility to be included in the territory of the new municipality, however, finally on February 22, 2008, the Congress of Quintana Roo approved the preliminary project through which the municipality of Tulum including Akumal is erected, which was finally accepted by its inhabitants.
Akumal was considered to be developed as a tourist mega-destination before the start of Cancun but was ruled out due to the large number of mosquitoes produced in the nearby wetlands.
This cute and picturesque town offers its visitors a series of very special attractions, starting with swimming in its bay of warm and calm turquoise blue waters where you can easily come across its famous turtles that abound a little further from the beach. Going out with a snorkel and fins makes it much easier to see and interact with this fantastic marine species.
Likewise, after a morning of swimming and relaxation, you can enjoy the gastronomy of the place that offers everything from fish and shellfish to Italian food and meats.
Akumal is a place that you should definitely visit the next time you visit the Riviera Maya. Now, if you want to invest there, at Selec Riviera Maya Real Estate we have excellent investment options in the region. Just contact us and we will gladly assist you.
