Festival of Skulls and National Charro Congress Expected to Drive 100% Hotel Occupancy

Aguascalientes is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors during the weekend of November 1 and 2, 2025, coinciding with significant events such as the Festival of Skulls and the National Charro Congress. According to a bulletin from and the latest reports from the Secretariat of Tourism of the State of Aguascalientes, hotel occupancy is expected to reach 100%, implying a considerable economic impact for the state.

According to DATATUR, as of 2023, Aguascalientes had a total of 208 accommodation establishments, comprising 7,979 available rooms. Of these, 64 hotels are affiliated with the Aguascalientes Hotel Association (AMHMA). This infrastructure is fundamental for estimating hotel occupancy.

Should full occupancy be achieved during the weekend of November 1 and 2, approximately 15,958 people would be required to fill all available rooms in the entity.

To calculate the economic impact generated by total hotel occupancy, data provided to Líder Empresarial by Gloria Romo, former Secretary of Tourism, is utilized. She stated that the average rate in Aguascalientes is generally lower than in other nearby locations. Although an exact rate was not provided, an approximate figure of $1,000 pesos per night is assumed, considering the general price context in the region.

With this data, the calculation of the economic impact from 100% room occupancy would yield the following: This would result in an estimated economic impact of $15.96 million pesos from hotel occupancy during that high-demand weekend.

During the Festival of Skulls 2024, Aguascalientes reported an average hotel occupancy of 54.82%, according to official DATATUR data. For this event, visitor attendance reached 379,521 tourists, generating an economic impact of 371 million pesos.

While occupancy was notably lower than what is anticipated for the weekend of November 1 and 2, 2025, the economic impact of the Festival of Skulls 2023 underscores the potential for tourism activity in the state during major events. Compared to the estimated 100% hotel occupancy for November, the economic impact during this weekend could be even greater if the demand observed in high-impact events such as the National Charro Congress and other sporting events is sustained.

100% hotel occupancy would imply that 15,958 people would be accommodated in Aguascalientes’ establishments. While this calculation does not include tourists staying in rental homes or other types of lodging, the figure serves as a good indicator of the number of visitors who could fill the available hotel supply.

Furthermore, considering data from the State Government of Aguascalientes, a significant influx of national and international tourists can be expected during this period, particularly due to the destination’s safety and cultural and sporting appeal.

However, considering the average occupancy of 54.82% during the Festival of Skulls, it is important to question whether full occupancy will truly be achieved in November, when the state will host thousands of additional visitors for other sporting and cultural events. The significant disparity between the 379,521 visitors recorded in 2023 and the estimate of 15,958 tourists lodged at 100% occupancy suggests that visitor influx projections may not be so straightforward to achieve without adequate promotional and organizational efforts.

With 100% hotel occupancy and an estimated $15.96 million pesos in economic impact, Aguascalientes positions itself as a key tourism destination for the weekend of November 1 and 2. However, data from the Festival of Skulls 2023 and the average occupancy of only 54.82% during that event indicate that growth projections should be viewed with caution. Despite the scheduled high-profile events, it will be crucial for the state to adjust its strategies to maximize hotel occupancy and ensure that tourism-derived revenues remain sustainable in the long term.