That’s a good idea. First spaceships to Mars should be manned by prisoners. They have nothing to lose so they’ll sign up for the adventure.
I think they will send robots first, to assemble the prefab surface structures needed to service return flights.
Underground apartments and shopping malls powered by nuclear power is the way to go.
Surface attractions for the tourists.
Bunch of Starships stationed on Mars used for local ferry service to nearby points of interests.
But it will be difficult for them to compete with the larger colony on the Moon.