UNWTO Recognizes Mexico’s Tourism Growth and Global Repositioning
MÉXICO » News » October 2023 » UNWTO Recognizes Mexico’s Tourism Growth and Global Repositioning
Published by Publimetro México on October 1, 2023
Mexico has once again demonstrated its prowess in the global tourism industry, securing recognition from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). On September 27, during World Tourism Day celebrated in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended Mexico for its outstanding achievements in tourism. Mexico now stands as the sixth-largest recipient of Tourism Foreign Direct Investment (FIDI) projects and leads in international tourist arrivals within Latin America.
Miguel Torruco Márques, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment of Mexico’s efforts to attain these milestones. He attributed these accomplishments to President López Obrador’s strategies, which included not restricting international flights, implementing stringent biosafety protocols, and launching a comprehensive vaccination program—all without incurring debt.
UNWTO data reveals Mexico’s remarkable ascent from 17th to 9th place in foreign currency earnings from international visitors and from 40th to 28th in per capita spending on international tourism since 2018. Even amid the pandemic, Mexico showcased innovation by hosting the Digital Tourist Tianguis, maintaining open channels of communication with major source countries like the United States and Canada, and launching tailored campaigns for each of them.
Torruco Marqués highlighted Mexico’s ranking as the 6th country with the most RTDI (Research, Technology Development, and Innovation) projects between 2018 and 2022, boasting 105 projects, equivalent to 4.3% of the global total. In 2022 alone, Mexico secured a historic $4.245 billion in Foreign Direct Tourism Investment—a staggering 245% increase from 2019. During the current administration, the country has witnessed the largest investment in tourism support in six decades, with over 500,778 million pesos allocated from 2019 to 2023.
This boost has facilitated significant infrastructure improvements in transportation, including trains, airports, and highways, along with various urban development projects in tourist destinations across the nation. This collaborative approach has reinforced the sector’s infrastructure for the greater benefit of the tourism industry.
Torruco Marqués also emphasized the diversification of tourist activities across 270 destinations in Mexico, aligning with President López Obrador’s vision of making tourism a tool for social reconciliation. The government has revitalized the Magical Towns program through the Magical Color Routes initiative, which involves the painting of 140 facades and 20 artistic murals, enhancing the visual appeal of the 177 designated towns.
Among these, Mexcaltitán, Nayarit, reclaimed its title as a Magical Town through extensive remodeling efforts. Additionally, Puerto Balleto in Marías Islands transformed from a penitentiary center to an environmental education and ecotourism hub.
The Secretary of Tourism highlighted the modernization of the Green Angels, a roadside assistance service for tourists. After 20 years of neglect, a vehicle fleet renewal is underway, with plans to replace 40% of the units by the end of 2023 and 60% by the following year. Furthermore, the “Alfonso García González” Geointelligence Center (CGO) has been established, enabling real-time location tracking of tourists in need of assistance, along with a mobile application available for both iOS and Android platforms.
Mexico’s commitment to enhancing its tourism sector and its remarkable accomplishments in the face of global challenges have secured its place as a leader in the international tourism landscape.
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Archaeological Sites
The Archaeological Zones are the cultural past of every Mexican. You will be amazed at the ambient, nature and the environment that surrounds them. Climbing to the top or being around it will take us back in time to admire every detail. México is a country of culture and traditions, many of which we have inherited from the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of this vast territory, although it is true that there were more settlements in the central and southern part of the country, it is also possible to find some archaeological remains in the north.
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Capital Cities
Folklore, gastronomy, literary culture, art and exhibitions, is what you will find in the capitals of the states of Mexico. To the north, colonial Mexico, Puebla, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, the Sonoran desert and the California peninsula. To the east Veracruz and the gulf. To the west Acapulco, Oaxaca and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. And to the south the Riviera Maya and the pyramids of Chichén-Itzá, Tulúm and Cobá in Yucatán, Palenque in Chiapas, the cenotes, and the Central American jungles.… Read More
Ecotourism and Adventure
Mexico is one of the best countries for Ecotourism as it has a great variety of flora and fauna, as well as a large number of refuges for extraordinary species. You can enjoy recreational activities of appreciation and knowledge of nature through contact with it, such as: stargazing, observation of natural attractions, wildlife and bird watching. Throughout México there are more than 176 protected natural areas, 5 of them considered by UNESCO as Natural Heritage of Humanity. Just for this and much more, we believe that Mexico is a Paradise for Ecotourism.… Read More
Beaches
On the Beaches of Mexico you can immerse yourself in the intense blue ocean of the Pacific bays, sunbathe on the shore of the warm and transparent waves of the Caribbean Sea in Quintana Roo or even rest on the beautiful coasts of the Gulf of Mexico. Mexican beaches hide wonderful secrets for the traveler. By visiting them, in addition to enjoying the excellent climate and water activities, you can discover splendid archaeological sites and interesting colonial cities without traveling long distances.… Read More
Gastronomy
The Gastronomy of Mexico has a great diversity of typical dishes, which is why it was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The basic and representative ingredients of Mexican dishes are: corn, coriander, chili, beans, piloncillo, nopal and tomato. Mexican cuisine is also characterized by its sauces, which serve as an accompaniment to traditional dishes, prepared based on spices.… Read More
States Of Mexico
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