Monday, May 12, 2014

Mexico's Commitment: to be a 'World-class Tourist Destination'

Presidency of the Republic Staff

As he led the inauguration of the 39th edition of Tianguis Turístico 2014 (on May 6), President Enrique Peña Nieto said that, “Tourism is a strategic sector for the growth of Mexico and one of the largest generators of investment, employment and foreign exchange earnings.” Its contribution to the development and welfare of our population therefore makes it a key engine for the transformation of the country,” he said.

He said that, “Consolidating Mexico as a sustainable, modern, world-class tourist destination is a firm commitment of the entire government.” It is therefore a cross-cutting priority of the administration in which all departments, in their respective fields, are committed.

By way of an example, he said that the installation and operation of the Tourism Cabinet have strengthened the coordination and planning of public policies for this sector. The President said that emphasis has been placed on the plans, budgets and actions in support of tourism in Mexico, “Because this activity is an important source of employment for women, particularly the young people of our country.”

The President said, “Thanks to government actions, confident investors continue to expand their operations in the country; but above all, thanks to the daily work of millions of Mexicans working in tourism, 2013 was the most successful year ever for tourism in Mexico.”

He said that last year 23.7 million international tourists visited our country, with foreign exchange earnings achieving a record high. “Best of all is the fact that this positive trend has continued into 2014,” he added, explaining that between 1 January and 28 February, the country received 4.5 million international tourists.

“This figure is more than 15 percent over the number registered during the same period in 2013, which was a record year,” he said.

After stating that Mexico has everything required to establish itself as a world-class tourist power, the President declared that Mexico receives the second largest flow of tourists in America. “As well, it is the only Latin American country among the 25 most visited nations in the world.”

The President said that tourism is one of six strategic areas in which 7.7 billion pesos will be invested in infrastructure during this administration, and that most of these resources will have a positive impact on this activity. He explained that over 180 billion pesos will be directly invested to broaden and upgrade the tourism infrastructure of Mexico, based on three strategies:

First: to improve the existing infrastructure and equipment in major tourist destinations. This will include restoring beaches, refurbishing historic districts in colonial cities, and a program to support the country’s magical towns and increase their number to 100 during this administration.

Second: promote the creation of a new tourism infrastructure to diversify the range of services available in the sector. In this area, he said that major investment projects include the consolidation of the Mesoamerican heritage to develop sustainable resorts in Chichén Itzá, Palenque, Calakmul and Teotihuacán. Plans are also underway for the construction of new convention centers, as well as at least 20 public parks in the country’s main beaches.

The third strategy links infrastructure development to policies promoting tourism competitiveness, including, “The remodeling of major airports to make them more user-friendly, the modernization of tourist ports, and the creation of new road accesses.”

More sustainable tourist destinations will be developed, and underground cabling will be installed to enhance the country’s urban image.

“On the basis of these investment projects, which will consolidate and diversify tourism, Mexico will have a stronger basis for making this activity a great promoter of regional development and welfare for Mexican families,” he declared.

At this event, which was attended by the governors of the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Coahuila, Colima, Jalisco, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatán and Zacatecas, President Peña Nieto stressed that, “Our country has much to offer and it is increasingly prepared for the world to come and enjoy Mexico." He therefore hoped that Tianguis Turístico 2014 would be, “A great opportunity to demonstrate the quality and warmth of Mexico and Mexicans.”

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Presidency of the Republic, Mexico, DF, May 6, 2014; translation by Presidency of the Republic (edited)