Tourism “pillar in the development of Mexico

Rogelio Granguillhome Morfín / Translation: Ximena Palau Salazar

In recent years, the tourism sector in Mexico has faced significant challenges. Issues such as the potential threat of H1N1, epidemic flu in 2009, and the perception of growing insecurity stemming from the fight against organized crime, they fear that the country’s image fell in the eyes of travelers. Reality has shown that this fear is unfounded.

The phenomenon of drug-related organized crime, which should not be underestimated, is limited to specific areas of the country. There, the battle against criminal groups has been a priority and unwavering in the five years since the government of President Felipe Calderon.
Mexico is a country in which its citizens and foreign visitors can live and enjoy it in peace. Proof of this is that our country remains as an attractive place to do business. The annual report on the competitiveness of the 2011 World Economic Forum (WEF) said that Mexico is the Latin American country later this year, up eight places from 66 to 58, with a score of 4.29, the best in recent years. In turn, in 2010 Mexico ranked number 18 worldwide as host country for FDI, having located on site 21 in 2009.

Tourism is one of the engines of growth and development in Mexico. Contributes 9% of gross domestic product and represents the third largest source of foreign exchange earnings of our country. In turn, the more than 43 000 companies engaged in this activity generates 7.5 million jobs.

At the international level ,for its great beauty and natural diversity, cultural richness and quality of its services, Mexico is one of the major tourist destinations in the world. Only in 2010 there were over 22 million travelers from 145 countries, ranking as the 10th place worldwide and 1 in Latin America and the Caribbean in the number of visitors it receives each year. During the first half of this year the country received 11.4 million foreign visitors, representing an increase of 3.3% over the same period in 2010.

Because of the importance of this sector, the government has given special attention to ensure the safety of visitors, both domestic and foreign, in the main tourist destinations.

No doubt there is a coordinated effort between government, business, academia and society in general to keep our country as an important destination for international travelers, both to ensure the necessary business climate and conditions of employment, infrastructure and security indispensable to increase competitiveness, promote sustainability and facilitate private investment in the tourism sector However, we wan a more prominent place in the world. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that in 2010, total revenues from international tourism were 919 billion dollars compared to 851 billion dollars in 2009. For 2011, the multilateral agency predicts global tourism growth of between 4% and 5%.

Mexico wants to take a much more prominent place as a tourist destination worldwide. To this end, in February this year the government and business representatives and civil society organizations signed the National Agreement for Tourism, to lay the foundation for our country is located in 2018 as the fifth-level tourist destination global. This agreement includes a program of 100 shares and 10 main areas of management, most notably the increasing connectivity to facilitate tourist arrivals, infrastructure development, promotion of public and private investment, promoting tourism, diversification of supply sector and strengthening the competitiveness of touristic destinations.

So far the administration of President Felipe Calderon, the private investment to develop tourism projects exceeded 16 billion dollars, an amount 26.4% higher than in the first five years the previous government. At the same time, the government’s investment in this sector from 2007 to 2011, was more than 13.5 billion pesos, an amount 190% higher than the total invested by the government in the previous administration.

Mexico has the quality of services and infrastructure to host international events of great magnitude. Each year, our country is home to major international forums and meetings, both public and private. Suffice it to mention that soon will take place the International Tourism Fair of the Americas (September in Mexico City), the World Tourism Day (September 27, Mazatlan) and the Pan American Games (from 14 to 30 October in Guadalajara).

And for 2012 events are expected to realize the magnitude of the World Economic Forum for Latin America (April, Puerto Vallarta), and the Summit of the Group of 20 (June, Los Cabos). The same can be mentioned business tourism, which is the appropriate facilities and services across the country.

No doubt that the tourism industry an opportunity to promote development and foster economic growth and thus helps to significantly improve the living standards of the population. The World Tourism Organization said that “the contribution of tourism to the economic well-being depends on the quality and the income that tourism offers”. In Mexico, tourism and today is a central pillar of the welfare. And in this recognition settles and strengthens the commitment of government, business, academia and society generally, of maintaining the vitality and increase the quality of services and tourism in Mexico.