The 40th annual Tianguis Turistico, the Mexican national tourism and travel trade show encouraging the promotion and marketing of Mexico’s diverse offering of tourism products and services, this year returned to its original home of Acapulco to much fanfare and a renewed vitality in the beach resort. The conference itself, held at the Mundo Imperial in Acapulco’s Diamond Zone, was lauded as a success, and was the largest and best-attended to date. There were 540 booths with 2,400 exhibitors and 690 vendors (266 national and 424 international) from five continents, including Africa and the Middle East, a first for both regions.
The Tianguis (or “marketplace”) opened on Monday with a ribbon cutting by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, accompanied by several members of the federal and state of Guerrero governments including Secretary of Tourism Claudia Ruiz Massieu. The group toured the trade show floor before continuing on to an al fresco luncheon.
A wide range of press conferences were held throughout the four-day event, including those touching on Los Cabos hurricane recovery, international tourist money back benefits, and new Aeromexico routes and connectivity. Per the federal tourism ministry, an estimated 31,000 business meetings were held. But it wasn’t just work—many of the Mexican state booths presented cultural displays such as dancing and some even offering gastronomic specialties and drinks.
A big talking point this year was the diversification of travel product within Mexico. Mexico is fortunate to have a wide variety of tourism options: beach, cultural and heritage, culinary, luxury, and the list goes on. On the final day, Tourism Secretary Massieu was joined for a press conference by Guerrero state governor Rogelio Martínez Ortega and the head of Guerrero Tourism, Sergio Salmerón Manzanares, as well top-ranking members of SECTUR. Governor Ortega emphasized that his state is not just beach destinations and that there’s even more to see in the interior. Secretary Massieu talked about the “Pueblos Magicos,” or Magic Towns, a specially designated title for certain towns throughout Mexico that have a significant historical and cultural importance. The Pueblos Magicos are being marketed together in an effort to boost their recognition in new markets.
Tourism is one of Mexico’s most important industries. 7.4% of Mexicans are employed within Tourism and travel and tourism make up a full 8.5% of Mexico’s annual GDP. International tourism makes up 3%. Mexico is now the second largest Medical Tourism destination on the world. Of international tourists, 49% come from the US and 22% from Canada. International tourism from places outside North America remains one of the largest areas of potential growth for Mexican Tourism.
To that end, there has been a concerted push in the past year to strengthen the relationship between Mexico and the United Kingdom and to bolster Mexico’s tourism presence within the UK. To promote better understanding between the two countries, 2015 is the Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom and the year of the United Kingdom in Mexico. Many cultural exchanges are planned and even the latest James Bond film is currently filming in Mexico City. President Niete visited London earlier this year and met with Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister David Cameron, and Deputy PM Nick Clegg. President Niete wrote about his trip and his hopes for Mexico’s partnership with the UK in the Telegraph. Further to this end, this year’s Tianguis keynote speaker was former British PM, Tony Blair. He spoke, not in an official press conference but, as he described it, in a conversation between friends. He expressed his admiration for Mexico and hoped that the two countries could work together in the future for their mutual benefit.
From now on, Tianguis Turistico will travel in alternate years, so it will be held one year in Acapulco, the next in another region of Mexico. The announcement was made that the 2016 edition of Tianguis Turistico will be hosted in Guadalajara. A celebratory cocktail party was held Wednesday night by Guadalajara and mariachi bands played under the stars at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess, as attendees raised their glasses to another successful Tianguis and to great hopes for Mexican Tourism in 2016 and beyond.
Tianguis Turistico, www.tianguisturisticomexico.com.mx
Visit Mexico, www.visitmexico.com