INVESTING
in the future
Mexico’s tourism industry is
in a dynamic growth mode
GERARDO LLANES,
CHIEF MARKETING
OFFICER, MEXICO
TOURISM BOARD
of Mexico’s economy overall affect
tourism development?
A. Mexico offers an attractive destination for
foreign direct investment (FDI) and opportunity for business growth. Mexican authorities predict foreign investment in the tourism
sector will amount to $3.5 billion and generate
a capital inflow that will create about 20,000
jobs in that sector, over the next three years.
Q. What role does the growth of Mexico’s
tourism industry play in the strength of
the country’s economy overall?
A. Tourism is one of the most important industries in Mexico and represents the third largest
portion of Mexico’s gross domestic product.
Mexico is currently ranked 10th globally in
international visitor arrivals. Mexico is the only
Latin American destination in the top 10 for
international visitors, and second after the U.S.
in top visitor arrivals in the western hemisphere.
Q. There are a number of infrastructure
developments and renovation/restoration
projects underway in Mexico that will
have an impact on the travel and tourism experience. How extensive are these
projects?
A. As a result of the signing of the Conventions of the Reallocation of Resources, 1.67
billion pesos (about $US125 million) has been
allocated to states throughout the country,
which will trigger investments of 3. 27 billion
pesos (about $US245 million) in the improvement of tourism infrastructure. A total of 263
infrastructure improvement projects have
been launched in 171 municipalities.
These resources will improve services as
well as the quality of the urban image in the
country’s tourism destinations. Specifically,
Mexico plans to invest 60 million pesos (about
$US4.4 million) on highways in Guerrero in
order to generate more tourist flow to Ixtapa
Zihuatanejo.
