Mexico highlighted the “historic opportunity” to build a new global tourism era after the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has left more than 8.4 million cases and exceeds 440,000 deaths worldwide.
At the LXV Meeting of the Regional Commission for America of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held virtually, the Mexican Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco, stated that this new tourist era must be far from mass practices, overexploitation, and environmental deterioration.
Torruco asked the tourism industry to accept that traveling, which represents the essence of the meeting, “was clouded” by having become one of the main vehicles for transmission of the virus.
At the meeting, the Minister stressed that in addition to the negative effects of the pandemic, it should be appreciated that this forced a pause in tourism and has left us “spectacular scenes” of nature and tourist sites.
All this, he indicated, places the world “with the historic opportunity to build a new era for tourism, which is not focused on exclusivity and does not depend on external factors. “
Tourism today is an interdependent activity that must offer a greater cultural content, which represents greater challenges with new products and health protocols given the legacy that the coronavirus has left, he said.
The Minister told the forum that Mexico has established, among its priorities, the development of “a different tourism”, with a new social approach that privileges the development and growth of the most unprotected sectors, especially those living in tourist destinations.
“The appearance of the coronavirus has generated damages not only in the health and economic spheres, but also socially and culturally, making evident the exhaustion and decline of the traditional way of doing tourism,” said the Minister.
At the meeting, UNWTO Secretary General, Georgian Zurab Pololikashvili, pointed out that tourism is experiencing an unprecedented crisis, with an economic outlook that is difficult to predict and social consequences with serious repercussions.
Pololikashvili maintained that in the first quarter of the year a drop of 67 million tourists was recorded worldwide, a decrease of $80 billion USD in income.
The UNWTO head said that it is important “to restore the confidence of travelers” with security protocols that reduce risks and that give governments and companies the facilities to open tourism in a safe, fluid, and responsible manner.
Mexico received 45 million international tourists in 2019, a figure that represented a growth of 9% over the previous year, which left the country with an economic spillover of $24.5 billion USD.
Tourism in Mexico represents around 8.7% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and generates more than eleven million direct and indirect jobs.
Trending News on PVDN
The Connection Between the Jalisco Cartel, Missing Employees at Call Center, 45 Bags of Body Parts, Timeshare Scams, and American Tourists PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - More than a week after the initial disappearance of eight young workers at a call center in Zapopan, Jalisco, the case continues to be shrouded in mystery, leaving families distraught and demanding answers. The Jalisco Prosecutor's Office has made little progress in the investigation, according to the relatives of the missing…
Shocking Case of Animal Abuse in Mexico: Man Throws Dog into Boiling Fry Oil PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - A disturbing incident of animal abuse has sent shockwaves throughout Mexico, as a man allegedly threw a dog into a pot of boiling oil, resulting in the animal's tragic death. Authorities have detained the suspect for the assault on the dog and have issued an additional arrest warrant on charges of…
Thrill-Seeking Tourist in Puerto Vallarta is Rescued After Parachute Accident on Los Muertos Beach Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - A woman was rescued after her parachute got entangled in a palm tree on the popular Los Muertos Beach in an incident that highlighted a growing concern over the lack of regulation in tourist activities in Puerto Vallarta. The incident unfolded during one of the city's burgeoning recreational pursuits frequently indulged…
Popocatépetl Volcano Activity Continues; June 5, 2023 Monitoring Update PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - In the latest updates from the monitoring systems of the Popocatépetl volcano, 108 exhalations were recorded in the last 24 hours, accompanied by water vapor, volcanic gases, and minor quantities of ash. The monitoring systems also registered 51 minutes of tremor segments, ranging from low to moderate amplitude and high frequency.…
It’s Getting a Little More Expensive for Americans Living in Mexico, Peso Surges to Over Seven-Year High Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The Mexican peso reached its highest level in more than seven years on Friday, June 2, driven by positive employment data from the United States. The country's stock market also experienced a notable rise as fears of a recession in the US diminished. At the close of trading, the peso was…
Buried Body Found Near Home of Man Who Went Missing at Puerto Vallarta Pride PUERTO VALLARTA - This Monday morning, a gruesome discovery of a half-buried body was made on a property located adjacent to the home of Ruben Michel, a young man who has been missing since May 25. Michel, a deaf-mute member of the LGBTQ+ community, vanished following the Vallarta Pride event. Municipal Police were alerted to…
Volaris Maintains Regular Operations in Puerto Vallarta Despite Strike Threat PUERTO VALLARTA - Amid threats of a work stoppage by Volaris employees early this Monday, operations at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport have continued as usual, as reported by the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). According to official statements from the airline, as of 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, Volaris has operated 77 flights…
Popocatépetl Volcano Exhibits Increased Activity; Yellow Phase 3 Alert Continues PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - In the past 24 hours, heightened activity was recorded from Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano, with an alarming 315 exhalations detected, accompanied by water vapor, other volcanic gases, and ash, according to the Scientific Advisory Committee (CCA) of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC). Monitoring systems in place around the active stratovolcano also…
Puerto Vallarta Celebrates 105 Years as Municipality, 55 as City with Grand Anniversary Celebration PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - Puerto Vallarta, one of the nation's favorite tourist destinations, celebrated the 105th anniversary of its elevation to a municipality and its 55th year as a city with a solemn session held in the central courtyard of the city's presidency. Presiding over the commemorative event was Mayor, Professor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez,…
Mother Pleads for Expedited Investigation into Disappearance of Son Following Vallarta Pride Celebration PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – One week after the disappearance of 32-year-old Michel Rubén Castro Guizar, who attended the Vallarta Pride celebration in Puerto Vallarta, his mother Bacilia Guizar pleads with authorities to accelerate the investigation and search efforts. In an emotional press conference outside her house at 114 March 18th Street, October 12th neighborhood, Guizar…
