BajaNomad

Baja California shines throughout 2012- One of the best years for tourism in the state

Gypsy Jan - 12-8-2012 at 05:44 PM

From San Diego Red

by Brenda Colón Navar

"2012 will be written down in tourism history books as one of the best years for Baja California when it comes to gastronomy, sports, culture and art which have demonstrated their greatness far beyond the borders, explained Juan Tintos Funcke who is the head director of the Secretariat for Tourism in an interview with SanDieogoRed.

The local economy for a long time has depended on tourism in the state, which in the past had made it very difficult for many business owners because of the wave of violence the state suffered from, but throughout 2012 things have gone back to normal little by little.

Funcke indicated that this year there was an increase of 5% in hotel occupancy in the state, particularly in Tijuana and in Ensenada.

Ensenada known also as the "Cinderella of the Pacific", there has been a total of 557 events that have been celebrated so far this year, which include the festivities of the "Valle de Guadalupe" that has become one of the top destinations along the Pacific Ocean nationally, and is surpassed only by Cozumel that is the most popular tourist destination searched for on the Internet.

In Tijuana one can assume that the growth that it has gone through is due to sports, specifically the great impact that the local soccer team, Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente, has had in the city, but that's not quite true.

Funcke stated that this border region has also transformed into the headquarters for business events, technology and medical tourism.

Culture and art has had its share of success as well, with events such as "Entijuanarte" and "Tijuana Innovadora."

The greatness of the state has also been reflected in the number of films that have been produced in the region, which have brought such celebrities like Edward James Olmos and Robert Redford, and also many sources of international media to the state that has attracted the attention of visitors from around the world.

One of the new biggest stars of the regions is the BajaMed kitchen, who has been exposed in many festivals like in the Baja Culinary Fest.Chefs like Miguel Angel Guerrero, Javier Placencia and Diego Hernandez have also received international awards and many interviews.

These chefs have also demonstrated the best of what the region has to offer with some of the their best dishes in which they use all types of local ingredients from natural resources that is accompanied by some excellent wine.

According to the Secretariat for Tourism, 90% of the Mexican wines are produced in Baja California, and that this wine industry has transformed the region by creating also a touristic route, which most of the flow of visitors come from different parts within the country and has been a great accomplishment.

Due to the effect that the vineyards have had on the region, different local and state government agencies have worked hard to improve the conditions of the roads, and have also created rest areas for those who come and visit the region in their vehicles.

There have been also several programs created and small economic credits for local producers, with the intention to influence their growth.

Our new strategy is not only for the wine route, which now will be known as the "cheese and wine route."

Baja California has been visited also by many international chefs like Rick Bayless, Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain who have also highlighted the greatness that can be enjoyed in this state, along with some of the best restaurants to eat at like Mission 19, Corazon de Tierra and the sensational seafood that is prepared by Mrs. Sabina at her street food cart "La Guerrerense" that has been also featured in Newsweek magazine.

Something noteworthy is about the tourism of Latinos from California, Arizona and Nevada who come to Baja California to celebrate family weddings, "quinceañeras", and also take advantage of their stay in the region by visiting restaurants and enjoying all of the events that may be happening.

The head director of the Secretariat for Tourism Juan Tintos Funcke also talked about a very important topic, which was in regards to the economic link that California has with Baja California, Mexico, "El Chaparral."

This new gateway for entry into Mexico started operating three weeks before it was originally planned for, and has better signs with 22 lanes that multiply the access for vehicles.

Residents from Baja California have also contributed to the local economy on the other side of the border as well, and are included in the number of shoppers that have helped increase sales by 20% throughout the Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For the upcoming year 2013, Baja California is expected to continue on this recovery trend that includes the grand opening of a new Convention Center, and the improvement of roads throughout the state, and also the increase of films that will be produced in the region along with more international celebrities visiting the state.

The recommendation that Juan Tintos Funcke made was to take advantage of Baja California, a very diverse state."

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Translation: Omar.Martinez

rhintransit - 12-9-2012 at 06:04 AM

didn't trickle down to little Loreto, nor many of the towns of BCS, alas.

absinvestor - 12-9-2012 at 09:29 AM

I didn't see any trickle down in Mulege either!!!

sancho - 12-9-2012 at 02:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
that this year there was an increase of 5% in hotel occupancy in the state, particularly in Tijuana and in Ensenada.


Something noteworthy is about the tourism of Latinos from California, Arizona and Nevada who come to Baja California to celebrate family weddings,








A 5% increase is better that 0% increase, I guess. NONE,
ZERO of my aquaintances here 70 mi. no. of the border will
drive across, these were people who frequented Baja
in the past. I've always observed the So Cal Latino
tourists as having been little affected by the media
coverage of violence in Mex

BajaGeoff - 12-10-2012 at 02:27 PM

We have definitely seen a significant increase in our business. 2012 is going to go down as one of the best years ever for us.

¡Viva Baja!