Anonymous - 9-15-2003 at 10:10 PM
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/supplement/archives/2003/09/...
By Mexican Trade Services
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003,
Tourism in Mexico is the third income generator, and represents between 8% and 10% of its GDP. It also generates around 20 million of direct jobs.
This is an activity carried on by the private sector but oriented and regulated by the public sector. Because of these and many other characteristics,
tourism has become one of Mexico's economic development pillars.
The largest amount of tourists in Mexico come from the United States and Canada, followed by Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the
Netherlands in Europe, from Latin America, tourists come mainly from Argentina, Chile and Brazil and from Asia most of the tourism comes from Japan.
In 2002 19.7 million tourists entered Mexico representing an income of 8 billion usd for Mexican economy.
Business tourism has also become an important income generator; in 2001 7,150 congresses were celebrated that represented an income of almost 1.5
billion usd. In order to promote this important activity, Mexico's government has taken some measures like charging no taxes on transportation and
hotel rooms occupation.
Mexico tourist programs "Centros de Playa" (Beach Centers) Program: This program is focused on those States with beaches; takes care of the sand,
flora, fauna and the cleanliness of the ocean, all these to surpass the expectations of tourists. The States of Mexico that are included in this
program are: Baja California Sur, Colima, Jalisco, Guerrero, Nayarit, Oaxaca and Sinaloa.
In an indirect way, through this or other programs like "Mundo Maya" (Mayan World), "Fronteras" (Frontiers) and "Ruta de los Dioses" (Gods Routes),
the States of Baja California, Sonora, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas and Veracruz are surveyed to assure the quality of their beaches and protect the
archeological sites.
Now a days there is in Mexico a policy that recognizes this country as a sunny beach paradise with a great cultural value because of its 3,000 years
of history and archeological diversity that includes cultures as: Zapoteca, Tolteca, Maya, Teotihuacana and Azteca.
In Latin America, Mexico occupies the first place regarding places declared as Cultural Patrimony by UNESCO. Besides, Mexican food, handicrafts,
folklore and music makes of this the perfect place for traveling.
"El Mundo Maya" (Mayan World): This is a program that includes the States of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatan, that with an
strategic alliance with Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. This program intends to satisfy the demands of tourists and also preserve this
destinations.
"Fronteras" (Frontiers): This program includes the States of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Tamaulipas (mainly
the northern part of Mexico). This program intends to promote fishing, business tourism, congresses, expositions, adventure tourism, etc.
"Ruta de los Dioses" (Gods Routes): Includes the States of Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca promoting the rich culture of this archeological sites, the
beaches, gastronomy and ancient traditions.
"En el Corazon de Mexico" (In Mexico's Heart): Includes the Federal District, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Morelos and Tlaxcala. This program intends to promote
the colonial sites of Mexico.
"Tesoros Coloniales del Centro de Mexico" (Center Mexico Colonial Treasures): Includes the States of Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Queretaro,
San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas. This program promotes and takes care of all this colonial cities providing high quality tourist services.