In alliance with the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) chose for the fifth consecutive year the tourist destination of Los Cabos as the venue for its forum for the meeting of national and international corporations that had the opportunity to share their experience and vision about the wide world in the international tourism market. This event is the first one held in Los Cabos, thus reactivating group meetings and conventions.

Following strict health safety regulations, Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos opened its doors to an audience of ninety representatives from the local hotel, gastronomic, tourist agencies, suppliers and media sectors to publicize the new strategies that will be used to innovate. in the fulfillment of meetings, conventions and events following the guidelines imposed by the new reality for the tourism market.

"The contraction of world tourism was 44%, representing 180 million tourists, which gives a total of 145 billion dollars in losses, resulting in the loss of 100 to 120 million jobs in the tourist union," Luis reported. Humberto Araiza López, Secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability explaining that it is a matter of urgency that destinations follow the protocols that will guarantee the success of a prompt reopening, giving Los Cabos as an example, which thanks to the discipline applied in the sanitary guidelines has Obtained the Clean Point Certificate and recently the Safe Travel seal by the World Tourism Council.

The purpose of the PCMA is to bring together international corporations, event planners, marketing experts and meeting planners in a single forum so that the audience can get to know their professional development, business strategies, international alliances as well as the new trends in the realization. of events mixing creativity and technology to venture into digital media as a measure of adaptation to the new reality we are living now because of the Covid 19.

For his part, Rodrigo Esponda, Director General of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA) commented that the purpose of this meeting is the exhibition and exchange of ideas as they take on greater relevance this year in contrast to previous ones due to the challenges that They impose the new protocols to carry out tourist and commercial activities.

"For Los Cabos it is of great importance to show the industry that the destination is ready to continue receiving world-class conventions and events, while providing certainty that the destination has specialized personnel to ensure the safety of attendees," he said. Rodrigo Esponda acknowledging the great work that the sector has carried out in managing sanitary measures.

"Los Cabos is ready to receive new events," said the director, thanking each of the speakers for their participation as well as the experience and professionalism they demonstrate in trusting and supporting this cause, also mentioning that more meetings are being sought at the local, national level. and international for the rest of the year.

The aforementioned forum also included the participation of the Commercial Director of the Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, Leonardo Mena, as well as the presence of Casa Hogar Los Cabos and Jesús Aguilar, president of the PCMA Mexico chapter.

Luis Humberto Araiza, secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability (SETUES) as well as president of the Union of Secretaries of Tourism of Mexico (ASETUR) attended the virtual presentation of the Impulse to the Hotel Sector program that is in charge of the owner in the field Federal government, Miguel Torruco Marqués, whose main objective is to seek financing for hotel MSMEs and travel agencies, as well as tourist transport services, in order to recover after the pandemic caused by Covid 19.

This program works hand in hand with Bancomext, Nacional Financiera and private banks in the Association of Banks of Mexico. The credits that could be granted could be from 200 thousand to 30 million pesos that would be paid six months after delivery within a period of sixty months with an interest rate of up to 13.5%

Luis Humberto Araiza, pointed out that the participation of the Development Bank is vital for the development of this plan, since in the face of the challenges that the health crisis has left, financing schemes available in the market are required, with guarantee programs that support MSMEs for their speedy recovery.

 “We must stay on the path of cooperation. Only united, we will be able to get out of this deep crisis that affects the sector. Only united, we will once again power up this great engine, which is tourism, and which moves the Mexican economy, ”said Araiza López.

Finally, the official recognized SECTUR and the Development Bank for the support given to companies in the hotel sector and commented: "They are the backbone of infrastructure and the offer of tourist services," he said.

Luis Humberto Araiza López, Secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability (SETUES) made a virtual delivery of two new “H” Badges and sixty endorsements to Grupo Pueblo Bonito in Cabo San Lucas, indicating that said certificate granted by the Federal Tourism Secretariat gives certainty and confidence to tourists about the quality and cleanliness of the food and beverage preparation processes, since they have the NMX-F-605-NORMEX Standard imposed on all companies in compliance with hygiene controls.

“Given the new challenges that the Coronavirus pandemic imposes on the tourism industry, the issue of hygiene and safety becomes more important; as they are essential elements for the successful restoration of the entire sector, ”said the secretary in this regard.

Luis Humberto Araiza highlighted the deep interest that the State Government has in recovering tourist activity since it is the main economic engine and the largest source of jobs in the entity, therefore, he indicated that through SETUES this type will continue to be promoted incentives so that companies are strengthened and able to compete in the international market despite the new normality since Baja California Sur is among the ten destinations with the most certifications.

The secretary took the opportunity to congratulate Grupo Pueblo Bonito for the great commitment shown in terms of hygiene and quality as well as joining efforts to achieve the "Clean Point" quality seal by certifying 600 companies in this administration.

Due to its privileged place between the sea and the desert, Los Cabos has managed to be a paradise full of tourist attractions that stand out for the experience of enjoying its multicultural wealth and beautiful landscapes. Los Cabos has been classified as a unique destination committed to respecting the environment and recognized due to the good use of its resources and the good treatment nature receives from those who come into contact with it.

Even in the midst of the crisis caused by the pandemic, Los Cabos has been chosen to win three new “Blue Flag” recognitions, positioning it as a leading destination in Mexico, with 22 of its beaches certified with this distinctive.

The beaches of Los Cabos have gone through a strict protocol to qualify as the best within the quality standards imposed by state authorities to prevent the spread of Covid 19 and safeguard the health and well-being of its inhabitants, a fact that has allowed its opening is authorized respecting as always the new habits of health prevention such as keeping a healthy distance, respecting the 30% capacity allowed and the schedules established by the state government.

The list of certified beaches are:

•        Acapulquito
•        Playa Chileno
•        Corsario
•        Hacienda
•        Las Viudas
•        Palmilla
•        Santa María
•        La Ribera
•        Médano Breathless
•        Médano Casa Dorada
•        Médano Club Cascadas de Baja
•        Médano ME Cabo
•        Médano Pueblo Bonito Cabos
•        Médano Pueblo Bonito Rose
•        Médano Riu Palace Los Cabos
•        Médano Riu Santa Fe
•        Médano Villa del Palmar
•        Médano Villa del Arco
•        Médano Villa la Estancia
•        La Gaviota
•        El Surgidero
•        Monumentos

Due to the different ecosystems that nurture the identity of Los Cabos, tourists generate a genuine bond of belonging with nature, which has created endless activities of relaxation and fun, but also care, information and research on environmental phenomena and the Biodiversity that characterizes it, generating a great connection between the destination and its visitors.

The hard work done in Los Cabos, as well as the cooperation of its inhabitants to maintain it as a healthy, clean and alive destination has paid off and is ultimately a destination committed to the environment and the safety of its visitors and inhabitants.

* With information from Llorente / Fiturca