Luis Humberto Araiza López, Secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability (SETUES) as president of the Union of Secretaries of Tourism of Mexico (ASETUR), participated together with leaders of the tourism industry at the national level, in a virtual dialogue with the ambassador of Mexico in the United States, Martha Bárcena Coqui, with the purpose of addressing the perspectives on this sector in the country.

During his speech, the Southern California official made four fundamental points: The decline in the North American market that visits Mexico, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the tourism sector, the actions taken during the crisis and some collaborations that may be generated.

Luis H. Araiza mentioned that the United States continues to be one of the main issuing countries of travelers to the Republic, since more than 58% of all travelers who arrive in the country by air are Americans. He also added that several million more, enter by land, generating an important economic spill for all of Mexico, hence the importance of recovering and strengthening alliances with this nation.

The secretary proposed to establish a joint strategy in coordination with the Government of the Republic, in this case through the Foreign Ministry and in particular with the Embassy of Mexico in the United States, together with the consulates, to work on the application of mechanisms aimed at to position the Mexico brand in the neighboring country; and mainly to reactivate and reestablish the dynamism that this industry maintained before the health crisis.

Therefore, he said, it is necessary to determine links between the institutions to develop a common agenda and logistics of continuous and efficient communication. Also, he pointed out that efforts should be added to identify areas of opportunity and enrich promotion strategies; as well as for the organization of work tours of Governors, Secretaries of Tourism, in alliance with the business sector, in addition to arranging meetings with the main tour operators, airlines and hotel chains, among other actors.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, we have had a fluid conversation with the Ambassador and her work team about the effects on the travel and tourism industry in Mexico. We have addressed concerns about travel restrictions imposed by the United States Government through the Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issues on which we will continue to work hand in hand, to face and overcome the challenges they present ”, concluded Luis Humberto Araiza López.

"Los Cabos and Baja California Sur are ready to receive and serve meeting tourism, under the strictest sanitary and quality controls," said the Secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability (SETUES), Luis Humberto Araiza López. The official stressed that this event not only contributes to the reactivation of this segment; Rather, it will be a promotional platform for all tourism activity, as it will bring together 250 specialists and world leaders in the meetings industry.

He also stressed that this type of tourism affects the growth of the sector due to its high level of expenses and its increase in the average stay, in addition to paying to keep hotel occupancy rates high throughout the year, hence the importance of its restoration.

“Meeting tourism generates jobs, boosts other productive sectors of our economy and generates an economic benefit of more than 7 billion pesos, for this reason we are redoubling our efforts to compete again in this market, as we are sure that it will be fundamental for the recovery and strengthening of the tourism sector in the face of the pandemic ”, added the head of SETUES. “We will continue working with private initiative to make BCS a healthier and safer destination. To do this, we will continue to implement promotional strategies that allow us to recover our main economic activity ”.

Los Cabos recently hosted the fifth edition of the PCMA Professional Exchange event, where meeting planners, corporations and planners of national and international events met.

The workshop "Rethink to Create" was closed

"The natural beauty that Baja California Sur has has been key to the success of the tourism industry, which is why we will always promote that this activity is responsible and friendly to the environment," said the Secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability (SETUES ), Luis Humberto Araiza López during the virtual closing of the second online workshop "Rethink to Create", which was aimed at tourism entrepreneurs or those who engage in activities with nature, with the aim of promoting the creation of projects that strengthen the offer of the entity and at the same time contribute to the sustainable use of these resources.

In his message, Luis Araiza urged businessmen and service providers to take care of the biodiversity of BCS, as he said, in addition to attracting the arrival of millions of tourists each year, they are a source of economic progress and social development for families.

Likewise, he pointed out to the participants the importance of following the health protocols and guidelines to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to protect the health of travelers and their collaborators and consolidate the State as a safe destination in addition to being committed to the natural heritage

Finally, Araiza López recalled that a third workshop will be held on August 12, for which he commented to those interested, that they should register on the website https://crecimiento.redturismosustentable.org/repensar-para-crear /; or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., highlighting that the space is limited.

The “Rethinking to Create” workshop is carried out in coordination with the Network of Citizen Observers; which is totally free and addresses the following topics: interpretation of natural and cultural heritage; and business design: the environment, business model, prices and costs, security measures against Covid-19.

"The tourism industry in Mexico generates more than 4.2 million direct jobs and represents 8.7% of GDP, in addition to being the third largest source of foreign currency in our country, therefore we give our full support to the proposal presented by Secretary Torruco Marqués before the Ministry of Health to make this sector an essential activity ”mentioned Luis H. Araiza López, Secretary of Tourism, Economy and Sustainability (SETUES)

Araiza indicated that the tourism sector has been one of the most affected by the pandemic caused by the Covid 19 virus since jobs have been lost and businesses have been closed, which has caused a severe economic crisis, mainly in destinations where tourism is the main economic engine such as Baja California Sur. That is why, said the official, it is important to consider it as an essential activity.

"From the government headed by Carlos Mendoza, we offer our full support to this initiative, confident that the best decisions will have to be made based on a detailed analysis of the specific situation that each entity maintains, according to its economy and traffic light. We are confident that the authorities will do the right thing to preserve the jobs and well-being of families, "said the secretary.