PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) — Canada has been identified as the second largest source of international tourists to Mexico, a statistic that has prompted the Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués, to embark on the “Operación Toca Puertas” (Operation Knocks on Doors) tour. The initiative commenced in Calgary, Alberta, to rejuvenate tourism post-pandemic.
Between January and June 2023, Canadian visits to Mexico soared to a staggering 1.385 million — a 61.1% jump compared to the same period in 2022. Moreover, Canadian tourists’ expenditure in Mexico in this timeframe amounted to a whopping $1.614 billion, marking a 65.7% increase from the previous year’s first half.
Marqués emphasized that Calgary is the fifth Canadian city, after Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, where Operation Knocks on Doors has been executed. The mission aims to bolster bilateral ties, solidify cooperation, and enhance the influx of travelers.
Addressing over 20 tour operators at the “This is Mexico” Seminar, Marqués reported that in 2022, 1.759 million Canadian tourists flew into Mexico, contributing approximately $1.945 billion to the country’s tourism revenue. He extolled Mexico’s rich tapestry of sun-soaked beaches, verdant mountains, lush jungles, and vibrant traditions.
An integral part of Mexico’s tourism blueprint is the ambitious Mayan Train project, as elaborated by Marqués. This venture will link the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo through 20 stations and 14 stopovers, connecting 117 high-profile tourist destinations.
He further announced initiatives to enhance air connectivity, including the expansion and modernization of airports. The newly constructed Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) is a testament to these efforts, promising to be a significant gateway for Canadian tourists into Mexico’s heartland.
Alberta’s tour operators showcased their enthusiasm for championing trips to Mexico’s diverse locales beyond the archetypal sun-and-beach destinations.
As part of this initiative, a collaborative session was orchestrated with Flair Airlines executives Eric Tanner and Juliana Ramírez. Discussions concerned potential avenues to augment air connectivity between Calgary, other primary Canadian cities, and Mexico’s top tourist hotspots.
Flair Airlines’ executives unveiled their vision of accessing numerous Mexican destinations and established ones like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. The airline’s competitive edge as a budget carrier was touted as a pivotal catalyst to spur Canadian tourism.
In a strategic alignment, Marqués also convened with luminaries from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), a hospitality and tourism training vanguard. Both parties consented to amplify collaboration in training programs and knowledge exchange. James Overall and Hala Dehais, key stakeholders from SAIT, participated in this pivotal discussion.
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