Mexico: More than surf and sand
Mexican tourism officials are making a conscious effort to draw tourists beyond its traditional allure of surf and sand.
Tourism officials are promoting such areas as Campeche on the Yucatan Peninsula, which has 18 recognized archeological sites open to the public.
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is another under-utilized destination. It’s Mexico’s largest tropical reserve, a sanctuary for bottlenose dolphins, manatees and howler monkeys. It has more than 300 recorded bird species. Forts in nearby hills are rich in artifacts.
Other areas such as Cuernavaca, only about a one-hour bus ride from the Mexico City airport, are also touting the local museums, gardens, parks and overall ideal climate.
The Mexico Tourism Board set up in 1999 combines public and private interests. It is funded by a tourist tax of $15 for each person coming into the country. That raised $60 million last year for promotion.
“Our work as a tourism board is to multiply every single dollar,” said Alfonso Sumano, director of the Mexican Tourism Board office in Houston.
He points out that roadway air transportation has improved, and so has roadway infrastructure. A new highway links the colonial capital of Morelia and the Pacific resort of Ixtapa.
“You can now easily do a combination of colonial culture and the beach,” said Mr Sumano.
Report by David Wilkening
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