YUCATAN AIMS FOR NEW “BEST YEAR EVER”
After a tough year for the Mexican state of Yucatán in 2020, the state’s Minister of Tourism, Michelle Fridman, is aiming for a repeat of 2019 – the best year ever for visitor numbers to the destination.
We asked Ms Fridman about the measures Yucatán has put in place to prepare for recovery.
Yucatán has been preparing all measures to be a very safe destination. We’ve developed a very strong certification programme that we have implemented across the whole tourism industry supply chain – from airlines, airports and hotels to transportation services and even remote Mayan communities. To boost tourism recovery, Yucatán will also be hosting the Mexican travel expo, Tianguis Turistico Mexico, in November 2021. It will be a great occasion to showcase our destination. I would like to invite the industry to join us at Tianguis Turistico Mexico.
What new tourism experiences does Yucatán offer?
Yucatán really has amazing diversity in terms of tourism segments. We have business and MICE tourism, gastronomy, culture, nautical tourism and beaches, and we’ve been developing new products and experiences. In fact, in 2019, we developed more than 100 new experiences.
We have 65 million years of history, going back to the meteor that impacted on our peninsula and lead to the extinction of the dinosaurs, so one can find many things to do around our archaeological sites. Among these is Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, but we have other sites, including over 3,000 cenotes – the sacred pools in which the Mayans swam.
Tell us about Yucatán’s gastronomy offer.
We have amazing gastronomy that blends Mayan products with colonial ingredients and techniques. For many years, Yucatán was more connected with Europe than the rest of Mexico, with our gastronomy, architecture and our traditions; a whole blend of experiences.
What are Yucatán’s USPs?
1. Diversity – Yucatán is a very diverse destination, rich of a 65 million-year history and a living Mayan culture. It offers a large array of authentic experiences in the cultural, gastronomy, and adventure segments, etc.
2. Security – It is a very safe destination, and its capital, Merida, is ranked the second safest city in North America after Quebec City.
3. Infrastructure – It’s very easy to get around, with great airport access and excellent roads. Yucatan offers an extraordinary range of accommodation options including 4- and 5-star hotels, many small independent boutique properties and luxury haciendas.
For more information, visit https://yucatan.travel/en/