The Mexico Tourism Board announced that the number of
Canadian tourists in Mexico for the January-August 2009 period has increased
by 9% in comparison with 2008 (source: Bank of Mexico).
Despite the world?s economic difficulties, Mexico?s
tourism sector keeps growing. Between January and August 2009, 855,873 Canadian
tourists visited Mexico,
up from 784,968 in
2008. Several factors contributed to this Canadian "exodus." Particularly bad
weather in Canada in 2009 was surely the main motivation for many Canadians
in seeking out their favourite destinations in Mexico, namely Riviera Maya,
Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Los Cabos, Huatulco, and Acapulco.
Secondly, the value of the Mexican peso compared with the Canadian dollar,
combined with good travel deals for the summer period, made travel to Mexico
quite affordable for many Canadians.
Alfonso Sumano, regional director of the Mexico Tourism
Board in Canada,
commented that ??at the MTB, we are very satisfied by the response of
Canadians visiting our destinations, particularly on this challenging year
and we will continue to encourage travellers to visit our amazing country. Mexico is thankful for the unconditional
support given by Canadians and hopes that they will set a new record this
year for travel to Mexico."
Indeed, Mexico
boasts some incredible hidden activities and destinations. The country offers
a plethora of divine beaches at the Sea
of Cortes, the Pacific Ocean, the
Golf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Canadian tourists moreover enjoy eye-opening culinary and cultural
experiences as well as high-quality services and impressive archaeological
sites. For example, Mexico?s
29 unique historic sites, included on UNESCO?s World Heritage List, represent
a strong attraction for Canadians. In recent years, the Mexican government
has succeeded in restoring and protecting the country?s tremendous heritage.
Thus, tourists come back home fulfilled, inspired, as well as relaxed.
The year 2009 is far from over and the Mexico Tourism
Board trusts Canadians to break their record of visitors for this year.
The Mexico
Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state
governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's
tourism attractions and destinations nationally and internationally. Created
in 1999, the MTB is Mexico?s
tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the
private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America,
Europe, Asia and Latin America.
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For
additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information
about Mexico,
please contact the MTB?s Canadian Press Room directly at 1-866-895-5297, by
e-mail at canadianpress@visitmexico.com, or visit our Press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com. To access
an online warehouse of free, downloadable b-roll, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/visitmexicopress
