4 November 2009: The Mexico Tourism Board announces
details of its 2010 marketing programme at World Travel Market this year.
This year?s theme at WTM showcases Mexican Season, which launched in
September 2009 and will run until February 2010 ? pre-empting the bicentenary
of Mexican independence. Current UK
tourism figures show that already Mexico has
attracted just under 172,000 visitors (Jan-Aug 2009). Cancun remains
the most popular destination for the UK
traveller (127,463 visitors Jan-Aug 09), with Mexico
City and its surrounding region in second
place (25,293 visitors). Results show Britons increasingly choosing to
explore a more city-based and cultural side of Mexico and
demonstrate the success of the tourism board's promotional campaign,
showcasing Mexico's
heritage.
Claire
Knill from tour operator Black Tomato has gauged similar levels of
interest: "We love Mexico and more importantly, so do our clients.
Despite some challenging times earlier in the year, the destination has
bounced back stronger than ever which is testament to the people of this
great country and the rest of the world?s affection for what is arguably one
of the most exciting and diverse travel experiences. With interest and
request levels higher than ever, Mexico is very much leading the way into 2010".
Likewise
Rafe Stone from Journey Latin America reports an increase in enquiries
for Mexican travel: "Mexico is offering great value for money. The
hotels are offering lots of great rates and special deals
which is bound to attract interest....Airfares and ground prices seem
to have either improved or remained similar."
Nikki
White, ABTA?s Head of Destination Strategy and Services sums up a positive
outlook for Mexico: "We want to work with Mexico on a range of sustainability projects.
The Mexican Tourism Board and tour operators already support a number of
Travel Foundation projects which help local people to benefit from tourism as
well as helping to protect the environment, and encourage biodiversity. We
look forward to continued support for these important initiatives."
Highlights
from Mexican Season included: Moctezuma II ? Mexican Ruler at The British
Museum - which is still on-going and has been described by The Times as
"Autumn?s biggest show". This was accompanied by a series of lectures that
feature ?cultural? Mexico. The
Mexico Tourism Board also enlisted one of Mexico's
leading chefs, Monica Patiño, to be at Fortnum & Mason in London where
she undertook a Mole cookery demonstration and created a number of authentic
dishes to be featured on a special menu. Fortnum & Mason also hosted two
very successful Tequila Masterclasses with Andy Pearson, eminent UK
mixologist. In early October Borough Market hosted a two day Marisqueria
(traditional Mexican seafood market) offering Londoners free samples of
Mexican food.
The
event was also attended by Monica Patiño (pictured above ? second right ?
with Juan José Bremer the Mexican Ambassador to London ? far left - and
Manuel Diaz Cebrian, UK and Europe director of the Mexico Tourism Board ? far
right).
Forthcoming
events for Mexican Season include an art exhibition at The Manchester Arts
Gallery; The Southbank Chocolate Festival in London; The
Iberoamerican Book Fair in London; and
a number of screenings of Mexican film at The British Museum as well as a
continuation of its lectures on Mexican culture and social
history. Alongside this The Mexico Tourism Board has already secured
plans for promotional activity at Harrods in London as
well as various exhibitions within the TATE Modern.
Manuel Diaz Cebrian, Regional Director
for Europe at the Mexico Tourism Board: "We feel that British holiday-makers are
starting to really explore Mexico and hopefully our Mexican Season campaign will lure them to
book more holidays to our country. We are firmly positioned as a year-round
"sunshine and beach" destination but since British tourist are looking for
new and unique experiences our heritage offer new possibilities to explore
and enjoy Mexico."
-Ends-
Editors Notes:
The
official opening of The Mexico Tourism Board?s WTM stand will be at 12.30pm on Monday 9
November. The opening has been scheduled for 12:30 and there will be traditional
Mexican music (mariachis) snacks and drinks. Exhibitors on the Mexico stand
include specialist tour operators such as Yucatan Land of Wonders; Adventures
Mexico; Avitur-Mexico; Baja Expeditions; and Maya Quest.
ABOUT THE MEXICO TOURISM BOARD
The Mexico Tourism Board, legally
known as Consejo de Promoción Turística de México, S.A. de C.V., is a
Government agency whose objective is to design and operate the
country?s tourist promotion strategy domestically and internationally,
working alongside tourism industry partners. http://www.visitmexico.com
FOR PRESS
ONLY:
For more ideas, support with news or general information on Mexican
tourism and Mexico,
