Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués, highlighted the importance of tourism in the LGBTQ+ segment, which represents 35 million travelers and an estimated income of $218 billion USD.
He pointed out that since 2019, through the alliance with Queer Destination, the First National Strategy for LGBTQ+ Tourism was launched through which work is done with 13 destinations and 12,500 trained tourism service providers.
He indicated that the alliance is working to democratize the benefits of tourism for Mexicans, reduce the inequality of the population historically discriminated against, and strengthen the diversification of the country’s tourism offer.
In this sense, the head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) highlighted the First National Strategy for LGBTQ+ Tourism that was launched through the alliance with Queer Destinations in 2019, through which specific actions have been promoted to serve this niche, one of the most economically generated worldwide.
When meeting with Oriol Pamies, CEO of Queer Destinations, they agreed on the importance of LGBTQ+ tourism since it represents more than 35 million travelers worldwide, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Torruco Marqués also indicated that it contributes to diversifying tourist activity and detonating the economic flow in the 235 places with a tourist vocation, allowing the benefits to reach the communities and complying with the instruction of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to make tourism a social reconciliation tool.
He pointed out that since 2019, Sectur established this strategic alliance with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and Queer Destinations with the purpose of democratizing the benefits of tourism for Mexicans, reducing the inequality of the population historically discriminated against and strengthening diversification. of the country’s tourist offer.
“The foregoing has allowed Mexico, as a destination, to advance in the certification of governments and tourism companies in order to provide security and quality care to the traveler in this market niche as well as comfortable, dignified spaces free of all discrimination,” he commented.
The Secretary of Tourism stressed that the joint work between the government and the private sector includes training for destinations, hotels and service providers, the promotion of the segment, the development of specialized products, and the creation of international alliances.
He pointed out that Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, has been the first destination in Mexico to receive the Queer Destinations accreditation. And hand-in-hand with municipal, state and federal authorities and various actors in the tourism field, Sectur and this international company work with 12 more destinations.
These being the states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Puebla, Oaxaca, Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Sonora, Hidalgo and Mexico City as well as Mazatlán and Huatulco.
The CEO of Queer Destinations, Oriol Pamies, highlighted the work undertaken by Sectur, as a pioneer in the development of national tourism strategies focused on the LGBTQ+ segment, and stressed that Mexico is an example in this important market niche.
The head of Sectur recalled that within the framework of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) 2023, held in Madrid, Spain, the agency under his charge was recognized for the promotion of the First National Strategy for LGBTQ+ Tourism by Queer Destinations.
He commented that the recognition was granted for his involvement, participation, responsibility and development of this strategy, which reflects the commitment to the community that integrates this important tourist segment.
He also added that within the framework of FITUR, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, headed by María Reyes Maroto, signed an agreement with which it follows in the footsteps of Mexico in the reception of tourists from the LGBTQ+ segment through a model of responsible, sustainable and appropriate work to the needs and trends of the sector in the tourism market.
