Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Ministry of Tourism of the Government of Mexico (Sectur) and the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) presented a joint agenda.
Their agenda consist of strategic initiatives to strengthen gastronomic tourism, as well as the incorporation of the Michelin Guide as part of Mexico’s Gastronomic Public Policy.
During the meeting, the Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, highlighted the role of Mexican cuisine as an engine of economic development, cultural identity and tourist positioning with a vision focused on regional growth, professionalization of the sector and strengthening of the value chain.
“Today, gastronomy is becoming a reason to travel. A visitor might take a plane just to experience a destination with high-quality recognition like the Michelin Guide. Thirty percent of a traveler’s spending is on food and when a state joins the Guide, the economic impact can increase by up to 125 percent,” she explained.
Rodríguez Zamora says gastronomy is one of Mexico’s main tourist assets and a key element in generating well-being in communities by linking the countryside, producers, traditional cooks and the restaurant industry with tourist destinations.
As part of the joint Sectur-Canirac agenda, strategic actions were announced that will be reinforced at Fitur 2026 tourism fair. These actions include the holding of an International Taco Competition, as well as the consolidation of the gastronomic zone of the Tianguis Turístico 2026 with an orderly participation of the federal entities and a message aligned with the national tourism policy.
Ignacio Alarcón Rodríguez Pacheco, the national president of Canirac, said that the Mexican restaurant industry generates more than 2 million direct jobs and represents the main source of work for one in five young people in the country.
He pointed out that the sector has a direct impact on the entire production chain, from the field to the table, and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to innovation, culinary excellence and strengthening the sector.
“The Michelin Guide is a prestigious award worldwide. It has come to Mexico through negotiations by Canirac. Today we have six selected states and more than 180 recognized restaurants, demonstrating the country’s commitment to gastronomic excellence,” he explained.
Daniela Mijares Martínez, the national vice president of Enlace Guía Michelin, reported that in the 2025 edition, 181 restaurants from Mexico City, Oaxaca, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo and Nuevo León were recognized, maintaining all the awards granted in 2024 and incorporating new establishments with Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand, recommended restaurants and Green Star.
She also highlighted that more and more travelers are using the Michelin Guide as a key reference for planning their trips, choosing destinations and designing travel experiences centered around gastronomy.
In anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, details were given of the “Mexico of My Flavors” project, which will position Mexican gastronomy by representing the different entities of the country through their cooks, emblematic ingredients and traditional drinks, in addition to promoting long-range structural actions.
In this regard, this alliance will promote strategic actions such as strengthening the Mexican Traditional Cuisine Guide, developing digital tools to project regional gastronomy internationally, language and service quality training programs for restaurants in key destinations.
It will also create a Certified Restaurant Distinction aimed at guaranteeing standards of excellence during the World Cup and providing certainty and confidence to visitors.
Fernando Olivera Rocha, Vice President of Tourism at Canirac, pointed out that this joint work agenda, with clear and scheduled objectives, recognizes gastronomy as one of the strategic pillars of tourism in Mexico.
He emphasized that this alliance is the result of coordinated work between the government and industry, with a shared vision that understands Mexican cuisine, both traditional and contemporary, as a key tool for economic development, cultural identity, and the country’s international positioning.
In 2024, Michelin Guide awarded three Quintana Roo restaurants for their excellence. Another four were awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, an award to restaurants that offer high-quality food at a reasonable price, while another 13 restaurants around the state received recommendations.
Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014
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