Armando Manzanero museum opens in Mexico

The Secretary of Tourism of Mexico Miguel Torruco Marqués and the Governor of Yucatán Mauricio Vila Dosal inaugurated the “Museo Casa Manzanero” in Mérida together with the famous singer-songwriter from this state, who for decades has placed Mexico in the international showcase through of his music.

The head of Sectur affirmed that one of the main objectives of the current federal government in terms of tourism is to increase the income of foreign exchange and the per capita expenditure of international visitors who come to our country, areas in which last year Mexico occupied the sites 17 and 37, respectively, globally.

He argued that, to face this challenge, it is necessary to extend the stay of tourists, offering more and better tourism products, in accordance with the expectations and requirements of an increasingly demanding and informed visitor, who seeks interesting and novel attractions, and not remain captive in a single place, far from the natural beauties, culture and traditions of the destination visited.

He added that, however, the offer of a tourist destination is not only constituted by the sum of products, but by their proper integration and commercialization. And in that sense, the federal Tourism Secretariat has initiated an intense crusade focused on the development and regional integration of the tourism product, to make Mexico a more competitive country, at the height of its potential, and always thinking that the benefits of the tourist activity permeate the local population.

With that purpose, the secretary Torruco Marqués has met with all the governors and their respective heads of Tourism, as well as with investors and presidents of Chambers, Associations, Confederations and Tourist Organizations, so that each state develops an "Anchor" product and, Based on this, configure complementary tourist circuits that detonate the economy of the square, the entity and the region.

“A good example of a consolidated“ Anchor ”product is this“ Museo Casa Manzanero ”, which represents a joint effort of the state government and investors José Antonio Chapur Zahoul and Víctor Manuel Abraham Palomo. Without a doubt, it will be a space that will preserve and disseminate the artistic talent and sensitivity of one of the greatest composers of our time, ”he said.

It is a new tourist product, a high-tech and multisensory immersion museum, where visitors can learn about the life and work of Armando Manzanero, so it is a well-deserved tribute to the creator of numerous songs that are part of the cultural heritage of Yucatan, Mexico and the world.

"Through his compositions, Armando Manzanero has become a true promoter of our country, taking his songs, and with them the name of Mexico, all over the planet," said the head of Sectur.

He pointed out that the policy of regionalization and integration of the tourist product carried out by the federal Sectur, will be extended to the entire country, to avoid that 85 percent of international tourism that arrives in Mexico continues to be concentrated in only six tourist places: Cancun, Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta.

For his part, Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal highlighted the teacher Armando Manzanero Canché as a Yucatecan model who has raised the name of Yucatán, which fills all Yucatecans with pride.

"This museum is a sign of great respect and admiration, not only because he is one of the most talented and outstanding artists in the entire country, but also because of his willingness to help and quality as a person," he said.

On behalf of the Yucatecans, the governor thanked the singer-songwriter for his work and recognized his dedication, life and legacy, “which is a magnet that will help attract more and more visitors, but also to specify the identity of Yucatán. Without a doubt, Yucatán is grateful, it is his home and here we value and recognize him for his great career ", added Vila Dosal.

Finally, he reiterated his willingness to continue working hand in hand with all levels of government and private initiative to face together the complicated situation that Yucatán is experiencing due to the Coronavirus pandemic and so that the Yucatecans can move forward.

Armando Manzanero expressed: “how good that in these times authors are being recognized, especially living authors. It is very important because I know that sometimes they know who sings it about the song, but they do not know who composes it ”.

He recalled that someone said that gratitude is the memory of the heart “and I want to tell you that always, today more than ever, I am very grateful to my people, to all that great conglomerate of composers and music that Yucatán has. Music is the best memory you can carry in your pocket ”.

Michelle Fridman Hirsch, Secretary of Tourism for Tourism Development of Yucatan, said that this state is internationally known for the vast tourist offer that houses, from its gastronomy, the vestiges of the archaeological sites of the Mayans, the mixture of cultures of the colonization and for being, in addition, the cradle of great troubadour artists, for which he highlighted that the "Museo Casa Manzanero" exposes a cultural awareness in honor of the great legacy of maestro Armando Manzanero, embracing the visitor in an educational experience and a multi-sensory-emotional exploration , without precedents.

"It is a trend of avant-garde museology, an essential tourist landmark and a proposal for innovation, modernity and technology that is experienced in Mérida," he said.

The hotel businessman José Chapur Zahoul, one of the investors in the creation of the museum, stated that in Yucatan tourism is one of the essential activities for the economy, so his intention is that there be a longer stay of tourists than they visit.

"I thank the state government for their participation in this event, and I want to tell them that I am pleasantly surprised by the final product and that today we are going to inaugurate it, precisely with the author of the museum, Mr. Armando Manzanero and his life story."

Also present at the inauguration were Francisco Fernández Alonso, president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac); Laura Elena Villa, wife of Armando Manzanero; and the singers Carlos Cuevas and Jorge Muñiz, among other special guests.