The Yucatan Tourism Observatory was established in 2018 to generate and manage information on tourism development. This work has identified key challenges and opportunities and therefore led to the design of relevant policies aimed at supporting the overall sustainable development of the destination, thus increasing its competitiveness. Joining the INSTO Network will help Yucatan to manage tourism development in a responsible and sustainable manner, adopting a holistic vision in the development of appropriate and innovative strategies to "rethink" tourism.
UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “At this time of rethinking tourism, measurement is increasingly important as it provides a better understanding of where a destination is and where it wants to go. The INSTO network provides the opportunity to work together to ensure that tourism is a tool that contributes to sustainable development. We are very happy to welcome Yucatán as a new member”.
Green and sustainable future plans for tourism in Yucatan
Yucatan is home to the Mayans, has an extensive coastline, is mostly covered by forests, jungles, and has numerous cenotes, sinkholes created by collapsed limestone rocks that expose groundwater. This and other tourist resources attracted 2.1 million tourists who stayed overnight in 2019, two thirds of them national tourists. Tourism GDP represents 11.1% of the total GDP of Yucatan. According to the vision of the Secretary of Tourism of the State of Yucatán (SEFOTUR) "In 2030 tourism is widely recognized as a key sector that benefits Yucatecan society, and conduct tourism development in consensus with the actors of the industry and with a full insertion of society in the benefits of tourism”. Among the environmental priorities are climate action, restoration and conservation of ecosystems,
The Yucatan Secretary of Tourism, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, said: "We are very pleased to have signed up to the UNWTO INSTO network, as we become the second Observatory in Mexico to be part of this network, which will allow us to assess better the impact of tourism in Yucatan and contribute with better data to global sustainable tourism”.
The Yucatan Tourism Observatory will monitor the 11 mandatory INSTO key areas for tourism sustainability: tourism seasonality, employment, economic benefits of the destination, energy management, water management, wastewater management, solid waste management, climate action, accessibility, satisfaction local and governance.