Concludes the operation Toca Puertas in Phoenix, which promotes the Sonora-Arizona tourist region

Operation Toca Puertas, in Phoenix, Arizona, concluded with great success, after the series of meetings with businessmen and state authorities that the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Miguel Torruco Marqués, accompanied by the General Consul of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, held with the purpose of consolidating the Sonora-Arizona mega region as an international destination, through the development of tourism products, investments and promotion.

The head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), and the delegation that accompanied him during the tour, presented the economic impact of tourism in this mega-region before the members of the Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL). Only in 2023, 804 thousand 819 seats are scheduled from Phoenix to Mexico, in 5 thousand 587 flights; and of which an economic benefit of 737 million 171 thousand dollars is estimated.

Torruco Marqués was an honorary witness to the signing of the Letter of Intent carried out by the Governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, and the Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, with which both entities committed to promote the mega region.

During the meeting with authorities and representatives of the Arizona Office of Tourism and the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the steps to follow in terms of promoting the Arizona-Sonora mega-region as an international tourist destination were defined.

Also, a meeting was held with 15 Arizona state legislators at the state Capitol, where a productive dialogue was established with the purpose of analyzing ways of collaboration, through initiatives that promote cross-border tourism activity. It was proposed to create a binational tourism committee, among other strategies that strengthen the promotion of tourism to the mega region.

The representatives and senators showed their willingness so that, from their area of ​​competence, generate the actions that allow the development of the tourist activity, for the benefit of the communities on both sides of the border.

The Secretary of Tourism toured Chase Field, accompanied by Derrick Hall, President and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks; team managers; as well as leaders of the state sports sector; where they held an Analysis Table, in which they presented the options that will support the promotion of sports tourism, through the exchange of good practices based on the results of the main events that each party organizes.

Also, he held a meeting with Marisol Vindiola, Multicultural Director of Visit Tucson, Todd Hanley, founder of the Agave Heritage Festival, among other members, founders and directors of this important festival, with the purpose of joining the promotion effort of the mega region; as well as sharing good practices through this important event that promotes one of the most emblematic drinks of our country internationally.

As part of the work tour of Operation Toca Puertas in Phoenix, the Secretary of Tourism and the Mexican delegation held a press conference with the main media outlets of the state and the city, to whom he detailed the actions undertaken by Sectur to encourage the arrival of tourists and economic benefits, as instructed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and thus comply with his instruction to make tourism a tool for social reconciliation; as evidenced by the creation of the mega region with Sonora and Arizona.

Torruco Marqués and the members of the delegation promptly addressed each of the concerns of the journalists, and their messages will let the audience of this state know that the destinations, new products, but above all the warmth of the Mexican, are ready to receive them. and make them enjoy memorable experiences.

By specifying that Operation Door Knocks in Phoenix was successful, the Secretary of Tourism highlighted the excellent relationship that exists between Arizona and Mexico, which will now be closer. “The purpose of this tour is to strengthen tourism in this region for the benefit of both economies. Mexico and the United States are neighbors, strategic partners, as well as a strong friendship."

For the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, Operation Door Knocks in this city was very fruitful since it establishes the line of collaboration between the two states in tourism, to reinforce and define the vision of both governors in the collaboration for the promotion of the mega region worldwide. He reiterated the commitment of the consulate general that he heads to strengthen existing relationships and create new links with the players in the tourism industry.

On her occasion, Lisa Urias, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, emphasized that, for the entity, these meetings were very important, since Mexico is Arizona's main partner. “The secretary's visit is very important, we are very happy with everything that was achieved. Our main objective these days was tourism, however, this is the beginning to promote other sectors such as health and education, ”she declared.

For his part, the Secretary of Tourism of Sonora, Roberto Gradillas Pineda, declared that the tour was very important because the participating states promoted their products and destinations. He especially thanked Secretary Torruco Marqués for promoting this agenda that allows him to promote his entity; Well, during Operation Toca Puertas, the Letter of Intent was signed, through which it was agreed to work together in this mega region and promote both states.

The business sector played a relevant role in this work tour, to develop together with the authorities, the actions that generate more promotion and tourist product; as well as encourage the flow of travelers and economic benefits.

Héctor Tejada Shaar, president of Concanaco Servytur, emphasized that participating in this tour made it possible to promote the tools available to the Confederation, which are available not only to Arizona, but also to the United States and the world. He indicated that the organization he chairs has more than one million members and represents 4.8 million economic units, so it represents great growth potential for the region.

For the president of AMAV Nacional, Felipe Cervantes Vega, the Operation Toca Puertas format is successful, since it allows contact with authorities and companies that would otherwise be very difficult to meet with. He highlighted that the great advantage is, in addition to presenting the product, formalizing relationships and commercial alliances.

Meanwhile Neiyarit López, manager SR. of Sales and Market Development in Mexico and the United States of Volaris, pointed out that the Toca Puertas tour is one of the strongest tourism promotion exercises, in which Volaris participated as an official airline with a very productive and profitable agenda, in which It was agreed to work on the growth and strengthening of connectivity and tourism.

On the Operation Toca Puertas tour in Phoenix, they accompanied the head of Sectur, Humberto Hernández Haddad, Undersecretary of Tourism; Emmanuel Rey, General Director of Promotion and International Affairs; Juan Enrique Suárez del Real Tostado, president of Asetur and Secretary of Tourism of Nayarit; Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez, Secretary of Tourism of Baja California; Maricarmen Martínez Villarreal, Secretary of Tourism of Nuevo León; Roberto Gradillas Pineda, Secretary of Tourism of Sonora; Karla Córdova González, municipal president of Guaymas; Nidia Elizabeth Rivera Delgado, Director of Tourism for Puerto Peñasco.

Also in attendance were Rebeca Bravo, president of the Cancun Downtown Hotels Committee; Edgar García Domínguez, president of AMAV subsidiary CDMX; Julio César Rascón Torres, Vice President of ANTOMEX; Francisco Javier Laso Castro, president of the AMHMSON; María Luisa Yunez, USA Commercial Leader, of Volaris; Ricardo Segovia Gasque and Roberto Cantú from Grupo Médico Costamed; Mauricio Moreno, director of Azabache Airlines and Tourist Circuits; among others.