Torruco Marqués, asserted that to address the negative impacts that tourism activity can generate, in the current administration the traditional tourism model was transformed into one that promotes social inclusion, decent employment, effective management of natural resources, environmental protection, prevention of climate change, preservation of cultural values and regionalization; In other words, we moved towards sustainable tourism.
When inaugurating the Future Destination Forum, organized by the magazine Travesías, which in this edition focused on sustainable tourism, the head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) stated that tourist activity is dynamic and in direct contact with its environment, for which means that the risk of environmental deterioration, overexploitation of natural resources, degradation, loss of biodiversity, transculturation of the population, among others, is always latent.
He indicated that, for this reason, it has become imperative to generate a new model of tourism development that satisfies the demands of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
Torruco Marqués said that, in this sense, the Secretariat in charge within the Tourism Sector Program 2020–2024 established as one of its four priority objectives: Promote sustainable tourism in the national territory; So the Sustainable Mexico Renace Strategy was implemented, which consists of the creation of tourist circuits of social well-being and harmony with nature, where towns and communities linked to tourist activity are integrated, without affecting their biocultural process.
He noted that among the relevant projects that have yielded successful results is Kuxatur, which means “living tourism,” and whose objective is the conservation of biodiversity in coastal ecosystems, through the design and implementation of innovative sustainable tourism policies and models.
He specified that this initiative is being worked on in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, with financing of 7.2 million dollars from the Global Environment Fund (GEF), and is applied in the La Paz-Sierra corridor. La Laguna, and Los Cabos, in Baja California Sur; the Huatulco–Chacahua corridor, in Oaxaca; and the Mayan Ka'an region, in Quintana Roo.
The Secretary of Tourism added that another project is Adaptur, focused on the implementation of adaptation measures to climate change, which had the valuable participation of the private sector and benefited 6 destinations: Riviera Nayarit-Jalisco; Riviera Maya, in Quintana Roo; San Miguel de Allende, in Guanajuato; Valle de Bravo, in the State of Mexico; Los Cabos, in Baja California Sur; and Mexico City.
He highlighted that this project had financing of 5 million euros, granted by the German Agency for Cooperation for Sustainable Development (GIZ), and made it possible to reduce the risk in populations and tourist developments in the face of climate impacts, managing to influence programs and policies. public at the national and state level.
The head of Sectur highlighted that in 2019 a Tourist Load Capacity Study was prepared in the places where the Mayan Train will pass, as well as on María Madre Island of the Marías Islands archipelago; both with the purpose of determining the number of visits that each location can receive, considering its physical and biological conditions, as well as waste management, in order not to affect existing resources.
He also detailed the Community and Sustainable Tourism strategy in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which is carried out in coordination with the Secretariats of Tourism of Oaxaca and Veracruz, municipal governments, indigenous communities and other key actors, whose purpose is to consolidate the region as a Relevant community tourism destination in the country, generator of social well-being and development of its population.
“One more of the efforts made by the Ministry of Tourism in favor of sustainability is the promotion of badges such as Blue Flag and Green Key”, in coordination with the Foundation for Environmental Education Mexico (FEE),” he commented.
Torruco Marqués explained that the Blue Flag distinction seeks to raise awareness among tourists and residents about the importance of ecosystems, particularly coastal ones, and is awarded to beaches, marinas and tourist boats, for their excellence in environmental management, safety, services and water quality.
He pointed out that Mexico occupies first place in America and tenth worldwide, in Blue Flag sites; and when it comes to certified tourist boats, we are in the first global position.
In turn, Green Key seeks to raise awareness and create awareness among guests, hotel staff and suppliers about caring for the natural environment. Mexico holds ninth place in the world and first in America in hotels with this recognition.
The Secretary of Tourism stressed that in the current administration, sustainable tourism is a priority, and a tool for social reconciliation, as instructed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
“We will always seek to minimize negative impacts on the environment and maximize benefits to communities. Remember that the nations that best care for and protect their environment, and preserve their historical, cultural and gastronomic identity, will be the ones that will participate in the economic and social benefits of the exciting world of tourism in the years to come,” concluded Torruco Marqués.
The inauguration of the Future Destination Forum included the participation of Nathalie Desplas Puel, Secretary of Tourism of Mexico City; Maria Pellicer, general director of Travesías; Rodrigo Rizzi, general manager of The St. Regis México City; Gilberto Salcedo Ribero, vice president of Tourism of Procolombia; Gustavo Guzmán Favela, CEO of Capital Digital; among others.