Sectur reaffirms its commitment to discrimination-free and inclusive tourism for the LGBTTTQI+ population
Currently, seven Mexican destinations have the Queer Destinations Committed distinction, and four more are in the process of obtaining it
In the context of the commemoration of International LGBTTTQI+ Pride Day, celebrated every June 28, the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, reaffirmed the commitment of the agency she leads to tourism that is free of discrimination, safe, respectful, and inclusive.
In this context, he highlighted the actions carried out as part of the agreement signed with Queer Destinations, with the goal of positioning Mexico as a leader in LGBTQ+ tourism through safe and inclusive destinations that boost the national economy.
Among these actions, the presentation of the Hospitality Meets Diversity course stands out. This course expands the Ministry of Tourism's (Sectur) training offerings in this segment and addresses topics such as intersectional diversity, internal inclusive practices, visual language, accessibility, and more.
He also reported that the tourism secretaries of 26 states that do not yet have certification, as well as a large group of tourism service providers, were encouraged to participate in the awareness-raising talk "The Potential of LGBTQ+ Tourism in the Current Social Context," with the aim of training both public servants and members of the private sector.
He explained that Mexico currently has seven destinations that hold the Queer Destinations Committed designation: Los Cabos, Mexico City, Yucatán, Oaxaca, Acapulco, Nayarit, and Baja California. He also mentioned that Isla Mujeres, Holbox, Acapulco, and Sonora are in the process of obtaining it.
He explained that this distinction is awarded to destinations and companies that demonstrate a commitment to the inclusion and safety of this population segment, after completing a training and adaptation process designed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all travelers.
Rodríguez Zamora noted that, according to UN Tourism, 3.5 million LGBTQI+ tourists visit our country annually, generating an estimated economic impact of $7.8 billion, equivalent to 10 percent of national tourism revenue. He added that this segment spends 60 percent more than the average, and that its market is growing at a rate of 10.3 percent annually.
He explained that the destinations with the greatest influx in this sector are Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Acapulco, San Miguel de Allende, Veracruz, Riviera Nayarit, and Michoacan.
He explained that Mexico is the country with the second most LGBTQI+ pride events in the world, with Mexico City, Cancún-Playa del Carmen-Tulum, Guadalajara, and Puerto Vallarta leading the annual celebration agenda for this community.
He emphasized that the tourism sector has significantly contributed to increased acceptance over the last decade, thanks to the innovation of tourism products and the ongoing training of members of the value chain, especially in human rights, in the face of resistance to discriminatory practices in various destinations.
In this context, and as part of the actions promoted by the Ministry of Tourism in favor of diversity and inclusion, the head of the Tourism Information and Policy Unit, Nathalie Desplas Puel, on behalf of Secretary Josefina Rodríguez, led the panel Tourism with Pride, organized by Mariana Díaz Maxil, General Director of Professionalization and Competitiveness, and Marcela Camacho Lozano, General Director of Tourism Product Innovation, on the occasion of the commemoration of International LGBTTTQI+ Pride Day.
With the participation of Canal Once host and activist “Gigi Grande,” activist Antonio Martínez Velázquez, and Arturo Delgado, owner of an annual gallery in Mexico City, Desplas Puel reiterated the importance of making tourism an activity “where no one is left behind and no one is left out” and stressed the need to continue consolidating Mexico as a destination where there is no distinction in care and services, promoting an environment of rights, tolerance, respect, and safety for all people.
“That Mexican hospitality should be reflected in every segment of tourism, and the LGBTTTQI+ segment is extraordinarily important and demonstrates loyalty,” he commented.
Source: SECTUR.