By David
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA ) + Queer Destinations (QD) + SECTUR (Secretary of Tourism of Mexico) have developed a pilot program and strategies to develop and consolidate new LGBTQ destinations. Mexico was chosen above Colombia, South Africa, Thailand and other top countries to start the program.
According to Oriol Pamies (QD founder) México was chosen due its infrastructure, flight connectivity and its wide range offer of products with value, the winner combination. Mexico has a real interesting in developing its full potential as a LGBTQ destination, even when Mexico is not new to this market, just check out the well consolidated international gay destinations like Vallarta, Mexico City, Guadalajara or even Riviera Maya.
Federal Tourism Secretary (SECTUR) Miguel Torruco did an approach to IGLTA to develop strategies to strength and expand the LGTBT destinations in Mexico. The goal is in line with this government administration public agenda to attend minorities such as 50+, LGBTQ, indigenous and disabled people, and then increasing the quality (but not necessarily the quantity) flow of tourists.
Miguel Torruco, Federal Tourism Secretary and Oriol Pamies, General Director of Queer Destinantions. / Foto: Publimetro
Oriol quoted the 2018´s number of total LGBTQ tourist worldwide as big as 180 million, while Mexico is only receiving 2.9 million, remarking in all the potential customers a destination can aim for.
The purpose of the program is to help the tourism industry to offer experiences and services with outstanding qualities and implementing policies and process for diversity and respect. First phase of the program includes training and certification for the private industry.
The first destination within Mexico to run the program is Yucatan, which was suggested due its enormous potential. But Yucatan did not start from cero, even before Mexico was chosen by the IGLTA, Yucatan Tourism Secretary (SEFOTUR) had approaching Queer Destinations looking for collaboration to place Yucatan in the gay eye.
Queer Destinations with the help of SEFOTUR are coordinating the program registrations. The invitation is open to the entire private tourism industry looking to deliver added value to their experiences and services targeting on the LGBTQ segment. The investment for the certification of each company ranges between $ 9,565 – $ 70,000 Mexican pesos depending on the number of employees. Its important to say the certification is backed by SECTUR Federal, and includes a 2-year membership of the IGLTA, with all the benefits of this big network.
For more information, you can contact:
- Oriol Pamies – QueerDestinations: oriol@queerdestinations.com
Or
- Jorge Abraham Rocha – SEFOTUR: jorge.rocha@yucatan.gob.mx
To learn more about the agreement of IGLTA and Mexico click here:
