Tourism is a priority activity for Jalisco as it represents around 9 percent of the state GDP.
To counteract the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat (Secturjal) is promoting the reactivation and economic recovery of the sector with strategic promotional actions in its main markets and segments, including the tourism exhibition of IBTM Mexico meetings, which is taking place today and tomorrow in Mexico City.
“In Jalisco, the economic reactivation must continue without neglecting the health of Jalisco residents and visitors. That is why tourism promotion should not stop because tourism is one of the most important economic activities in the state, which generates around 9% of the state's GDP and a value chain that generates hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” commented the head of the agency, Germán Kotsiras Ralis Cumplido.
During the first semester of 2021, Secturjal has participated in three of the most important tourist fairs in Mexico and abroad, has organized virtual and face-to-face seminars in key cities, and has joined campaigns with cooperatives and in alliance with other actors.
In addition, 8 tradeshows or face-to-face seminars have been held to promote Jalisco destinations in Monterrey, Tijuana, Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Tepic, and in different areas of Mexico City. These meetings have been aimed at professionals and specialists from airlines and travel agencies affiliated with wholesale tour operators.
8 webinars focused on protocols and openings of tourist sites have also been given to allied institutions and companies such as Travel Konnect, the Centro Histórico Hotel Club, Volaris, the University of Ecuador, Copa Airlines, Price Travel, TAR, the Tourism Association of Montevideo, and the Association of Travel Agencies of Uruguay.
Regarding the presence of Jalisco in national and international fairs, in the first semester of 2021 it has participated in 3: Expo Virtual Reactívate México; the Digital Travel Blast Latam & Caribe Virtual Fair, and the ARLAG National Fair in Guadalajara, and also a promotional tour in specialized media in the United States.
In the remainder of the year and due to the greater interest in the potential traveler, face-to-face participation in two important fairs is contemplated: IMEX Las Vegas, United States, from November 9 to 11, and the Tianguis Turístico in Mérida, from November 16 to 19.
As for the IBTM national fair, one of the most important for meeting tourism in the country that takes place in CDMX, Jalisco will hold meetings with potential clients to host congresses, conventions, incentive trips and exhibitions; and will network and offer educational sessions to train the industry.
In this edition there will be a Jalisco pavilion, where the Secturjal participates together with the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta tourism trusts, and tourism service providers such as Expo Guadalajara, the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, Casa Cuervo, and others.
Finally, to promote responsible reactivation during the summer holidays, the Secturjal has joined two promotional campaigns for social networks: “In Verano No te Rajes,” and "Your New Summer."
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secturjal has maintained permanent communication with commercial allies, travel agencies, wholesale operators, airlines and other representatives of the tourism sector to report on the situation of the pandemic in the state, the protocols and current sanitary measures.
In addition, during 2020 it participated in 6 national and international fairs, gave 32 professional webinars for travel agents in Mexico and abroad, and carried out regional and national tourist reactivation campaigns, alliances with cooperatives, among other actions.