Tianguis called a success

The Tianguis Turistico – Mexico’s biggest trade show – ended on Wednesday with Tourism Minister Gloria Guevara calling it even more successful than anticipated. More buyers arrived than had been expected. The Tianguis is organized so that foreign buyers of tourism services and domestic suppliers can meet together in one place. In 2009, the flu scare – which devastated the travel industry – had just begun. Restaurants and bars closed and, to make matters worse, a mid-day earthquake rattled the exhibition area, although it did no damage.

This year the recently-appointed tourism minister called for more promotion of what she calls cultural tourism, emphasizing the Mexico is more than a beach. Others have said this before, but according to tour operators, what most vacationers want is a beach.

By Jimm Budd