Nuevo León, a land full of history, culture and spectacular landscapes, is seeing its five Magical Towns – Bustamante, Santiago, General Terán, Linares and General Zaragoza – sink into oblivion.
What should be a driving force of tourism and economic development for the Mexican state has become a lost opportunity, a product of the lack of effective strategies by the state Tourism Secretariat.
It is a real scandal that these unique destinations, with their gastronomic wealth, natural landscapes and vibrant traditions, are not promoted as they deserve.
Where are the campaigns that should be positioning Bustamante as a benchmark for local gastronomy? Why does Santiago, with its impressive La Boca dam and natural beauty, not attract hordes of visitors? It is inconceivable that General Terán, Linares and General Zaragoza, with their stories and charm, remain almost invisible to tourists.
The absence of a solid promotion plan not only affects the state’s image, but also condemns these towns and their inhabitants to economic inactivity. Local businesses, which depend on tourism, languish while other regions of Mexico benefit from successful promotion programs. Nuevo León has everything to be a national reference in tourism, but the lack of action is pushing these Magical Towns to the brink of tourist disappearance.
Nuevo León
Citizens deserve more. The inhabitants of these towns must have the opportunity to see their communities flourish, receive visitors and share their cultural wealth with the world. The Ministry of Tourism must take immediate measures to revitalize these destinations and ensure that their legacy is not buried in the shadows. It is time to act!
Informal lodging: A threat to the hotel industry in Nuevo León
The hotel industry in Nuevo León is facing an unprecedented crisis. The rise of informal lodging platforms such as Airbnb is destroying the market, leaving organized hotels in a critical position. While informal lodging is growing at an alarming rate of 18%, the traditional hotel sector is barely achieving 4% growth. This panorama is not only alarming, but deeply unfair.
Hotels, which operate under strict regulations and offer quality services, are threatened by unfair competition that does not meet the same standards. Is it fair that informal lodging platforms can operate without accountability or guaranteeing security? This not only harms hoteliers, but also tourists, who, attracted by lower prices, often end up facing security and service risks.
The problem is not minor. Each new informal lodging property that enters the market undermines the jobs of thousands of people who depend on the hotel industry. From receptionists to cleaning staff, everyone sees their livelihoods endangered while informal platforms continue to grow unchecked.
It is urgent that the authorities take action on the matter. The regulation of informal lodging is vital to protect the quality, safety and equity of the tourism market in Nuevo León. The question is: how long will they wait to act?
Returning home becomes a journey full of fear and insecurity
Returning home during the Christmas season, a time full of excitement and family warmth, has become a terrifying experience for countrymen who cross the roads of Nuevo León. The growing insecurity on the state’s roads has sown fear among those who are only looking to reunite with their loved ones.
The testimonies are heartbreaking: entire families who, instead of preparing their return with joy, do so with fear. “It is a huge risk to travel on the roads,” says a mother. “We don’t know if we will arrive safely.” This panorama of uncertainty not only affects countrymen, but also local tourism, crucial to the state’s economy. What will happen if the fear of violence drives away visitors?
The lack of security on the roads can no longer be ignored. Each incident of violence, each assault, not only endangers lives, but also damages Nuevo León’s reputation as a safe destination. It is imperative that the authorities reinforce surveillance and restore peace of mind to families and tourists traveling through the state.
Our countrymen deserve to return home with joy and not with fear. It is time for the authorities to demonstrate their commitment to security and restore confidence in the roads of Nuevo León. The magic of Christmas cannot be overshadowed by the shadow of insecurity.
Source: caribbeannewsdigital
