The president of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies (AMAV) in Chiapas, Laura Ramírez Matus, revealed that, after talking with various sectors and colleagues, they have come to the conclusion that sales at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 are 50% down compared to operations carried out at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. This decrease, she indicated, is related to the insecurity that has affected the state.
In an interview, Ramírez Matus commented that, despite the drop in tourist demand, travel agencies have been sustained thanks to their ability to diversify their services. “We are not only receptive agencies, but also issuing agencies. We always look for areas of opportunity, such as visa and passport processing, and we promote both national and international tourism, including nature tourism,” she said.
Palenque, Chiapa de Corzo, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Comitán de Domínguez, and Copainalá are some of the most popular destinations in Chiapas. The businesswoman highlighted the importance of exploring the Zoque culture, from Mezcalapa to the Chichonal Volcano, with the aim of encouraging more overnight stays in the capital of Chiapas. “The outlook is encouraging, especially with the results from December 8 to date. With the fight against insecurity, we are seeing a positive response. I believe that, with 100% security, tourism will come on its own,” she added.
Chiapas has enormous tourism potential, with its magical towns, archaeological sites, waterfalls, lakes, coffee-growing areas, living cultures, and its colonial cities. In addition, the region’s gastronomy is a unique attraction, highlighting tamales (at least ten well-known varieties), baked chico, the pre-Hispanic drink pozol, coffee, cocoa, and pepita con tasajo. “No one who comes to the state leaves without trying cachito and pozol. To attract visitors, we support ourselves with great promotion from the municipalities,” she added.
The most requested tours include the Sumidero Canyon, the Miraflores viewpoints of the Sumidero Canyon National Park, the Sima de las Cotorras, the Aguacero, the lakes, the waterfalls such as El Chiflón and Agua Azul. “We hope that this year many visitors will arrive, always seeking the safety of the tourist,” said the representative of AMAV.
Ramírez Matus insisted that Chiapas has a great natural, cultural and gastronomic wealth that deserves to be explored. “There are many attractions that we have not yet finished discovering. We, as service providers, are the first to visit them, supported by tourist guides and the hotel association, to ensure safety measures,” she concluded. The businesswoman stressed that the quality of service is essential, and that visitors must become ambassadors to continue promoting the state. In addition, she stressed that the average overnight stay is from five days to two or three weeks, which generates significant economic benefits in the region.
Source: oem
