With the goal of strengthening tourism in the state capital, the Director of Tourism and Hospitality, Daniel Gutiérrez Meave, announced a strategy focused on attracting tourists from the Asian continent, particularly from China. During a recent working visit to Fengdu, China, the official highlighted the importance of consolidating Guanajuato as an international destination by strengthening cultural and tourism ties.
Gutiérrez Meave emphasized that China represents a great opportunity for Guanajuato, not only because of its population of more than 1.4 billion people, but also because of the high level of spending by its citizens on international travel, with an average of 70,000 Mexican pesos per tourist.
The relationship between Guanajuato and Fengdu began more than five years ago, when the capital city of Guanajuato was identified as one of the main inspirations for the animated film Coco. This cultural bond has grown over time, becoming a bridge of exchange that now seeks to attract Chinese tourism through unique cultural experiences, such as the Day of the Dead celebrations.
During their visit to Fengdu, the Guanajuato delegation learned about the local Festival of the Dead, celebrated since 1988 and attracting thousands of visitors, especially domestic ones. Gutiérrez Meave highlighted the similarity of this holiday to Mexican traditions, which can be leveraged to promote cultural tourism.
This request will be added to his previous request for the celebration of the Tejocoteros Indians in the Sierra de Santa Rosa to also be declared a World Heritage Site.
Furthermore, the municipal official explained that they held meetings with Chinese tour operators currently organizing trips to destinations such as the United States, with the goal of including Guanajuato in their catalogs. “We want these operators to also consider Mexico. China is traveling more than ever, and it’s time to take advantage of this great opportunity,” the director stated.
This is the third consecutive year that the tradition of giving away snow, water, and pens symbolizing the Virgin’s tears has been observed in the city hall.
If Guanajuato were to attract even 1% of Chinese tourists, it would result in a significant increase in tourist influx and a significant economic impact for the city. A twinning process with Fengdu is also underway, which includes collaborations in tourism, culture, and investment.
Source: oem
