With confirmed increases in the costs of visas and permits to enter the United States, which could lead Sonorans or others to limit their travel to that country, Sonora will seek to take advantage of the situation to attract visitors and boost the tourism sector.
Regarding this issue, the head of the Sonora Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Roberto Gradillas Pineda, explained that, while the increase in visa fees could impact travel to the United States, there is an opportunity to diversify Sonora’s tourism offering and attract travelers who choose domestic destinations instead of traveling to the neighboring country to the north.
He emphasized that Sonora has many tourist attractions that could attract tourists who, due to the rising costs of immigration procedures, are looking for nearby alternatives.
This adjustment could increase spending by families planning to cross the border, which would directly affect their travel decisions, especially those with lower purchasing power.
“Obviously, these types of adjustments generate additional expenses for families, but we believe we have many advantages for them to come and visit us and for the Sonorans and Mexicans themselves to enjoy everything we have in our state instead of going elsewhere,” he stated in an interview.
He emphasized that Sonora is in an excellent position to showcase its gastronomy, culture, beaches, and infrastructure, which allow us to provide unique experiences for domestic and international tourists.
“We are working to encourage visits from this North American market to Sonora. We will soon participate in various venues and forums in Arizona, specifically in this market, which is ours, to continue promoting it, and obviously we always want the impact to be minimal,” he added.
Among the authorities’ priorities is strengthening the connection between the residents of northern Mexico and local tourist destinations, making Sonora a more accessible and attractive option, he concluded.
Source: oem
