The president of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies (AMAV) in Chiapas, Laura Ramírez Matuz, announced in an interview that the state is experiencing high demand for reservations leading up to the holiday season, with a surge in national and international bookings for its main tourist attractions.
Ramírez Matuz noted that “many people love to travel” and that in recent weeks there has been increased interest in iconic Chiapas destinations, including the Sumidero Canyon, Palenque, Agua Azul, the Montebello Lakes, Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), and the coffee route. She affirmed that there are “very positive expectations for the end of the year” due to the influx of visitors already reflected in itineraries and reservations.
She explained that Chiapas is “at the peak of its tourism industry” and that the state offers conditions that have generated confidence in the tourism sector. She mentioned that past festivals such as Coyatoc, El Mequé, and Xibam Balam, among others, have helped solidify the local tourism offering as a cultural and recreational product.
The leader acknowledged that tourist numbers were low months ago and attributed this to the perception of safety: “Yes, they were low,” she said, although she assured that, following the change in state administration, positive expectations and a gradual recovery have been generated.
Ramírez Matuz emphasized the importance of visitors purchasing their services from formal agencies, noting that AMAV brings together certified agencies with National Tourism Registry and a minimum of two years of experience, in order to guarantee protection and prevent problems or fraud. She stressed that the organization nationwide comprises more than a thousand agencies and that “we must be careful about who we buy our package from.”
The president stated that AMAV provides ongoing training to its members in customer service and tax responsibilities, in addition to coordinating with Profeco (the Federal Consumer Protection Agency) to report companies that engage in irregular practices.
According to data confirmed in interviews with the State Tourism Secretariat, Chiapas registered 5,886,000 visitors between January and August, a figure that represents sustained growth and allows for projections of more than six million tourists by the end of 2025. The agency highlighted that Palenque and San Cristóbal de Las Casas remain the most popular destinations.
Meanwhile, the business sector reported that current hotel occupancy is between 42 and 45 percent, while the economic impact generated through September exceeds 16.182 billion pesos. The main tourist destinations are Palenque, Ocosingo, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Comitán de Domínguez, Chiapa de Corzo, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tonalá, and Tapachula.
Ramírez Matuz concluded that responsible, community-based tourism with environmental respect should remain a central focus, especially in an entity that offers “variety so that visitors can have a good experience.”
Source: oem
