Mexico will have 20 new air routes to various tourist destinations within the country as part of a strategy to strengthen connectivity ahead of the World Cup, Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora announced Wednesday during the 50th edition of the Tianguis Turístico (Tourism Fair).
In an interview with EFE, the federal official stated that this strengthening of routes is part of the Mexico Plan, which aims to position the country as the fifth most visited in the world, in addition to improving national and international connectivity.
Rodríguez Zamora explained that, besides boosting connectivity, more than 2,000 loans have already been granted to the tourism sector as part of a financing scheme designed to strengthen the industry’s infrastructure and services.
“We have to be the fifth most visited country. President Claudia Sheinbaum has asked us to invest in and explore how we can increase connectivity. Therefore, as part of the Mexico Plan, more than 20 air routes were announced,” she commented.
She also detailed that a financing guide for tourism, developed in coordination with the Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and UN Tourism, is already in place. This guide supports 773 projects across all 32 states of the country, with an investment exceeding $40 million.
She added that this mechanism will also allow small and medium-sized tourism businesses to access resources through national and international financial institutions.
The Secretary emphasized the importance of the announcement in an adverse context for the airline industry due to rising fuel costs, although she assured that airlines continue to invest in the Mexican market in the lead-up to the World Cup.
In this regard, she highlighted that Volaris will open 12 new routes from Puebla starting in June, while Aeroméxico will operate 29 charter flights for the World Cup, in addition to strengthening international connections, primarily with Europe.
For its part, Viva Aerobus will expand its operations from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), with new routes to Medellín and Bogotá, Colombia, as part of strengthening national and international connectivity.
“We continue to strengthen national and international connections,” he explained.
Regarding investment, he indicated that the sustainable tourism projects in Punta Venado, Quintana Roo, and the Nayarit coast represent $150 million in investment, a figure that was increased in February 2026.
On community-based tourism, he highlighted that this is the first time this segment has been presented at the Tianguis Turístico (Tourism Fair).
He specified that there are currently more than 500 projects under development throughout Mexico, supported with equipment, training, and guidance from UNESCO, as well as from federal and state governments.
“It opens with a perfectly written digital guide that tells you how to get there, what to do, and how to access these routes. So today, the way Mexico is marketed has changed. The main tourist attractions, of course, are the major destinations, but these major destinations now offer complementary experiences,” she mentioned.
The official added that, in this first stage, nine states are concentrating the main community-based experiences, and she announced that eight more states will be incorporated in the coming months, with around 400 new experiences.
“Everyone who has these projects will receive international recognition, the Community Tourism distinction,” she specified. These awards are dedicated to diverse segments, from guides and cooks to artisans and environmental stewards who have done “tourism work,” she concluded.
Source: quepasamedia
