The State of Yucatán is working on the final details of the 45th edition of Mexico's annual Tianguis Turístico (TT2020) tourism trade event which promises to be an innovative, dynamic and highly efficient iteration.
For three days, TT2020 will bring together suppliers of the Mexican tourism industry and buyers from more than 40 countries.
This prestigious event, to take place March 22 to 25 in Mérida, the Yucatecan capital - with the Siglo XXI Convention and Exhibition Center as the main venue - aims to promote and sell Mexico as a unique destination thanks to its history, culture and natural beauty before the biggest buyers in the industry, with the goal of generating both visitor arrivals and economic gains.
TT2020 is being organized by Mexico federal tourism secretariat SECTUR and the State Organizing Committee, formed by officials from the Secretary of Tourism Development of Yucatan (Sefotur), under the coordination of agency head Michelle Fridman Hirsch. Organizers have teamed with public and private sector partners to carry out joint work to attract a greater quality and quantity of buyers and hosted buyers for the benefit of tourism, not only from Yucatán, but from across Mexico.
"Without a doubt, we will have a before and after the Tianguis Turístico 2020," said Fridman Hirsch. "The premise of our governor, Mauricio Vila Dosal, is to increase investment in tourism products and, as a result, generate more and better jobs and an economic gain that benefits all the municipalities of our state.
TT2020 coincides with one of the most iconic celebrations of Yucatán: the Spring Equinox, the time of the year when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky, marked by a symmetrical duration of day and night. According to ancient local beliefs, the Earth is, at Equinox, completely aligned with its starting point, giving rise to a new cycle. Organizers have similar hopes for TT2020, an event that implies renewal and rebirth for the tourism industry and the state; that promises to be efficient, friendly and responsible; and that will highlight the best of Yucatán - "the color of Mexico" - as the cradle of Mexican civilization.
To that end, Sefotur, together with other state agencies and the private sector, is preparing an extensive activities program for TT2020 attendees to coincide with the completion of event in Mérida. Highlights will include visits to archaeological sites during the Equinox, a symposium and other events, and the presentation of new tourist attractions of great magnitude, all of which will undoubtedly make this event a memorable experience.
Since its creation in 1975, the Tianguis Turístico of México has grown in strength and size, increasing in almost editions the number of participating international purchasing and business connections made. The 44th Tianguis Turístico, held last year in Acapulco, saw more than 47,300 business connections made among more than 1,300 buyers from 44 countries.
Organizers in Yucatán are optimistic they'll surpass earlier numbers like those in different respects. For example, host venue the Siglo XXI Convention and Exhibition Center is being remodeled and expanded from 139,930 square feet to more than 247,569 square feet in an investment of 220 million pesos (about $11.5 million U.S.). This will place Mérida among the top 7 cities in Mexico in terms of capacity to hold large-scale events.
