Because of its cultural, gastronomic, artistic and historic legacy, Magic Towns and beautiful beaches, as well as excellent air connectivity, great hotel infrastructure and services, Yucatan offers enormous possibilities within the sector of Romance or Wedding Tourism, a term that refers to marriage ceremonies held at specific attractive tourist destinations like the Yucatán, which in recent years has become relevant.
And this item is already considered a niche of utmost importance in the state, because according to estimates developed by the promoter YucatanLove, the average cost per wedding of this type in the territory is approximately 780,000 pesos (39,000 USD), with an expense per tourist of $3,900 pesos (190 USD) per day. That means that according to this source, it translates into an average economic spill of 2,636,400 pesos (130,000 USD) by marriage.
For this reason, Merida welcomed a group of 17 Wedding Planning experts from the United States and Canada, as part of the 10th edition of Love Mexico & Beyond, which brings together more than 650 experts from the wedding and romance destination industry to the the state of Yucatán and the Riviera Maya.
During their stay the wedding planners got to know the infrastructure related to this sector in the state, such as beautiful haciendas, villas, hotels, boutique hotels, party halls and convention centers, spas, as well as local catering and event coordinating firms.
For its part, the Secretariat of Tourism Development (Sefotur), headed by Michelle Friedman Hirsch, provided this delegation with free lodging, food and means of transportation began from December 6th to the 10th while they toured Mérid and other parts of the state. Divided into two groups:
The first group visited the town of Kimbilá, located about 50 kilometers east of the capital, and is recognized for its traditional Yucatec embroidery; then he went to the Magic Town of Izamal, where they visited the museum and the convent, and enjoyed the exquisite food of the Kinich, which was recently distinguished by the Federal Tourism Secretariat (Sectur) with the “Ven a Comer” (Come to eat) badge.
The second group of five entrepreneurs arrived in Mérida and toured the hacienda Ya-axká where they had lunch, and then were transferred to the Sotuta de Peón Estate, where they enjoyed a relaxing Temazcal.
On the following day, one of the groups went to Cenote San Ignacio, located in the community of Chocholá, 20 minutes from Mérida, and visited the Hotel Boutique Cenote San Ignacio. Later on that day, they tasted craft liqueurs and regional snacks, to conclude their day with a snorkeling activity.
The second group visited Hacienda Sotuta de Peón, and the San Juan Opichén hacienda where they were received as guests of honor during the inaugurating ribbon cutting ceremony.
Wedding planners (Photo: yucatanahora)
Later, the 17 guests gave an extensive tour of the hacienda and had a meeting with important local entrepreneurs of the tourism sector and wedding planning industry, accompanied by the Director of Regional Tourism Development and Mundo Maya, Lic. Arturo Sánchez, in representation of the Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal and of the Secretary of Tourist Promotion, Lic. Michelle Friedman Hirsch.
That night, the delegation went to Santa Lucia Park to enjoy the traditional serenade, and to conclude their work plan with a farewell dinner at La Tratto Restaurant.
There is no doubt that this visit of such prominent businessmen and women of the romance tourism sector leaves a valuable precedent in the cultural and commercial exchange, in search of new opportunities for tourism growth in Mérida and the whole state of Yucatan.
The companies that collaborated during the Wedding Planner’s visit are:
- Hacienda Sotuta de Peón
- Hacienda Ya-axká
- Hacienda Misné
- Hacienda San Juan Opichén
- Hampton Inn Hotel
- Cenote San Ignacio Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Rinconada Del Convento
- Restaurant La Tratto
- Kinich Restaurant
- TurisMaya
- Maya Heritage
- Coordination Luis Bastarrachea
- Flowers and decorations Yahabibi
- Photography DiegoGalaPhoto.
- Photographer Walter Vera.
TYT Newsroom with information from yucatanahora.mx
