International tourism rebounds in Merida during the Hanal Pixan celebrations

Tourists from China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Canada have shown interest in coming to experience the Hanal Pixán festivities organized by the Mérida City Hall, and a 15 percent increase in reservations is expected for these dates, said José Luis Martínez Semerena, director of Economic Development and Tourism for the municipality.

He explained that the Hanal Pixán festivities are unique and recognized, and what began as a social event has now taken on an international presence, and it is expected that the arrival of international tourists will increase due to this cultural event, he said.

Martínez Semerena emphasized that television companies from different parts of the world have requested information about the origin, activities, and events included in these celebrations, which are so particular to Yucatecan culture, such as the celebration of the Festival of the Souls.

He said that the Paseo de las Ánimas is one of the best-positioned tourist products that Merida has and compares with other events that take place in the country, in some towns in central Mexico and in other states where the presence of religious rites and the symbiosis of folklore, cultural and artistic traditions is sought, he said.

He emphasized that the traditional festivities of Hanal Pixan compete with other important festivals that attract tourists and present a series of representations of the festivities of the dead in the different Mesoamerican cultures in the country.

He said that this festival is very well positioned in Europe and Asia, so the presence of Asian visitors is expected, mainly Chinese and Koreans, he added. We have requests from travel agencies, so a good number of tourists are expected to arrive and come to know and have a different experience, like the celebration that the Yucatecans have,” he said.

It is expected that the increase of tourists arriving in Merida for these festivities is 15 percent, which will be reflected in hotel reservations and in the economic revenue that will be received primarily by airlines, travel agencies, transportation companies, and food and beverage consumption centers, he said.

We are looking to position this type of event with more strength and, with this, expand the program of activities, since, in addition to the Walk of the Souls, events for all ages will be included in parks, and neighborhoods, with this, a gastronomic alley with food and traditional snacks of our state, which strongly promotes micro and small entrepreneurs of food and beverages, he said. It is important to say that a large number of national tourists are arriving in Mérida, which is increasing with the direct flights now from Querétaro, Puebla, Guanajuato, and Guadalajara to Mérida, therefore, the possibility that more visitors will come during these dates, and the economic benefit will grow for the service sector, he concluded.

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