Business leaders in the tourism sector speak of the benefits in the city after receiving the designation of Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) in 2012, which has led to economic development and an increase in businesses related to the sector.
Jordy Abraham Martínez, president of the Restaurant Association of Valladolid Yucatán (Arvay), considered that an academic institution should survey visitors to find out if they came to Valladolid because it is a Pueblo Mágico and to learn about its culture, traditions, and history.
Tourism experts from Mérida recently stated that the federal Pueblos Mágicos program is now only about “political titles”.
In the case of Sisal, this designation only serves to overexploit and defraud visitors, as the alleged “sustainable tourism” activities in that port only benefit businessmen, without respecting laws and regulations or the local government.
Manuel Navarrete Correa, president of the Yucatan Pueblos Mágicos committee, said that in the case of Valladolid, the Pueblo Mágico designation has worked as an economic booster for the city.
He recalled that before 2012 the economic development of this city was dormant, however, when the designation of Pueblo Mágico was received, things gradually changed.
New investments began to arrive, and some of the owners of central colonial buildings began to rent and sell their properties at higher prices since the situation in the city was changing.
The increase in the flow of tourists was evident, so new hotels and restaurants began to open, as well as new clothing and craft stores. The growth was notable, in addition to the fact that the city had all the elements and tourist products to be considered an outstanding travel destination and thus a strong promotion began, supported by social networks, without overexploiting tourism, as in other magic towns.
Abraham Martínez stated that for many years the city has had all the elements to be considered a tourist destination and now it has been “discovered” by thousands of national and international travelers.
However, to determine if the Pueblo Mágico designation is the reason why so many tourists are coming, a survey would have to be carried out to find out.
TYT Newsroom