Tourism sector brings in cash

Tuesday, 11 February 2014 00:10
BY ROCÍO ZAYAS
The News


MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s tourism sector attracted a record foreign currency intake in 2013 of approximately $13 billion, Tourism Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu said on Monday, adding that the final, official figures will be released in the coming weeks.

“The primary indicators in this sector registered an important increase last year,” Ruiz Massieu said. “Tourism grew at a faster rate than seen in other branches of the economy.”

The sector’s excellent performance is an expression of the world’s confidence in Mexico, she said, adding that figures for foreign exchange earnings, visitors arriving by air and average amount spent had all risen.
Ruiz Massieu’s comments were made during a visit to Campeche, which she said has the support of the federal government in its efforts to make the state into a world-class destination, adding that the work that has been undertaken by the federal and state government so far has provided results.

She also visited the San Carlos Fort — a 17th Century battlement and prison built to protect Campeche from pirate attacks, one of the city’s tourist attractions — where she supervised the advance of the San Carlos Landscape and Heritage Master Plan.

Ruiz Massieu said that this project aims to rehabilitate Campeche City’s downtown and make it more attractive to tourists, which she said will emphasize its natural and cultural riches.