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In a country as diverse and rich in culture as Mexicothe tourism has established itself as one of the fundamental pillars of the economy.
According to official data from INEGI reported by ForbesIn 2023, the country welcomed more than 42 million foreign visitors, generating significant revenues and creating millions of direct and indirect jobs.
But tourism in Mexico is not only measured in economic terms. In the last few years, there has been a growing interest in the sustainable tourismThe trend seeks to balance the enjoyment of natural and cultural resources with the responsibility of preserving them for future generations. This approach not only helps to protect the environmentbut also promotes the economic and social development of local communities.
The road to the future
The sustainable tourism in Mexico has become a key tool for addressing challenges such as poverty, inequality and environmental degradation. By promoting responsible and environmentally friendly practices, it seeks to minimize the negative impact on the environment and maximize the benefits for local communities. This ranges from efficient management of resources such as water and energy, to waste reduction and biodiversity conservation.
Diego Correacoordinator of the Sustainable Economy Program at the Sustainable Tourism and Social Development Network, explains that in Baja California Sur there are many types of tourism, but not all of them are very beneficial due to the impacts they generate.
"We are committed to low-impact tourism that provides an opportunity for income and community development, but that is totally sustainable with the environment, with a view to environmental conservation, including its restoration and regeneration," he says.
We recommend: Sustainable tourism, key to conservation and community development
The sustainable tourism implies respecting the flora and fauna, taking advantage of its attractions in a way that does not affect or be detrimental to the ecosystem and for the communities themselves, he stresses.
An example of sustainable tourism is the one that from 2019 will be practiced by the Fishermen's Organization Rescuing the Inletin La PazBaja California Sur. It is a community entrepreneurship led by local fishermen, who, with the accompaniment of NOS Sustainable Northwest created Manglitours.
This company designed a tour by means of which tourists can enjoy a walk inside the Ensenada de La Pazwhere they can spot shorebirds and marine wildlife, while listening to the story of resilience that allowed the neighborhood's residents to El Manglito regenerate this space and recover species such as scallops, oysters and scallops. Tourists can snorkel or even extract scallops to enjoy on the boat.
We recommend: Explore the Ensenada de La Paz; Manglitours offers a unique experience of sustainable tourism.
Also with the accompaniment of NOS Sustainable Northwest, The Guardians of the Conchalito have developed an innovative tourism offer that combines environmental conservation with local economic activity.
This group of women offers guided tours in the Estero El Conchalito where visitors can learn first-hand about the actions of mangrove care preservation, bird watching and oyster aquaculture that they carry out. Their approach seeks to demonstrate that it is possible to work in harmony with nature, conserving the environment and at the same time generating a livelihood for the families of the community.
Las Guardianas' conviction is to bring more people into the culture of environmental care, promoting responsible tourism that not only avoids damaging the environment, but also contributes to its regeneration.
Challenges and opportunities
The Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024of the World Economic Forum predicts that environmental challenges will have the greatest global impact in the next decade, affecting the world's populations, societies, economies and ecosystems.
He notes that challenges such as biodiversity loss, increasing climate-related extreme weather events, and increasing pollution pose clear threats to natural resources that generate tourism, the sector's infrastructure, and visitor experiences.
However, this sector could play an important role in addressing the global challenges by mitigating its contributions to the climate change and making the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious sector.
The areas in which tourism should be:
- Increase the value of nature conservation initiatives.
- Leading the energy transition
- Promoting responsible consumption
The tourism in Mexico not only represents an economic engine, it is also an opportunity to promote sustainability and social development, adopting responsible practices and promoting the sustainable tourism to conserve natural and cultural wealth and promote economic growth and quality of life in the communities.
