Background on Key Players and Relevance
The National Association of Hotel Chains (ANCH)-Hoteles por México and the Mexican Hotel and Motel Association (AMHM) are significant entities in Mexico’s hospitality sector. They aim to strengthen Mexico’s international standing as a leading tourist destination by advocating for strategic allocation of resources.
Proposal for DNR Funds
The federal government has proposed a 14.2% increase in the payment of DNR (right to visit without permission for remunerated activities) for the upcoming year. ANCH-Hoteles por México and AMHM view this as an opportunity to bolster Mexico’s international tourism promotion.
They urge the government to allocate a portion of these increased DNR funds directly to international tourism promotion. This would involve establishing a transparent and professional vehicle with clear accountability and objectives, where the associations intend to contribute their expertise.
Mexico’s Current Standing and Global Competition
According to the UNWTO, Mexico currently ranks 6th globally in international arrivals. The federal government’s Plan México aims to advance to the 5th spot by 2030, necessitating a robust and continuous global promotion policy.
Currently, foreign visitors pay 860.56 Mexican pesos as DNR, and the proposal is to increase this to 983.00 pesos. However, Mexico’s promotional budget for the current year is only 0.85 million US dollars, allocated to the General Directorate of Promotion and International Affairs within the Secretariat of Tourism.
Comparison with Global Competitors
In contrast, countries like Turkey invest over 215 million US dollars annually in tourism promotion. Mexico’s primary Caribbean competitor, the Dominican Republic, invests 25 million US dollars. Public-private organizations such as Brand USA (224 million US dollars), Destination Canada (89 million US dollars), Turespaña (92 million US dollars), and Atout France (97 million US dollars) have substantial, ongoing budgets that have proven crucial in attracting visitors.
Collaboration and Commitment
ANCH-Hoteles por México and AMHM reaffirm their willingness to collaborate with the federal government and the Secretariat of Tourism to design a promotional turism model ensuring Mexico’s competitiveness and helping achieve the federal government’s goal of positioning Mexico as one of the top five international arrival destinations within the next few years, ideally securing the fourth spot.
They also acknowledge the federal Tourism Secretary and their leadership in emphasizing tourism’s relevance on the national agenda. Beyond its macroeconomic impact, tourism is a shared prosperity engine, as demonstrated in Quintana Roo where tourism has reduced poverty rates by nearly 10 percentage points, enhancing the living conditions of thousands of families.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the proposal by ANCH-Hoteles por México and AMHM? They request that a portion of the increased DNR funds be allocated directly to international tourism promotion, establishing a transparent and professional vehicle with clear accountability and objectives.
- Why is this proposal significant? Mexico currently ranks 6th globally in international arrivals, and the federal government aims to advance to the 5th spot by 2030. A robust global promotion policy is essential to achieve this goal.
- How does Mexico’s current promotional budget compare to global competitors? Mexico’s current promotional budget is 0.85 million US dollars, significantly less than competitors like Turkey and Destination Canada, which invest over 200 million US dollars annually.
- What is the impact of tourism in Quintana Roo? Tourism has considerably reduced poverty rates by nearly 10 percentage points in Quintana Roo, improving living conditions for thousands of families.
