Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Felipe García Asencio, the General Director of Santander México, is at the forefront of supporting Mexico’s tourism sector. His bank has been actively involved in financing and promoting the growth of this crucial industry. Santander’s commitment extends beyond Mexico, as they have also supported the establishment of over 100 Spanish companies in Mexico and facilitated the arrival of around 30 Mexican businesses in Spain over the past three years.
Santander’s Impact on Mexican Tourism Development
At the “Connections Inspiring the Future of Tourism” forum in Madrid, Spain, prior to FITUR, leaders, authorities, and decision-makers from both countries gathered to discuss the historic opportunity for Mexico in tourism by 2026. Felipe García Asencio, the General Director of Santander México, highlighted that 2026 presents a unique chance to showcase Mexico’s organizational capabilities, infrastructure, and hospitality while stimulating long-term investments and projects in tourism, mobility, services, and urban development.
Santander’s Financial Contributions
García Asencio emphasized Santander’s role as a facilitator in the tourism sector, with notable participation in financing and supporting the operation of the industry across Mexico. In the southeast region alone, Santander has provided credit for 20 projects worth $2.7 billion, equivalent to 28,000 hotel rooms.
Santander’s Priorities and Support
The primary focus of Santander México is to provide comprehensive support to the tourism sector, large projects that sustain it (such as airlines, airport and road infrastructure), and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the industry. Additionally, Santander is committed to sustainable financing for the tourism sector’s responsible growth.
Collaboration and Alliances
During the forum, Sebastián Ramírez, the Director General of the National Tourism Development Fund (Fonatur), discussed public-private partnerships as a mechanism to boost tourism in Mexico. Quirino Ordaz, the Mexican Ambassador to Spain, addressed Spain’s perspective and interest in Mexico.
Santander’s Cross-Border Support
Ignacio Juliá, CEO of Santander in Spain, underscored the growing relationship between Mexico and Spain. He mentioned that Santander España has supported the establishment of more than 100 Spanish companies in Mexico during 2025 and around 360 in the past three years. Simultaneously, Santander México has assisted approximately 30 Mexican companies in entering the Spanish market.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of Banco Santander’s efforts in Mexico’s tourism sector? Santander aims to provide comprehensive support to the tourism industry, including large projects like airlines and infrastructure, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the sector. They also prioritize sustainable financing for responsible growth.
- What historic opportunity does 2026 present for Mexico’s tourism sector? 2026 offers a unique chance to display Mexico’s organizational capabilities, infrastructure, and hospitality while encouraging long-term investments and projects in tourism, mobility, services, and urban development.
- How has Banco Santander contributed financially to Mexico’s tourism sector? Santander has provided credit for 20 projects worth $2.7 billion in the southeast region, equivalent to 28,000 hotel rooms.
- What role do public-private partnerships play in boosting Mexico’s tourism? Public-private partnerships are considered a mechanism to stimulate tourism in Mexico, as discussed by Sebastián Ramírez from Fonatur during the forum.
- How has Banco Santander supported cross-border business relationships between Mexico and Spain? Banco Santander has facilitated the establishment of over 100 Spanish companies in Mexico and helped around 30 Mexican companies enter the Spanish market, as highlighted by Ignacio Juliá, CEO of Santander in Spain.
