Background on the Importance of Tourism for Economic Development
With the designation of Mexico City as host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the State of Mexico government is preparing a strategy to capture part of the economic and tourism boom generated by this major event.
New Tourist Routes and Capacity Building Program
The strategy includes the creation of new permanent tourist routes and a massive capacity-building program for service providers, leveraging the logistical advantage of hosting a national team and having the Toluca International Airport (AIT) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) as entry points.
According to Laura González, Secretary of Economic Development, the plan aims to leave a permanent tourism infrastructure. She announced the launch of two tourist corridors that will be ready before the event.
The Ruta de la Flor
This route will showcase the flower cultivation in the southern municipalities of the state, offering an ecotourism and visual experience throughout the year.
The Mezcal Route
This route will capitalize on the recent denomination of origin for Mexico State’s mezcal, promoting the culture, production, and tasting of the beverage in mezcal-producing municipalities.
Promoting Existing Tourist Destinations
The strategy also includes the reactivation and promotion of “Pueblos Mágicos” (Magical Towns) and traditional zones in the state, such as the Teotihuacan archaeological site, one of Mexico’s most visited destinations after Chichen Itza.
Alejandro Razo, Director of the Mexico State Entrepreneurship Institute, explained that the state strategy aims to accommodate the expected number of visitors and ensure an appropriate experience, involving not only tourism services but also security and mobility coordination.
Capacity Building Program
To meet the anticipated demand, a specialized capacity-building program will be implemented. The hospitality and restaurant sectors will receive special training to ensure they are prepared for maximum capacity.
The State of Mexico has approximately 39,000 hotel rooms in registered economic units, with an additional 20% offered through temporary accommodation platforms. With estimates predicting 5.5 million visitors to Mexico City during the tournament, the state is well-positioned to handle this influx.
State as a Host for a Participating Team
During the 2026 World Cup, the State of Mexico will likely host at least one participating team. The team will use the Nemesio Díez Stadium for training and stay in a hotel in the Valley of Toluca. The state’s altitude, infrastructure, and proximity to the Mexican Football Federation headquarters in the capital make it an attractive location for additional teams to choose as their base of operations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of the State of Mexico’s strategy? The primary objective is to create permanent tourism infrastructure and routes that can be promoted before and after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Which tourist routes are being developed? The Ruta de la Flor and the Ruta del Mezcal are the two new routes being prepared, focusing on ecotourism and mezcal production, respectively.
- How will existing tourist destinations be promoted? The strategy aims to reactivate and promote “Pueblos Mágicos” and traditional zones, ensuring proper accommodation, security, and mobility for the expected influx of visitors.
- What is the capacity building program for? The program aims to train the hospitality and restaurant sectors to handle the anticipated demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Why is the State of Mexico a suitable host for participating teams? The state’s altitude, infrastructure, and proximity to the Mexican Football Federation headquarters make it an attractive location for teams seeking a training base.
