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Some good news about Mexico: meeting market holding up well
Mexico last year was proudly touting its 200th anniversary which was marred by unexpected drug violence. But the meetings market there has rebounded, according to MeetingsFocusWest.
The country last year hosted 197,400 meetings with 23 million participants.
What contributed to the success of the meeting market?
“A confident, purposeful, multi-faceted strategic plan that is as attractive to outside investors as to tourists, planners and groups,” said the magazine.
The Mexico Tourist Board was apparently successful in its positive rebranding campaign that featured the theme “Mexico: The Place You Thought You Knew.”
Public relations efforts included magazine ads as part of the one-quarter of a $100 million advertising investment.
“We believe word-of-mouth is getting to be a better tool for us right now, especially now that we’re seeing some not-so-positive things on the media, especially in the US,” said Mexico Tourist Board CMO Gerardo Llanes.
Major advantages touted by tourism officials include the country’s 57 international flights and hundreds of daily direct flights from the US.
Incentive business has also boosted the meeting market. Resort cities such as Merida and Oaxaca have long been known for creating unique programs.
Hotels have announced new expansion plans for Mexico.
The InterContinental Hotel Group, for example, plans to invest $500 million to create 5,000 rooms in 47 new properties in Mexico by 2014.
Starwood Mexico is also opening three new properties by 2014, company officials announced.
By David Wilkening
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