Mexico Tourism Board showcases food & culture

It was costumes and cuisine on Thursday night when the Mexico Tourism Board hosted a celebration of Mexican gastronomy and culture at the Royal Ontario Museum. Three hundred members of the travel trade and honoured guests enjoyed drinks and some of Mexico’s finest food, prepared by chefs Arturo Fernandez Montes de Oca and Jonatan Gomez Luna Torres.

Francisco Suarez, ambassador, Embassy of Mexico, spoke about the challenges Mexico has had to promote its gastronomy beyond typical fare: “It has been a constant struggle to convince that our gastronomy goes far beyond the Tex Mex taco,” said Suarez. “We have some of the top restaurants in the world.”

As guests sampled the fine fare of the chefs, Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, CEO, Mexico Tourism Board, spoke about Mexico’s tourism performance thus far in 2015. Mexico’s tourism is outpacing the world’s number at 10.8 per cent. Tourism numbers show 10.5 million visitors, up 10.8 per cent from 2014 and 30 per cent from 2012. Air arrivals sit at 5.4 million, up 8.6 per cent from 2014 and 27.1 per cent from 2012. Canadian visitors to Mexico from January to May are up 2.6 per cent from 2014.

“Mexico continues to beat records in tourism,” said Negrete. “Canada is a priority market and has always been. But we want to expand it even more.”

Negrete said the five key factors for Canadian tourism to Mexico are firstly, the exchange rate of the peso versus the Canadian dollar, making Mexico 10 per cent more affordable. The upgrading of the Cancun Airport means a new Terminal 4 and an expansion of Terminal 2 and 3, supporting growth in that part of the country. As well, Mexico’s development banks offer competitive credit lines for investing in new hotels and resorts. The announcement that travellers holding US visas will not require Canadian visas from Mexico has also played into tourism in both countries. Lastly, the incorporation of more hotel rooms from 17 new hotels and the reopening of 11 hotels has meant more Canadian tourism.

“Canadians are slowing down in their travel overall, but to Mexico, that is not the case,” said Negrete. “We believe that Mexico continues to be the best proposition for the Canadian market and we want to boost tourism out of Canada.”

Negrete also mentioned there are 25 flights to Mexico from Canada, with flights to 12 different Mexican destinations from Toronto.

“The portfolio of destinations in Mexico for Canadians is expanding as well,” said Negrete. “There are more projects to come.”

Negrete also revealed two new commercials soon to be launched in the Canadian market, in conjunction with the “Live It To Believe It” campaign.

Negrete then spoke about the focus of the evening – food: “Mexican food is appreciated everywhere. But we have to promote Mexican gastronomy on an international level,” he said, noting that three Mexican restaurants have been voted part of the 50 best restaurants in the world.

The evening ended with the ROM opening up its Mexico exhibit for guests to view. ¡Viva México! Clothing and Culture features a collection of Mexican textiles illustrating the history of Mexico. Over 150 historic and contemporary pieces are on display, including complete costume ensembles, sarapes, rebozos, textiles, embroidery, beadwork and more.

For more information on Mexico, visit www.visitmexico.com.