Mexico and San Francisco strengthen ties to boost tourism through Operation Toca Puertas

The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Miguel Torruco Brandsbegan a working tour in the city of San Francisco, California, United States, as part of Operation Toca Puertas, during which he is accompanied by a delegation of more than 20 members, among them state authorities, presidents and representatives of tourist associations. and businessmen, with the aim of increasing the flow of tourists from this city, which is part of the entity that sends the most international travelers to our country.

Accompanied by the Consul General of Mexico in San FranciscoRemedios Gomez Arnauthe head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sector) held an important meeting with the Mayor of the City of London Breed, during which they discussed the close bilateral relations between our country and UNITED STATES, mainly the state of Californiafirst source of international tourists to Mexico.

In this sense, he stressed the importance of San Francisco that, with the Bay Area Composed of nine counties, it has a population of 7.76 million inhabitants, of which 23.5% are Hispanic and among them, 72.1% are of Mexican origin, which represents a strong tourist potential.

The mayor of San Francisco underlined the importance of this city as a destination for Mexican tourists, and of Mexico as a destination for the inhabitants of San Francisco; for which he thanked the visit of Secretary Torruco, through which the tourist exchange will be strengthened.

As part of the working tour of Operation Knock on Doors in San Francisco, the delegation had a meeting with the leaders of Meta in the offices of this company, who explained the importance of the use of digital tools in the development of tourism promotion and activity. The perspectives and opportunities they currently offer, the trends in the use of social networks were assessed and they agreed to work on joint collaborative projects that strengthen tourism.

The meeting was attended by Alonso Fernández, Lead Americas Play Platform Strategic Partner Manager; Eliana Pérez, Mexico Public Policy Manager; and Sharon Yang, US Policy and Government Manager, Global Policy and Government Outreach.

In order to promote air connectivity and tourist flows between San Francisco And Mexicothe Head of Sector and the Mexican delegation met Melissa Andretta, director of marketing and development for San Francisco International Airport; and with Hubertus Funke, vice president of SF Travel, one of the most important travel agencies in this destination.

They discussed the projects carried out by the Government of Mexico to promote the diversification of tourist activity in the 270 places with a vocation that our country has, through the construction, expansion and renovation of airports such as AIFA, Tulum , Quintana Roo; Creel, Chihuahua; Tepic, Nayarit; Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, to name a few; so that the benefits of tourism reach the communities, and thus comply with the instruction of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, to make tourism a tool for social reconciliation.

Currently, San Francisco International Airport offers nonstop flights to more than 52 international cities.six of which are in Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cabo San Lucas, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun; and serves more than 55 million passengers each year, who can connect with the 15 most important destinations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

tourism figures

In 2022, 637,864 passengers arrived in Mexico from San Francisco, on 4,705 flights, this represents an increase of 0.7% and 1.4% more compared to 2019.

From January to July this year, 333,202 passengers arrived in our country on 2,438 flights, which is 11% and 5.2% more, compared to the same period of 2022.

During the Operación Toca Puertas tour in San Francisco, they accompany the conductor of sector, the Undersecretary of Tourism, Humberto Hernández Haddad; the Director General of Promotion and International Affairs, Emmanuel Rey; the Secretary of Tourism Development of Yucatan, Michelle Fridman Hirsch.

As well as Héctor Tejada Shaar, President of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Concanaco Serviytur); Judith Guerra Aguijosa, President of the Mexican Group of Associations of Travel Agencies and Tourism Businesses (GMA); Rebeca Bravo Carranza, Vice Chair of the Cancun Downtown Hotel Committee of the Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association; Clotilde Houzelle, member of the National Council of AC Tourist Services Exporters (Conexstur); Alejandra Arias Alcalá, Commercial Manager (USA) of Volaris; Ricardo Segovia Gasque, Chairman of the Board of Grupo Médico Costamed; René Luis Rodríguez Cano, CEO of Ketzaltour; among others.