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Mexico City Tuesday 25 January 2011
Maestro Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, Constitutional President of the United Mexican States;
Dip. Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, Congressional Tourism Commission President;
Mtro. Dávila Flores, CONCANACO-SERVYTUR President;
Mr. Mario Sánchez Ruiz,Coordinating Entrepreneur Council President;
Mr. Pablo Azcarraga Andrade, National Tourist Business Council President;
Mr. Charur Karim Saade, CONCANACO’s Vice President of Tourism;
Mr. Miguel Torruco Marques, National Tourism Confederation President;
Mr. Juan Vela Ruiz, Mexican Association of Tourist Developers President;
Mr. José Méndez Fabre, Mexican Securities Intermediaries Association President;
Mr. Enrique Solana Sentiés,Secretary General of CONCANACO-SERVYTUR MEXICO;
Mr. Marco Antonio Arvizu, SERVYTUR CONCANACO MEXICO Treasurer;
Mr. Carlos Guzmán Bofill, Director General of PROMEXICO;
Mr. Walfre Ibarra Escobar, Interconfederation Vice president;
Mr. Braulio Cardenas Cantu, Restaurant and Spicy Foods industry National Chamber President;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Mexico remains in the path of growth. Recent data indicate so.
Our economy grew at a rate of 5% in 2010, more than 700 thousand jobs were generated this year and growth expectations are found in 4.8%.
This is good news for our country. A few days ago, I shared this with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Spain and with groups of entrepreneurs in the tourism sector due to the presence of our country in the International Tourism Fair.
Both expressed their satisfaction with the indicators that our economy shows.
The Spanish minister told me that when things go well in Mexico, Spain also does well and the growth of our economy is highly valued because of the large number of Spanish investment in Mexico.
For their part, investors reconfirmed their confidence in our country, and groups such as Barceló, Riu and Melia told us that they will continue increasing their presence in Mexico hotel.
The potential we have in tourism is recognized abroad.
Tourism has become a key activity for the country's development.
That is so because of what it means in the generation of jobs, in its participation in the Gross Domestic Product as well as in foreign exchange earnings.
But it is so also because of what it represents socially and culturally: it generates and reinforces a sense of belonging and pride to promote our roots and our cultural and natural diversity.
Mexico is by its tourism activity, one of the ten most important worldwide.
The efforts of all those who integrate the value chain have enabled us to stay at that level for many years.
But we have the potential and the assets to grow and to be among the top five.
Achieving this is a joint and coordinated effort of all actors that comprise the sector.
To that end, last year, the President of the Republic instructed me to work in a sector strategic plan that was inclusive of all those involved in tourism.
We defined priorities and worked with everyone.
At that call, and working together with industry participants, the mainstreaming of tourism has been recognized where it is essential that the different levels of government, legislators, business and labor organizations, universities and the media coordinate and align their efforts into common actions that will give content to a public policy that, in addition to being inclusive, has a deep social significance that will:
- Create jobs;
- Enhance and encourage investment;
- Increase incomes to improve the quality of life in many communities;
- Give sustainability to development;
- Fight inequality and poverty.
On the other hand, tourism allows us to introduce ourselves to the world with the best of us. It is a tool to improve the image of our country.
In that effort, business organizations participation is essential.
I want to acknowledge Jorge Davila’s efforts at Concanaco, through their "Let’s say good things about Mexico"campaign for their support to the sector as well as Mario Sánchez Ruiz, Chairman of the Business Coordinating Council.
Mexican business organizations related to tourism are strong and committed. They act with a deep social and business sense and that gives us confidence to achieve our goals. I want to acknowledge their leaders’ efforts to build fundamental agreements.
The National Tourism Convention is part of that great national dialogue the sector is carrying out.
Mr. President:
On behalf of the sector I want to acknowledge your huge commitment and support to a strategic activity for the country. Your efforts are recognized not only here in our country but also internationally, by the Secretary General of World Tourism Organization who has stated that he does not know any other president who knows so well the sector and is deeply committed to it. That fills us with pride and commitment.
I am sure that with the unity we are convened to by the President of the Republic, we will be allowed to give a huge boost to the sector.
Thank you very much.
