Mérida, Yucatán — The natural attractions of Yucatán, particularly its cenotes, have become the state’s top attractions these days.
And Chichén Itzá and other archaeological sites have been pushed to second place. That’s the word from Jorge Escalante Bolio, president of the Tourism Business Council of Yucatan (Cetur), who has been in touch with tour operators from around the country.
At the end of the year, Cetur will offer training to tour operators and travel agents from Mexico’s largest cities including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Villahermosa. Tour providers will learn how to “sell” Yucatán.
Cetur has already trained 180 travel agents in Puebla, Querétaro and León.
Tourists from within the country comprise 80 percent of the market.
Escalante Bolio said that the training lists the attractions and distances between them, and classifies attractions as archeological, colonial, haciendas and convention facilities.
“The hook is to approach them and give them the assurance that they have knowledge because the travel agent does not normally sell a destination that he does not know,” said Escalante Bolio. “And since it is practically impossible for all travel agents to know Mérida and Yucatán at the moment, we approach them. The agents receiving this training gain knowledge that gives them security and hence generates sales.”
Sources: Sipse, Diario de Yucatán
