Tianguis of Travel Alternatives in Mexico
by Ron Mader

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Mexico - From April 18-21, 2000 the Mexican government celebrated the 25th anniversary of its annual Tianguis Turistico tourism fair in Acapulco. The event was organized by the national Tourism Secretariat (SECTUR) -- http://www.mexico-travel.com/ which created an official website for the event -- http://www.tianguisacapulco.com.mx.

As the webhost of Planeta.com, I focused on the eco-friendly services and destinations, rather than the traditional offerings. During the conference, I posted new messages online the "Red Mexicana de Ecoturismo Anuncios" mailing list.

As a journalist who writes about environmental travel and ecotourism in Mexico for both international and national media -- not to mention the Planeta.com website -- I treat Tianguis as a terrific opportunity to find out what's new or what's changed in Mexico. It helps me in my work. I believe that the next ten years will be a "green era" in the development and success of "alternative tourism" in Mexico. Events such as this are key.

The following are observations about the event, suggestions and resources -- bibliographies, contacts and mailing lists -- for those interested in "turismo alternativo" in Mexico.

Ron Mader, Webhost
Planeta.com: Planeta.com
http://www.planeta.com

Summary

For many years, Tianguis has developed a reputation for being a "party." Travel agents get a trip to Acapulco as a "perk" but professionals are beginning to stay away, preferring to do business via the Internet or via their own circle of contacts. That said, for many of the long-time Mexican tourism professionals, Tianguis does hold the attraction of being the place where one can meet friends and colleagues.

The highlight of the event -- and I am biased here -- was the Alternative Tourism Exhibition Pavilion, organized and designed by Marlene Ehrenberg, president of Amtave -- Mexico's national ecotourism and adventure tourism association and sponsored by Banamex with support from SECTUR.

As an "amigo de Amtave," Planeta.com was invited to share a booth, along with two other magazines, Kuanum and Aventura Vertical. The pavilion provided the most visually attractive and interesting conference space for members of Amtave and other "alternative tourism" ventures. Located outside on the Xochitl Terrace, the pavilion was decorated with panels depicting Mexican scenery. No walls were constructed between the booths. This gave the area a feeling of unity and allowed the fresh breeze to pass through as well.

News

Coahuila announced the opening of the Museo del Desierto. Details are posted online.

Kudos

SECTUR's Ana Griselda Lopez also deserves a special mention. Working in the secretariat's division of alternative tourism, she spoke briefly but eloquently on the domestic market for ecotourism and adventure tourism.

Finally, it's worth mentioning the name of Marlene Ehrenberg once again. Her tenure as president of Amtave ends this summer, and besides organizing the pavilion, she gave a press conference on Mexican ecotourism that was an enthusiastic appraisal of the market as well as a call for the tourism industry to protect both natural and cultural environments.

Suggestions

For example, there's no reason why SECTUR or any of the state or city tourism offices can't distribute press releases via email. The same goes for the airlines. One journalist I spoke to complained that even though he writes for the airline's in-flight magazine, the best way to find out when the airline adds a flight to Mexico is to pester them at Tianguis.

Likewise, sources for financing continue to be very cloudy for most tourism developers, particularly those working with community or small-scale projects.

The Alternative Tourism Exhibition Pavilion was a success and should be repeated at national expos as well as international fairs.

There doesn't seem to be a good reason why the "sales" area is separated from the "exhibition" area. It was often difficult to talk to someone who would be on the other floor.

Applications for the "Lente de Plata" and "Pluma de Plata" awards need to be sent out in a timely manner. Neither SECTUR's international press office in Mexico City nor the Air, Sea, Land Quest company that organized Tianguis sent me an application. What I did receive - circuitously via a fax from the Miami office - arrived after the initial deadline. Clarity is very important in making sure that the awards are meaningful.

I'm not sure who will pay attention to these suggestions, but as long as I have your ear, here are some other items on my personal wish list. I'd like to see the following at every tourism conference:

• Meaningful panel discussions -- about the issues that interest travelers and travel agents -- instead of officials reading from scripts

• Author book readings

• Travel documentaries showcased in a special theater, instead of running as a "backdrop" for someone's presentation

• A press kit with current addresses, emails, phone numbers and websites (no need for fax numbers, this is the new millennium!) for all tourism offices in the country and abroad

• Conference participant list

• A parallel conference conducted online the Web for those unable to attend the physical event

Post Tianguis

Resources: Part One
Mailing Lists

Planeta Mexico
- This mailing list is a synthesis of information about ecotourism in Mexico. It is *not* a discussion list. To join Red Mexicana, send a blank email to planeta_mexico-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Red Mexicana de Ecoturismo: Anuncios
- Ecotourism-related information is welcome here. Members post short conference/event/tour announcements, news, job vacancies, etc *in the field of ecotourism.* I forward messages about new websites and providers here. We encourage the discussion of projects and services that work toward environmental conservation *and* local development. To join this list, send a blank email to red-mexicana-anuncios-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Red Mexicana de Turismo de Aventura
- Adventure tourism info is welcome here. Members post short announcements, news, job vacancies, etc *in the field of adventure tourism.* Rafting, mountain climbing, and information about other extreme sports should be sent to this group. To join this list, send a blank email to red-mexicana-aventura-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Red Mexicana de Turismo
- General tourism info about Mexico is welcome here. Members post short announcements, news, job vacancies, statistics, tourism development projects, etc. I receive a great deal of info from museums and state tourism offices. If it's not ecotourism/adventure tourism-related, I'll post it here. To join this list, send a blank email to red-mexicana-turismo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Authors/Journalists at Tianguis

Book News

Bruce and June Conord, authors of Adventure Guide to the Yucatan were present and preparing to update the second edition of this recommend guidebook.

"Mexico" Mike Nelson unveiled the new edition of Live Better South of the Border in Mexico. Author's Website: http://www.mexicomike.com/

David Lida signed copies of his collection of stort stories Travel Advisory : Stories of Mexico.

Joe Cummings sent news of his new Mexico City guidebook. Bruce Whipperman presented copies of his new Pacific Mexico Handbook and Oaxaca Handbook

I brought copies of my guidebook, Mexico: Adventures in Nature. It just seemed the thing to do.

Magazines

Dalilia Calvario and Carlos Gonzales presented the latest issues of Aventura Vertical, a bi-monthly magazine devoted to mountain sports.

Jorge Chavez de la Peña, editor of Kuanum -- the official journal of the Mexican Association of Travel Agencies (AMAV) -- unveiled the latest issue and promoted the upcoming "Ecoturismo: Turismo Ambientalmente Planificado" workshop. Details are online the Planeta.com website: http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/ecoturismo/jcpindex.html.

David Simmons was on hand with issues of The Mexico File, a recommended newsletter that probes the depth and breadth of Mexican tourism.

Other Media News

Bob Brooke (website: http://www.geocities.com/bobbrooke/) convened the latest meeting of the Mexican Writers Alliance. MWA website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mexico-writers-alliance

Yaotzin Botello covered the event for Reforma newspaper.

Paulo Kalapis and Marco Guillen unveiled the new design of the Mexview website.

Carla and Herb Felsted began formulation for their publication ventures after putting their successful journal Mexican Meanderings on sabbatical.

Acapulco on the Web

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