Mexico Tourism Board

Mexico Tourism Board
Consejo de Promocion Turistica de Mexico
Agency overview
Formed1999
Dissolved2019
JurisdictionGovernment of Mexico
Headquarters
  • Mexico City, Mexico
Parent agency
Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR)

The Mexico Tourism Board (Spanish: Consejo de Promoción Turística de México (CPTM)) was a Mexican government agency responsible for promoting Mexico as an international tourism destination.[1][2][3][4] Established in 1999, the organization coordinated national and international tourism marketing campaigns in collaboration with the Secretariat of Tourism (Secretaría de Turismo, SECTUR), state tourism authorities, and private‑sector stakeholders.[5][6][7]

The agency operated until 2018, when it was dissolved as part of a restructuring of federal tourism promotion policy.[8] Administrative liquidation continued into 2019.[9] Following its closure, tourism promotion efforts became more decentralized and were increasingly carried out by regional tourism boards and private‑sector initiatives.

History

Early tourism promotion efforts

Government involvement in tourism promotion in Mexico dates to the early twentieth century, when federal authorities began coordinating efforts to develop the tourism sector.

  • In 1928, the Comisión Pro-Turismo (CPT) was established within the Ministry of the Interior to study and recommend measures for developing a national tourism industry.[10][11]
  • In 1929, the agency evolved into the Comisión Mixta Pro-Turismo, formalized through a presidential decree published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación.[12]
  • In 1933, a Department of Tourism was created within the Secretariat of National Economy, incorporating both public- and private-sector participation.[10]
  • In 1973, the National Trust Fund for Tourism Development (Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo, FONATUR) was created to attract investment in tourism infrastructure.[13][14]
  • In 1975, the Secretariat of Tourism (Secretaría de Turismo, SECTUR) was established as the federal authority for tourism policy.[15]
  • Also in 1975, the first Acapulco International Hotel and Travel Agency Fair—later known as Tianguis Turístico—was held.[16][17][18]

Establishment of the CPTM

The CPTM was established in October 1999 to consolidate national tourism promotion efforts. The organization worked in coordination with federal and state governments as well as private‑sector tourism stakeholders. Efforts included managing international marketing campaigns and coordinating promotional activities abroad. The agency maintained representation in key international markets and worked through Mexico’s diplomatic network, including embassies and consulates, to promote tourism to the country.[19]

Operations

During its operation, the CPTM maintained international offices and coordinated large‑scale marketing campaigns that promoted Mexico’s tourism destinations worldwide. The agency also developed initiatives to increase Mexico’s international visibility as a tourist destination.[20] These efforts included initiatives such as the “Visit Mexico” branding campaign,[21] the “Live it to Believe it” campaign,[22] the "A World of Its Own" campaign,[23] and participation in international meetings industry forums.

Meetings and conventions promotion

The CPTM maintained a specialized division focused on promoting Mexico as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). The program worked with international industry organizations and event planners to attract major conventions and business events to Mexico and promote national industry events such as Tianguis Turístico.[24] Prominent figures in the meetings industry included tourism executive Eduardo Chaillo,[25][26] who played a key role in promoting Mexico’s meetings industry internationally, and Lourdes Berho[27][28][29] who focused on strategic marketing and increasing foreign tourist expenditure before the organization's closure.[30][31][32]

Directors General

The Director General served as the chief executive of the CPTM and was responsible for implementing the organization’s national and international tourism promotion strategy in coordination with the Secretariat of Tourism.

Director General Term Notes
Javier Vega Camargo 1999–2002 First director following the creation of the CPTM.[5]
Maria Elena Mancha 2002–2003 [33][34]
Francisco J. Ortiz 2003–2005 [35][36][37]
Magdalena Carral 2006–2006 [38][39][40][41]
Francisco López Mena 2006–2007 Served an interim administrative role while the incoming government finalized its appointment.[42][43]
Óscar Fitch Gómez 2007–2010 [44]
Rodolfo López Negrete[45] 2010–2016 Served under SECTUR secretaries Gloria Guevara, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, and Enrique de la Madrid.[46]
Lourdes Berho[47] 2016–2017
Héctor Flores Santana[48][49] 2017–2019 Oversaw administrative liquidation following the dissolution of the CPTM.[50]

Dissolution

In 2018, during the presidential transition following the election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the incoming administration announced plans to dissolve the CPTM as part of broader government restructuring and budget policy changes.[51][52] The policy prompted debate among tourism industry stakeholders.[53][54] Some supported the shift toward reduced public expenditure and greater private-sector involvement,[55][56] while others expressed concern about the loss of a centralized national marketing strategy.[57][58][59][60][61]

Aftermath and legacy

Following the closure of the CPTM, tourism promotion activities in Mexico became more decentralized. Private‑sector organizations and regional tourism boards assumed greater responsibility for international marketing efforts.[62][63]

Entities created or expanded after the dissolution included regional initiatives such as Fideicomiso de Turismo de Los Cabos (FIPROTUR) and the San Miguel de Allende Tourism Board. Private initiatives such as Visit Mexico USA also emerged to continue international promotion efforts associated with the former Visit Mexico campaign.[64][65][66][21]

The Secretaría de Turismo (SECTUR) continues to serve as the primary federal authority responsible for tourism policy in Mexico.[67] Certain international promotional activities have also been coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) via Mexico’s diplomatic missions abroad.[68][69]

References

  1. ↑ Valladolid, Monica (September 9, 2024). "Señalan falta de recursos con AMLO para promoción turística de México" [They point to a lack of resources under AMLO for tourism promotion in Mexico]. Forbes Mexico. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  2. ↑ Martín, Hugo (September 23, 2019). "Mexico closed its tourism board, so tourist hot spots are going DIY in LA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 11, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ Lucas, Dave (June 1, 2009). "News Channel 8 Live This Morning: Mexico Travel with Eduardo Chaillo". News Channel 8 - Live This Morning with Dave Lucas. Washington D.C. Retrieved April 11, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ Mexico Tourism Board (Jan 27, 2012). "Mexico Poised to Break Tourism Records in 2012". PR Newswire. Retrieved April 12, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. 1 2 Culebro-Moreno, Jorge E.; Askvik, Steinar. "Imitación, aprendizaje y la fundación de una nueva organización: la creación del Consejo Mexicano de Promoción Turística" [Imitation, learning and the founding of a new organization : the creation of the Mexican Council for Tourism Promotion]. Economy, society and territory. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ "The Mexico Tourism Board". Gobierno de Mexico. April 5, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  7. ↑ Godoy, Armando (March 26, 2015). "Cuenta Pública 2014: Consejo de Promoción Turística de México, S.A. de C.V." [Government Official Report: Mexico Tourism Promotion Council, S.A. de C.V.] (PDF). Gobierno de Mexico. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Tourism sector worried as government disbands marketing agency". Mexico News Daily. December 6, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Consejo de Promoción Turística de México, S.A. de C.V., en Liquidación" [Mexico Tourism Board, S.A. de C.V., In Liquidation] (PDF). Cuenta Pública. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Berger, Dina (2006). The Development of Mexico's Tourism Industry: Pyramids by Day, Martinis by Night. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-6635-4.
  11. ↑ EH.NET (December 2006). "Reviews: The Development of Mexico's Tourism Industry: Pyramids by Day, Martinis by Night". Economic History Association. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sectur commemorates 90 years of the start of tourism policy in Mexico". Travel2latam. September 30, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  13. ↑ Smith, Jeffrey S. "Four Generations of International Tourist Destinations in Mexico". Focus on Geography. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ Clancy, Michael. "Mexican Toiurism: Export Growth and Structural Change since 1970". Latin American Research Review. 36 (1). Washington DC: Cambridge Press: 128–150. doi:10.1017/S0023879100018860. Retrieved April 21, 2026 – via Academia.
  15. ↑ Brenner, L. and A. Aguilar 2002: Luxury Tourism and Regional Economic Development in Mexico. Professional Geographer 54 (4), pp. 500–520
  16. ↑ MND Staff (April 9, 2024). "Acapulco hosts delegates from 42 countries for national tourism fair". Mexico News Daily. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  17. ↑ Caribbean News Digital Staff (April 30, 2025). "Tianguis Turístico 2026 Returns to Acapulco for Historic 50th Edition". Caribbean News Digital. Retrieved April 10, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ García Lemus, Jennifer (March 2, 2023). "En la CDMX haremos el mejor Tianguis Turístico de la historia: Miguel Torruco". La Crónica de Hoy. Retrieved April 10, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ Wilkening, David (26 July 2007). "Mexico opens DC office to attract more conventions". Travel Mole. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  20. ↑ Grinberg, Emanuella (March 9, 2012). "Despite bad press and travel warnings, Mexico tourism holds its own". CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. 1 2 López, Zyanya (October 13, 2017). "La marca México gana peso en el mundo" [The Mexico brand is gaining weight in the world]. Expansion. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ↑ Boyle, Chris (September 27, 2013). "Mexico Tourism Board Launches 'Live It to Believe It' Ad Campaign". Elite Traveller. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ↑ Gregory, Lydia (September 26, 2017). "Mexico Tourism Board Unveils 'A World of Its Own'". Travel Pulse. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ↑ MND Staff (March 15, 2019). "Private sector readies tourism marketing agency after feds pull out". Mexico News Daily. Retrieved April 11, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ Albin-Najera, Susie (June 16, 2012). "Mexico Tourism Board's Eduardo Chaillo Named 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry". The Mexico Report. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ↑ Fuentes Juárez, Nancy. "En plena transformación" [In the midst of transformation]. MDC - The Event Planner's Magazine. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ "Lourdes Berho, al frente del CPTM" [Lourdes Berho, head of CPTM]. La Economista. June 17, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ↑ Vargas Montesano, Yasmine (August 31, 2016). "Llamado a la Unidad" [A call to Unity]. MDC - The Meeting Planner's Magazine (116). Orange Communications: 116–117. Retrieved April 15, 2026 – via ISSUU.
  29. ↑ Vargas, Yasmine; Mancada, Juan Luis (August 31, 2016). "La Nueva Era Del Congreso de Congresos" [The New Era of the Congress of Congresses]. MDC - The Meeting Planner's Magazine (116): 130–131. Retrieved April 15, 2026 – via ISSUU.
  30. ↑ Gregory, Lydia (April 21, 2017). "Mexico Tourism Board CEO Lourdes Berho Steps Down". Travel Pulse. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ de la Rosa, Alejandro (November 20, 2021). "Innovación en el producto turístico, la gran oportunidad de evolución para la industria: Lourdes Berho" [Innovation in tourism products, the great opportunity for evolution for the industry: Lourdes Berho]. El Economista. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ↑ Mexico Tourism Board (October 24, 2016). "Mexico Tourism Board Celebrates Day of the Dead". PR Newswire. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ↑ Cuellar, Mireya (April 21, 2003). "Generó el turismo extranjero más de 8 mil mdd en 2002, afirma María Elena Mancha" [Foreign tourism generated more than $8 billion in 2002, says María Elena Mancha]. La Journada.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ↑ Fuentes, Manuel (March 31, 2003). "México refuerza promoción turismo EEUU compensar caída por guerra" [Mexico strengthens US tourism promotion to compensate for decline due to war]. La Nación. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ↑ "México: Francisco J. Ortiz ha sido nombrado director general del consejo de promoción turística" [Mexico: Francisco J. Ortiz has been appointed director general of the tourism promotion council]. Hosteltur. October 1, 2003. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ "De la IP a la alta burocracia" [From the IP to the upper echelons of the bureaucracy]. La Journada. December 29, 2004. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ↑ Zaragoza, Gabriel Leon (September 6, 2006). "Exonera la Función Pública a Francisco Ortiz Ortiz" [The Public Service exonerates Francisco Ortiz Ortiz]. La Journada. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ↑ El Universal Editorial Staff (March 11, 2025). "Markets Media Group presents its Women in Finance Latin America Awards; Magdalena Carral receives Lifetime Achievement Award". El Universal. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ↑ de la Rosa, Alejandro (December 12, 2018). "CPTM: punto final a 19 años" [CPTM: 19-year mark]. El Economista. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ↑ Forbes Staff (June 18, 2018). "Las 100 Mujeres Más Poderosas en México" [The 100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico].{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ↑ Garcia, Miriam Posada (February 14, 2006). "Falta equidad en distribuir los recursos del CPTM: empresarios" [Business leaders say there is a lack of fairness in the distribution of CPTM resources]. La Journada. Retrieved April 16, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ↑ "Relevo inminente en el Consejo de Promoción Turística de México" [Imminent change in Mexico's Tourism Promotion Council]. Hosteltur. October 15, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  43. ↑ "Nombramientos" [Appointments]. La Crónica de Hoy. December 7, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ↑ Higuera, Cecilia (February 12, 2010). "Confirman salida de Óscar Fitch del Consejo de Promoción Turística" [Oscar Fitch's departure from the Tourism Promotion Council confirmed]. La Cronica de Hoya. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. ↑ RR (May 19, 2016). "Rodolfo López Negrete ultima su salida como jefe del CPTM" [Rodolfo López Negrete finalizes his departure as head of the CPTM]. Reportur. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ↑ Weissmann, Arnie (May 24, 2016). "Rodolfo Lopez Negrete will be retiring". Travel Weekly. Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  47. ↑ Travelweek Group (June 17, 2016). "Mexico Tourism Board appoints new CEO Lourdes Berho". Travelweek Group. Retrieved April 14, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ↑ Ministry of Tourism (April 21, 2017). "Nuevo Titular del Consejo de Promoción Turística de México" [New Head of Mexico's Tourism Promotion Council]. Government of Mexico (Gobierno de México). Retrieved April 15, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. ↑ de la Rosa, Alejandro (April 24, 2017). "Héctor Flores Santana sustituirá a Lourdes Berho en dirección del CPTM" [Héctor Flores Santana will replace Lourdes Berho as head of CPTM]. El Economista. Retrieved April 21, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ↑ "According to CPTM tourism in Mexico is not a fashion". Travel2latam. June 18, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ↑ Shapiro, Michael J. (7 December 2018). "Mexico Government Eliminates Tourism Promotion Council". Northstar Meetings Group. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  52. ↑ Efe (26 November 2018). "Congressman confirms the disappearance of Mexico's Tourism Promotion Council". LA Times. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  53. ↑ "Secretary of Tourism of Mexico Confirms the Disappearance of the CPTM". Travel to Latin America. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  54. ↑ Puga, Tláloc (May 12, 2018). "Gobierno de AMLO no escuchó a la IP, dice CNET" [AMLO's government didn't listen to the private sector, says CNET]. El Universal. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  55. ↑ Valadez, Roberto (30 January 2019). "CPTM owes more than 70 million pesos due to lawsuits". Milenio. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  56. ↑ Travelweek Group (12 February 2019). "More reports that the Mexico Tourism Board offices are closing". TravelWeek. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  57. ↑ Stiteler, Rowland (21 January 2019). "Industry Professionals React to the Closing of Mexico's Tourism Board". Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  58. ↑ Clausing, Jeri; Moya, Eric (18 February 2019). "With Mexico Tourism Board closing, private sector seeks promotion options". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  59. ↑ MND Staff (18 March 2019). "Competitors will benefit from withdrawal of tourism marketing funds". Mexico News Daily. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  60. ↑ Valadez, Roberto (March 15, 2019). "El consejo turístico de la IP quedará listo este año" [The IP tourism council will be ready this year]. Milenio. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  61. ↑ De SImine, Mario. "Mexico Business Review 2019". Mexico Business Review. Mexico Business Publications S.A. de C.V. ISBN 978-1-7328256-3-5 – via ISSUU.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: periodical has ISBN (link)
  62. ↑ Leposa, Adam (6 August 2019). "How Destinations in Mexico Have Been Dealing With the Tourism Board's End". Travel Agent Central. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  63. ↑ Sprecher, Mary Helen (9 January 2019). "With the Shuttering of Its National Tourism Board, Mexico Stands to Lose Sports Event Owners". Sports Destination Management. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  64. ↑ Chesnut, Mark. "Mexico Faces Challenges and Opportunities Following Shuttering of Its Tourism Board". TravelAge West. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  65. ↑ Poitevien, Jessica (2 July 2021). "What to Know About Mexico's New Privately Owned Tourism Board". TravelAge West. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  66. ↑ "How the private sector saved Visit Mexico". City Nation Place. April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  67. ↑ Drillinge, Meagan (14 April 2019). "Mexico president faces anxiety at tourism trade show". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  68. ↑ Clarke, Patrick (7 December 2018). "Mexico Tourism Secretary Confirms Liquidation of Tourism Promotion Council". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  69. ↑ Foreign Ministry Office (3 April 2019). "Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ministries Sign Cooperation Agreement". Government of Mexico. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.