Tourism Secretary Presents to State Congress

By Delia Ruelas

Baja California continues to establish itself as a leading national and international tourism destination, according to Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez, the state’s Secretary of Tourism.

Aguíñiga presented his report before the Tourism and Investment Commission of the State Congress on Tuesday, November 26, highlighting significant strides in preparing for the Tianguis Turístico México 2025, Latin America’s most important tourism event.

The secretary revealed that 16 working subcommittees have been formed, each comprising representatives from the state’s tourism sector, the federal government, and private industry. These groups are tasked with managing the logistics of the event.

Aguíñiga announced that accommodations have already been secured in host hotels across the region, including 10 in Rosarito, 14 in Ensenada, and four in Tecate, offering more than 7,100 rooms. He extended his gratitude to the hoteliers involved in the planning process, specifically acknowledging Andrés Martínez Bremer of Ensenada and Hugo Antonio Torres (Ramírez) of Rosarito for their commitment to supporting this landmark event.

The secretary also detailed plans for seven transportation routes connecting host hotels to the Baja California Center, as well as facilitating travel to various off-site activities during the event.

Additionally, a dedicated website has been launched to provide comprehensive information about the destination and the Tianguis Turístico 2025. Media outlets specializing in tourism are also partnering to promote the event.

Four universities are participating in this large-scale project, with students from programs such as Tourism, Gastronomy, and Business Administration contributing to the event’s logistics.

Aguíñiga highlighted the state’s sustained efforts over the past three years to position itself as a premier tourism destination, culminating in the selection of Baja California as the host for the Tianguis Turístico México 2025.

He also noted that Baja California will once again host the Caribbean Series, demonstrating its ability to accommodate high-profile events.

The secretary provided key tourism statistics:

• Baja California welcomed 28.2 million visitors, generating an economic impact of 119.8 billion pesos.
• The state recorded an average hotel occupancy rate of 51.91%, 70.43 million border crossings, 4.05 million passengers at the CBX terminal, and 1 million cruise ship passengers.
• Baja California contributed 69.97 billion pesos to the National Tourism GDP, ranking as the seventh-largest contributor.
• The state attracted 148.2 million USD in foreign direct investment in tourism, making it the third highest in the country.

During his presentation, Aguíñiga was joined by his team and tourism promoters from across the state. He emphasized the achievements made under the leadership of Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, celebrating Baja California’s growing prominence in the tourism sector.