Mexico Offers Travel Agents 30 Free Fams To Tianguis Turistico In Acapulco

The Tourism Board of Mexico for the first time is inviting professional travel agents from North America to be part of its Hosted Buyer Program at Tianguis Turistico Mexico, being held March 27-30 in Acapulco.

Travel agents invited on the fam will receive complimentary airfare and hotel accommodations in the Acapulco Diamante area (where Justin Bieber this month vacationed in a $1500-a-night room), near the new Mundo Imperial convention center where Tianguis Turistico is being held, and entry to the show. Most meals also will be included.

In its 42^nd year, Tianguis Turistico is the country’s premier tourism showcase. Last year’s show had more than 3,000 exhibitors and 9,000 attendees; as a highlight, Cirque du Soleil CEO Daniel Lamarre presented a video peek at the Vidanta resort complex in Nuevo Vallarta, which will debut in 2018.

Alfonso Sumano Lazcano, regional director of the Tourism Board of Mexico, told TMR the show is designed to “promote all the beauty, the destinations, the products and the service we have to offer in Mexico, and to create the right meeting for Mexico’s service providers and international buyers,”

The Hosted Buyer Program is not new, but until this year was offered only to tour operators. But in a world that for the couple of years was predicting that travel agents were no longer relevant, “we are seeing exactly the opposite,” Lazcano said. “Travel agents are the only ones who can professionally and in a very knowledgeable way guide their clients and give them real-time information—and in order to strengthen our relationship with travel agents, it’s very important to meet them face to face. We believe if you come and see our product first-hand, you will be much more likely to share it with your customers.”

To apply, agents should email nycglobal@visitmexico.com.

“This is a new approach for us, to open a window that wasn’t open before,” Lazcano said. “It’s a great opportunity for travel agents to visit Acapulco, one of the most traditional destinations in Mexico, and learn about what’s new and what we have to offer in the way of hotels and activities for your customers.”

The fam trip is open to travel agents based in the United States or Canada, working in a brick-and-mortar agency or home-based.