Mexico’s Travel Industry Relies on Local Culture, Gastronomy

Highlighting the economic value of Mexican gastronomy, Salvador Sanchez, Mexico’s Deputy Secretary of Quality and Regulation of Tourism stressed on the fact that Mexican gastronomy, Untangible Patrimony of Humanity is today a pillar of this country’s culture.
 
He made the comment during the inauguration of the International Festival of Gastronomy and Wine of Mexico, Morelia en Boca.
 
He highlighted that 30 percent of what tourists spend in the country corresponds to food adding t the food industry generates 1.7 million of direct Jobs and 3.8 million of indirect employment.
 
The sixth edition of “Morelia en boca” had the presence of 25 chefs, 16 traditional cooks, 40 producers and 30 exhibitors, as well as workshops, tasting and dinners designed by chefs of the state of Michoacan.
 
This touristic activity generates an economic income of 183 billion pesos (some 10 billion dollars), equivalent to two percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
Since 2010, traditional Mexican cooking is part of the Untangible Patrimony of Humanity awarded by UNESCO, a form of “approaching the tourist to our culture, identity, costumes and traditions”.