Guadalajara Plans to Partner with Puerto Vallarta in Boosting Tourism Jessica Montevago - Travel Market Report
go to original May 25, 2016

Charreadas, a competitive sport, is similar to American rodeos.

Known as Latin America’s Silicon Valley, Guadalajara is looking to expand beyond the niche and make a push into leisure tourism. And it's asking travel agents to help.

“Travel agents tell a story, and that gives confidence to the traveler, while at the OTAs it’s more operational. So agents are very powerful as the advisors for tourism,” Gustavo Staufert Buclon, promotion director for Guadalajara, told Travel Market Report.

A cultural hub of Mexico, Guadalajara is known for mariachis, hot sauce, and caballeros, or Mexican cowboys. “It’s the color of Mexico and the traditions of Mexico,” he said.
 
Only 30 minutes away is the town of Tequila, birthplace of the popular spirit of the same name. Tourists can learn about the Tequila making process at distilleries scattered throughout the area, including popular Tequila producer Jose Cuervo.

As part of its marketing, the city is partnering with neighboring Puerto Vallarta, which Staufert Buclon calls the “most Mexican of the Mexican beaches.” He suggests visitors start in Puerto Vallarta, then stop in Tequila for a night or two—about a three-hour drive—before heading to Guadalajara for the remainder of their stay.

“It’s a nice segue, you can do cultural things and still get the sun and beach vacation Mexico is known for. That’s the trend today, people don’t want to just visit one single place, they want to touch many different dots on the way around.”

Read the rest at Travel Market Report.