Search Sponsored by

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise
  • Job Seeker Center

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Humans of Travel Podcast
  • Trade Secrets Podcast
  • Coronavirus and Travel

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Immersive Family Experiences

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Kelly Rosenfeld // (c) 2012 Kelly Rosenfeld
Kelly RosenfeldSenior Editor

Share

Industry Q&A: Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism for Mexico's State of Yucatan

Jan 18, 2021
Industry Q&A: Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism for Mexico's State of Yucatan
During the COVID-19 shutdown, a certification for cenotes was created by the Ministry of Tourism.
Credit: 2020 Yucatan Ministry of Tourism

The Mexican state of Yucatan had a remarkable year in 2019, welcoming an increasing number of visitors and making huge investments in its tourism offerings. And even through the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state is dedicated to improving its tourism infrastructure and emerging as a better destination, all while continuing to welcome U.S. travelers.

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Here, the state’s minister of tourism, Michelle Fridman, shares updates and insights on what travelers can expect from a Yucatan vacation.

What should clients who are planning to travel to Mexico know about traveling to the state of Yucatan?
The state of Yucatan is an open destination for every traveler right now. Yucatan has been doing a really good job with health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also preparing to become a destination with high standards for biosecurity. We have our own certification program for our entire industry — airlines, airports, transportation, hotels, restaurants and guides — in order to offer a safer destination. Most of our infrastructure and services are currently open. But COVID-19 is a crisis that we have to deal with, and keep dealing with during the next months.

What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing now?
I’d say the challenges are also opportunities. We’ve been using this crisis not only to survive, but also to become a better destination.

In the last few months, we’ve been creating different strategies to become a more intelligent destination, with more digital and technological experiences. For example, most of the menus in our restaurants are already available with a QR code, and many new hotels offer the opportunity to check in through a cell phone. That way, visitors don’t even have to visit the front desk to check in; they can go straight to their room with their smartphone.

Minister of Tourism for Mexico’s State of Yucatan
Minister of Tourism for Mexico’s State of Yucatan
Credit: 2021 Michelle Fridman

How else is Yucatan evolving right now?
From the beginning of this administration, we’ve been working on the goal of becoming a sustainable destination. For example, during the shutdown, we created a program of certification for cenotes, which we didn’t have before. We’ve been working on different programs for decentralizing tourism. We not only have Chichen Itza and Merida, we have 106 different municipalities. We want tourism to become a development opportunity for each one of them. We created different programs in our Maya villages, for example.

What are some of Yucatan’s main draws for travelers during and after COVID-19?
We know right now that tourists are more willing to go and visit archeological sites, natural reserves and beaches because [they offer] open spaces. Yucatan state has a lot of things to offer: the magical town of Valladolid; the colonial city of Izamal, which is a city painted all in yellow; or the amazing and vibrant capital of Merida.

Yucatan as a state is sometimes confused with the Yucatan peninsula, and it’s important for us to let people know that we are not Cancun. Travelers discover that we have pink lakes, beaches full of flamingos, cenotes and archeological sites, and sometimes they regret that they didn’t know about Yucatan before. It’s also important for us to invite people to [engage in] regional travel with our neighbor, Quintana Roo.

How can advisors stay up to date on Yucatan’s offerings?
We have a new website, which is an amazing tool. [Advisors] will be able to find products in our different regions. And now they’ll be able to find a lot of information on COVID-19. For example, which companies have the new certification [for COVID-19 safety].

I also want to mention the Tianguis Turistico [conference] in Yucatan. We decided to postpone it because of the COVID-19 crisis, but we will be holding the event in September 2021. So that will also be an amazing opportunity for agents to better get to know Yucatan.

The Details
Yucatan Ministry of Tourism
www.yucatan.travel

During the COVID-19 pandemic, TravelAge West will remain a trusted resource for our readers now and long after this crisis is over, and will continue to publish articles on a variety of travel industry topics, destinations and more to inspire future trips. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, please send a message to [email protected]

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

What It's Like to Golf in Mexico Now

What It's Like to Golf in Mexico Now

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Mexico
  2. What the COVID-19 Vaccine Means for Travel to Mexico
  3. Will Alaska Cruises Actually Set Sail in 2021?
  4. These Hotels Offer COVID-19 Testing in the Caribbean
  5. French Polynesia Is Closing Borders to Tourism
  1. CDC Requires Negative COVID-19 Test for Entry Into the U.S.
  2. French Polynesia Is Closing Borders to Tourism
  3. Remembering Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Founder of Sandals Resorts International
  4. How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Mexico
  5. These Hotels Offer COVID-19 Testing in the Caribbean

More Stories Like This

Industry Q&A: Sean Dee, Executive Vice President and CMO for Outrigger Hospitality Group

Industry Q&A: Sean Dee, Executive Vice President and CMO for Outrigger Hospitality Group

Virgin Voyages Is Ready to Make Waves in 2021

Virgin Voyages Is Ready to Make Waves in 2021

TAW1130_FIELDNOTES_HERO

Industry Q&A: Mirko Capodanno, Western U.S. Manager for Switzerland Tourism

Contiki caters to travelers ages 18 to 35 years old.

Industry Q&A: Adam Armstrong, CEO of Contiki

Playa Hotels & Resorts' Executive Vice President and CCO on COVID-19 Strategy

Playa Hotels & Resorts' Executive Vice President and CCO on COVID-19 Strategy

What the Future Holds for Luxury Cruise Travel, According to Regent Seven Seas Cruises

What the Future Holds for Luxury Cruise Travel, According to Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Planet Hollywood Is Coming to Cancun

Planet Hollywood Is Coming to Cancun

How to Effectively Train for an Outdoor Adventure

How to Effectively Train for an Outdoor Adventure

What to Consider When Buying or Selling a Travel Agency

What to Consider When Buying or Selling a Travel Agency

Industry Q&A: John White, Sales and Marketing Director for Maui's Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Industry Q&A: John White, Sales and Marketing Director for Maui's Kaanapali Beach Hotel

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • Travel Weekly China
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME
Copyright © 2021 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 100 Lighting Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094-3626 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here