The state of Yucatán went from having 2 to 7 Magical Towns (Pueblos Mágicos) in the current administration ranking 8th. place nationally, along with Querétaro and Zacatecas.
During the International Fair of Magical Towns, Izamal was recognized by the Ibero-American Federation of Tourism Journalists with the Medal of Tourist Merit.
As a result of the appointments of the Magical Towns in Yucatán, the support of the private initiative was obtained, investing almost 3.3 billion pesos.
As part of the tourism promotion activities that have consolidated Yucatán as one of the favorite destinations nationally and internationally, the State Tourism Promotion Secretariat (Sefotur), headed by Michelle Fridman Hirsch and in the company of her delegation, participated for the third consecutive year at the International Fair of Magical Towns 2024 that took place in the city of San Antonio Texas, presenting its seven Magical Towns and its Magical Neighborhood, with its stand, in addition to one more dedicated to crafts of the region that was distinguished by the beauty of its colors and the great Maya legacy that is reflected in them.
During this event, the Ibero-American Federation of Tourism Journalists (FIPETUR) and the Council of Extraordinary Mexico, awarded Izamal (also known as the Yellow City) the Medal of Tourist Merit for its great ancestral, national, and international gastronomic diversity, positioning it again to Yucatán as a state with great history, culture, and tradition. It is noteworthy to mention that Izamal was one of the three Magical Towns recognized with this award.
It is worth remembering that, at the beginning of the current administration of Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal, in Yucatán (October 2018), and with Fridman Hirsch in charge of the State Tourism Promotion Secretariat (Sefotur), Yucatán only had two Magical Towns – Izamal and Valladolid -, while, in 2024, as a result of successful management, the entity has added five new Magical Towns to its offer, Maní and Sisal in 2020, while Espita, Motul and Tekax in 2023, thus adding a total of 7 Magical Towns and Xcalachén as the first Magical Neighborhood of Mérida.
Obtaining the distinction as a Magical Town granted by the Federal Tourism Secretariat (Sectur) contributes to the social and economic development of a destination as it brings benefits such as the investment of resources, which will serve to expand and improve aspects of town, ranging from the appearance of the facades, the training of businesses, artisans and gastronomy, as well as the creation and improvement of local tourist products, which, in turn, will become detonators of the local and regional economy.
Aware of these benefits, the state Tourism Promotion Agency (Sefotur) and the communities and their representatives developed a strategy for the Decentralization of Tourism, in which the advantages of adding more municipalities to this distinguished list were considered.
Today, with its seven Magical Towns, Yucatán has tied, along with Querétaro and Zacatecas, for eighth place nationally, showing that it can grow in obtaining other appointments. These events are undoubtedly part of the actions that have led the destination to consolidate itself as one of the favorites of national and international travelers.
Proof of this was the special recognition of Maní, which has also held, since 2021, the international title of the first “Best Tourism Village” in Mexico, awarded by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), making it part of a very select list of tourist destinations in the world that are decorated for their management and a great example of Rural and Community Tourism.
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