Mérida, Yucatán — The Yucatán government, through its Tourism Promotion Secretariat (Sefotur), has launched a 2026 Strengthening Plan for the state’s seven Magical Towns: Espita, Izamal, Maní, Motul, Sisal, Tekax, and Valladolid.
The initiative aims to boost tourism competitiveness, preserve cultural identity, and promote sustainable development. It aligns with the federal Tourism Secretariat’s National Strategy for Strengthening Magical Towns, helping these municipalities maintain and enhance their designations.
Training and Advisory
Since early 2026, Sefotur has coordinated with local governments through in-person and virtual working groups, specialized technical advice, and workshops on tourism identity, product innovation, public policy, and investment attraction. Officials are also tracking previous evaluations to address areas for improvement and improve visitor experiences.
Municipal Participation
The state agency convened tourism, economic development, and public works officials from each municipality, along with members of citizen committees and councils, to involve local stakeholders in planning and strengthening the destinations. This inter-institutional effort aims to create a comprehensive vision for tourism development aligned with sustainability, urban planning, and regional economic growth.
Preparing for the National Tianguis
A key goal is for all seven towns to arrive well-prepared for the next Magical Towns Tianguis, scheduled for November in Tampico, Tamaulipas. Municipalities will work with updated files and institutional tools reflecting progress in tourism planning, local development, and sustainability.
As an incentive, Sefotur will award participation certificates to municipalities that complete program activities, which will be included in evaluation processes before the federal Tourism Secretariat.
