Tourist policies in Mexico during the first decades of the 20th century: lessons from the past to build the future

Abstract

The strategies developed by mexico have allowed it to position itself favorably in the global tourism indicators. However, several studies point to the negative impacts of this activity on cultural sites and goods, as well as the limited benefit for local communities, which hinders their full contribution in the economy and in the reduction of poverty, a purpose indicated in the plan national development achieving these objectives requires the transformation of tourism policies, a topic in which the analysis of mexico's historical experience is an aspect addressed in a limited way.

In this context, this communication aims to analyze and assess mexico's tourism policies during the first decades of the 20th century. The investigation is approached from the analysis of specialized bibliography, legislation, testimonies and press releases of the time. The results of the investigation show that the current programs of cultural tourism in mexico are continuity and evolution of public initiatives developed in the temporality indicated, as a response to a national context of political, social and financial crisis. To this end, planning, laws and an administrative framework were developed that would allow the economic and cultural legacy of mexico to be economically exploited, viewing tourism as an additional instrument in programs aimed at achieving the integration of marginalized communities in national life and progress, which is valuable experience that can contribute to the formulation of current and future policies of this activity in the country.