Country promoted as ideal for adventure enthusiasts
Story: IAN STALKER photos: ATMEX
Antonio del Rosal wants those considering a Mexico vacation to realize that not all the water that would await them in the Latin American country is placid and drop-dead gorgeous. In fact, del Rosal notes the country also offers visitors turbulent water and that, he says, is a good thing.
del Rosal is with Mexico City-based Experiencias Genuinas, which promotes adventure activities, such as white-water rafting and kayaking, and says those sorts of pursuits tend to be overshadowed by the many beaches that are at the core of Mexican tourism.
“Mexico has formidable beaches with world class infrastructure, but we are convinced — based on several surveys from different authorities, and our own contact with travel advisors — that contemporary travellers are looking for more than all-inclusive resorts,” says del Rosal, who was on hand in Mexico City in March for Mexican tourism show Tianguis, updating show participants on available adventure experiences in Mexico.
“Culture, nature, gastronomy and real connections with some of the most welcoming communities in many — if not most — other ‘under the radar’ destinations in Mexico is where our treasure cove resides. These ‘deep’ experiences can easily be combined with a resort experience at the beginning or at the end of your immersion for a unique, unbeatable travel experience.”
Experiencias Genuinas began life in 2008 to help emerging destinations become a part of the travel and tourism economy. It does what del Rosal describes as in-depth destination strategy and development consulting, and has several tools to aid the process, including ATMEX, its flagship, trade-only congress, which it has held for 11 consecutive years.
“ATMEX has become the most respected travel event focused on emerging destinations — specifically adventure, cultural, nature and rural destinations — in Mexico and [the rest of] Latin America,” del Rosal states, adding ATMEX’s “focus is on business development and new partnerships for buyers and suppliers with a very focused type of experience in mind.”
del Rosal says there’s no shortage of adventurous activities for Experiencias Genuinas to promote.
“Mexico is a huge country, with extreme contrasts in terms of climate, topography, and elevation,” he notes. “This geographic diversity is the reason Mexico is one of the few mega-diverse countries in the world, ranking 5th out of 17 in terms of biodiversity. This allows for a wide variety of top-notch activities in the country, where you can do everything except snow skiing at a competitive level. Mexico is a mountain-climbing paradise, particularly for beginners since few countries offer 5 vehicle-accessible mountains between 4,000 and 5,600 meters. Ideal training ground to tackle some of the greatest peaks in the world.
“We also have some of the best trekking and mountain biking opportunities in the world in states like Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, Oaxaca, the State of Mexico and Mexico City to name a few. And there is a long list of other destinations which cater to some of the most demanding scuba divers, cavers, whitewater kayakers and rafters, kite-surfers, birders, sailors, paragliders, sea-kayakers and rock climbers to name a few. All these usually are one flight away from the main markets in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada.
del Rosal says adventure activities are found throughout Mexico, but at different proficiency levels. But there are iconic destinations in Mexico known as world class for specific activities, he continues. “Our recommendation is to connect with professional local outfitters to make sure you have the ultimate, safe adventure or nature-based experience, or to add on some adventure activity to your beach, or business travel experience. Who would imagine that Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey could be adventure hot-spots!”
del Rosal says those who limit themselves to beach destinations on Mexico vacations are generally “missing out on the true beauty of the country and its people. We fully acknowledge that there is also a perception of insecurity which probably holds some people back from going out into the ‘uncharted’ territory, but as a father of 3 and second-generation U.S. citizen living in Mexico, I can guarantee that these cartel ‘hot spots’ are not the norm. We can travel freely throughout the country — using common sense of course — and relying on the vast local expertise of specialized guides and operators. Our ATMEX Network provides access to over 1,500 companies and 12,000 professionals who would be delighted to show you a side of Mexico which will probably change most tourists perception of the country, and most probably convince them of reconsidering their beach-only escapade.”
Meanwhile, del Rosal says travel advisors are key to help Experiencias Genuinas change perceptions, broaden travel offerings and generate at least 25% growth in visitations to Mexico.
“One in four travellers world-wide are now considered adventure travellers, and Mexico is performing way below its market share in this regard. We are a close, friendly, inexpensive country waiting to be discovered,” he adds.
More information can be found at experienciasgenuinas.com.
