MEXICO - One of the lead organisers of the inaugural International Tourism Fair of the Americas (FITA) has described the event as fundamental to the Mexican economy's rapid recovery from recent environmental disaster.
FITA consultative council chairman Alejandro Rojas Diaz Duran told gathered international press that the importance of the event, which opened its doors on 23 September, could not be overstated.
"We have wanted this fair for a long time," said Rojas. "It provides us with a major opportunity in Mexico. The tourism reactivated by the business done at this event will directly benefit the places affected by the consequences of climactic change. Tourism will accelerate economic recovery in these unfortunate places."
Regions such as Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico have been heavily affected by floods and recent storms, including Hurricane Karl.
Tourism is Mexico's second largest source of GDP, accounting for US$30bn each year.
FITA, the inaugural tourism festival for the Americas, kicked off in Mexico City on Thursda with 1500 representatives from more than 55 countries exhibiting Latin America's wares to an expected audience of more than 30,000 visitors.
"We hope that this will be a very profitable event for everybody. Tourism is, after all, founded on the principles of reciprocity," he said.
