Gay Nagle Myers
Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced Mayan World 2012, a program to increase tourism and promote the country’s Mayan heritage throughout next year.
“We want the world to know the splendors of the Mayan civilization, with the end goal of positioning Mexico as a privileged and unique touristic destination,” Calderon said.
The program officially will launch July 21, marking the start of the week that begins the Mayan year, and will run until Dec. 21, 2012, when the Mayan calendar officially ends.
During that time, the Mexican government will promote events in southeastern Mexico’s “Mayan World,” composed of the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo and Yucatan.
The region is home to six of Mexico’s 27 Unesco World Heritage sites, the most found in any country.
Calderon said that the promotion aims to boost tourist activity in the region, “where this incredible civilization was established. We want tourists from Mexico and the world to know Mexico and to explore the riches that this magical region has to offer.”
Enhancement projects under development to better showcase the Mayan legacy include the Palace of Maya Civilization, seven miles from the site of the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, and the Museo del Mundo Maya in Merida.
“The celebration of the end of the Mayan calendar’s cycle is an extraordinary opportunity to promote the great cultural, historical and human heritage that we possess,” said Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara.
Through hosting international exhibits and conferences with leading researchers, Mexico hopes to increase tourism to the Mayan region, which currently receives an average of 250,000 visitors a month.
The program includes the restoration of archaeological sites and the opening of new sites as well as dance festivals, concerts, theatrical performances and gastronomic events.