Marketers From Closed Mexico Tourism Office Go Out on Their Own

The sudden closure of most of the Mexico Tourism Board’s offices earlier this year was a stunning blow for many Mexican destinations, particularly those without the name recognition of Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or Los Cabos. It was also a blow for travel advisors who sell Mexico and relied on the training and marketing support the tourism board provided.

Enterprising former staffers from the tourism board’s Los Angeles office, which had been highly successful in generating business from the important U.S. West Coast market, have now formed a destination marketing company to help fill the void. It remains to be seen how successful their efforts will be, but it’s an encouraging start.

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— Maria Lenhart, Travel Advisor Editor

Featured Story

Mexico Tourism Marketing Gap Leads Ex-Board Staffers to Launch New Company: The true results of the Mexican government’s dismantling of its tourism board likely won’t be known for years, but former staffers in the Los Angeles office have formed a new marketing company they hope will fill in the gap. Keep an eye on neighboring tropical destinations, which are looking to swoop in on the opportunity.

Meetings

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Tourism

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Hotels

Hilton Doubles Down on Direct Booking Ad Strategy by Targeting Younger Travelers: Hilton’s new ad campaign rollout last year clearly opened the company’s eyes to reaching younger generations to build its leisure business.

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Business Travel

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Airlines

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Skift Travel Advisor Editor Maria Lenhart [mbl@skift.com] curates the Skift Travel Advisor Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday. Have a story idea? Or a juicy news tip? Want to share a memo? Send her an email.