MEXICALI.- The Baja California State Government has released report on the actions and results so far this year in the tourism sector. Baja Secretary of Tourism, Oscar Jesus Escobedo Carignan released the results as part of the first State of the State report, in which the growth in the tourism sector and the improvement of Baja California's image nationally and internationally were main topics.

During the press release, Escobedo stated that the state has invested 45.8 million pesos in twenty different promotion campaigns, advertising on the radio, television and in written and online press; this is a 22% increase when compared to 2013.

"One of the direct assignments by Baja Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid since the start of his term was to optimize and invest strongly in promoting and positioning the State of Baja California", said Escobedo.

Escobedo detailed that during the first year of this administration, at least 450 tourism events were implemented by SECTURE and promoted via various outlets, and an additional 809,000 pesos were invested to sponsor events such as the off-road race Baja 1000, 500, and 250; the Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride, Agrobaja, the Wine Harvest Festivals, Baja Culinary Fest, among others.

"We are working on a new promotional video for the State, focused on the highlights of each destination, to sell the State as a very well-rounded package where you can do all sorts of activities, from luxuries vacations with first-class food and wine, to camping in two of our protected parks, or even attending to your medical needs" said Escobedo.

He added that they are working on diversifying the touristic offering in the State, to capture the widest market possible.

According to Escobedo, "currently, the Wine Route is the second most favored destination for Mexican nationals, according to the Federal Secretary of Tourism, which makes it an anchor for Baja California. However,

we aren't limiting ourselves to that, but rather we are focusing on other segments such as Adventure Tourism, Medical Tourism, Convention Tourism, and of course Gastronomic Tourism, just to name a few."

He said that in addition to Social Tourism Programs, at least 500 tourism establishments have received assistance throughout the state, and 200,000 families have received promotions and discounts in the process.

"One of our priorities is that Baja Californians can be tourists in their own State, so that they can learn about all of the inherent greatness that this state offers; this is something that we address in our 'Be a Tourist in Your State' campaign".

In terms of executive projects that are in the works, Escobedo states that the creation of a second touristic port in the southern part of the state as an intermediate destination between Ensenada and Los Cabos is one project. This would bring a great level of competitiveness to Baja California and would capture more interest of cruise companies.

"We are making progress with this project, and we already have an increase of 50% in arrivals of cruise ships this year when compared to last, with more than 700,000 people disembarking in the State by the end of this year; but we still have a great area of opportunity and we are committed to that" said Escobedo.

In terms of medical tourism, there has been a generation of 1.2 million visits to the state which has result in an economic income of more than 400 million dollars, this being another very important areas of opportunity, and a priority for the Secretary of Tourism.

"We have obtained great results, and we are very enthusiastic about what lies ahead, which is why the State Government in collaboration with the private sector has achieved such great results this first year of the administration," concluded Escobedo.

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