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Yucatán received 61 Community Tourism Distinctions for an equal number of service providers, strengthening a tourism model that generates direct benefits for communities, boosts the local economy, and preserves the state’s biocultural heritage.
This recognition, granted by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, distinguishes projects managed by Indigenous, Afro-Mexican, and rural communities, and supports their formalization, as well as the consolidation of a tourism offering that is authentic, sustainable, and inclusive.
The awards were presented recently in Tihosuco, Quintana Roo, during an event led by Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora. Of the 61 community tourism service providers recognized by Yucatán, 35 attended the ceremony.
This result reflects the commitment of the Government of the Mayan Renaissance, led by Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena, which has prioritized a tourism model that puts communities at the center and promotes development with shared well-being.
With these distinctions, Yucatán consolidates a network of initiatives that strengthen the local economy and position the state as a leader in community-based tourism. Furthermore, it is expected that more service providers will soon join this recognition program.
The Yucatán delegation was accompanied by the Undersecretary of Sustainable Tourism Development of the Yucatán Tourism Secretariat (Sefotur), Raúl Paz Noriega, as well as staff from the Regional Tourism area.
Since November 2025, Sefotur has provided training, guidance, and follow-up to participants to facilitate their registration and compliance with the requirements necessary to obtain the distinction.
During January, February, and March of this year, the agency reinforced its support to ensure that projects completed their online application process, while also strengthening its operational capacities.
The Community Tourism Distinction recognizes a model in which communities own and lead tourism activities, with levels ranging from “Seed” to “Excellence.”
Furthermore, this model promotes job creation, environmental conservation, and the protection of traditions, gastronomy, and ancestral knowledge—fundamental elements of sustainable tourism in Mexico.
It is worth noting that the Yucatán Tourism Secretariat (Sefotur), in coordination with UNESCO, developed the community tourism catalog “Yucatán: Mosaic of Experiences.” The state is also part of the national edition “Travels Through the Mayan World,” which includes the states of this region.
During the event, it was also announced that the Mexican government will promote community tourism destinations such as Maya Ka’an, the Camino del Mayab in Yucatán, and Pueblos Mancomunados in Oaxaca, to further strengthen this model in the country.
TYT Newsroom
