The celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe will leave an economic revenue of almost 13 million dollars on December 12 in Mexico City

06-12-23

• The Working Group of the World Religious Tourism Destinations Network is preparing a study of the most important destinations in the world.

In contact with officials of the Secretariat of Economic Development of Mexico City (Sedeco), the latter foresees that the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe will leave an economic revenue of 238 million pesos, almost 13 million dollars.

The head of the agency, Fadlala Akabani, recently stated that this is not such a high economic revenue because the religious tourism that will arrive in the City on December 12, does not stay overnight in hotels, but in the surroundings of the Basilica of Guadalupe.

When contacted by those responsible for tourism in the city, we were told that the economic revenue related to the religious tourism of this celebration is not great due to the lack of a tourist offer that allows tourists and believers to stay more days or activities to increase the related tourist expenditure.

That is to say, the type of tourism that celebrates this religious activity, generally does not spend the night around the Basilica of Guadalupe, so it does not generate a spill in the economic units around this religious center, therefore, it is a one-day tourism, it is an overnight stay of one day, a day and a half at the most, and practically many of them bring their own food and leave immediately. 

The Mayor's Office of Gustavo A. Madero informed that, as every year, it will deliver vehicle cards to neighbors who live in the perimeter that will remain closed in the vicinity of the Basilica of Guadalupe.

This delivery is completely free of charge to interested neighbors, who may request it from December 4 to 7 from 10:00 to 16:00 hours, at the four points that will be set up for the delivery.

In this sense, the World Religious Tourism Destinations Network has highlighted Mexico's rich architectural tradition and sacred art, and how it has become a major destination for religious tourism worldwide. 

Among the most outstanding places is the Basilica of Guadalupe, which, according to UNAM researcher Enrique Propin, receives more visitors than Jerusalem and the Vatican, especially during December 12. This place is considered the most visited Catholic site in the world. In addition, it is mentioned that in Iztapalapa up to 2 million people are expected to visit for the representation of the Passion of Christ.

Mexico's Ministry of Tourism recently reported that the Basilica of Guadalupe attracts more than 18 million people annually, making it the second most visited religious site after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Other sites of interest include the Sanctuary of the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos in Jalisco and the Sanctuary of the Lord of Chalma in the State of Mexico, among others.

Despite this influx, some researchers such as Propin warn that Mexico's religious tourism potential has yet to be fully exploited. Although the country welcomes a diversity of tourists, including devotees, believers and atheists, the focus remains limited to certain specific locations. It is estimated that visits to the main sanctuaries generate an annual economic revenue of approximately 20 billion pesos (almost US$1.1 billion).

The academic suggests that the promotion of lesser-known sites of worship, located in more remote communities, could broaden the scope of religious tourism. Places such as the Sanctuary of Santo Toribio Romo in Jalisco are emerging as new destinations, following the example of other international religious centers such as Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal.