The Promotion Of Domestic Tourism: The Case Of San Felipe, B.C., La Promocion Del Turismo Domestico: Caso San Felipe, B.C

This article documents tourist activity in the Port of San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. We analyze the promotion by the private sector, particularly by hotels and restaurants, and government to attract domestic and international tourists in situations of economic slowdown. The local economy is strongly correlated with spending by foreign tourists, particularly from the United States, a trend similar to the rest of the country. Tourism activity is the third source of international receipts. Since 2008, various internal and external events like the growing violence, AH1N1, the economic slowdown, among others, have caused a declination of foreign tourist visits to Mexico, with a consequent fall in the community of San Felipe. This article documents the perception of local service providers about how to encourage tourist arrivals and the role domestic tourism should play. The goal is to diversify demand, and maintain a constant arrival of local consumers.