More info on Ajijic's bid for Pueblo Magico status

The latest article in El Informador on this subject.

http://www.informador.com.mx/jalisco/2017/726589/6/tlaquepaque-y-chapala-quieren-ser-pueblo-magico.htm

Odds on getting the designation?

Ajijic is a pretty popular tourist destination for the domestic population. I haven't met a Mexican yet that hasn't heard of it. The big thing would be to have a private committee separate from the local government to manage the funds and necessary improvements. It should consist of local wealthy business owners who don't need to mismanage the money into their own pockets. Perhaps even a gringo or two.

As for the odds?? I would have to see the list of other contenders. I believe they are choosing 10 more.....

it is an organization that promote tourism and I suspect by some of the latest choices is political so it all depends. I can see Tlaquepaque centro but Ajijic should take care of their streets and garbage problems before applying but with influence everything is possible.

If accepted, Ajijic would be given funds to make repairs and improvements. I really hope this thing flies. This is something I would be happy to help with if the opportunity arose.

yes I agree it would be good if Ajijic got it , it would be an incentive to keep the place up and bring money to town.

Criteria
In order to pertain to the program the towns should have a population of at least 20 thousand, and should be located no more than 200 km (124.27 miles) or the equivalent of traveling two hours by land, from the touristic destination. In addition to the town’s municipal and state authorities requesting incorporation to SECTUR so that they can make an assessment visit to evaluate the potential of the site, the criteria needed in order to be considered for incorporation into the program are:

I. A formally constituted Pueblo Mágico committee.
II. A town council accord (an agreement to apply for admittance into the program)
III. Agreement of the state congress
IV. Direct economic contribution towards touristic development in projects, action plans and programs.
V. A municipal touristic development program updated with a time frame of at least three years.
VI. Updated ordinations with a touristic focus during current administration of the Municipality.
VII. Evidence of symbolic attraction of the aspiring community.
VIII. Health and public security services for tourists in case of an emergency.
IX. Private and social investment in touristic development and quality marks.
X. Other elements that the committee considers relevant for touristic activity.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_M%C3%A1gico

"towns should have a population of at least 20 thousand,"

So doesn't Ajijic fail from the get-go? I recall the population sign at the East entry shows way less.

Population means nothing. These three towns have the PM designation.

Todo Santos - 5,128
Mazamitla - 13,800
Talpalpa - 19,510

Imagine the traffic. . .

CanuckBob wrote:Population means nothing. These three towns have the PM designation.

Todo Santos - 5,128
Mazamitla - 13,800
Talpalpa - 19,510

I'm sure the 20K population figure is more of a guideline than an actual rule, but with a population of 10,509 (2010 census) Ajijic would need to make a pretty strong case for inclusion based on the other criteria and I don't think it can.

Compare the lowest population town on your list (Todo Santos) to Ajijic and, well, there really is no comparison at all. Todo Santos has art galleries that display and sell works by nationally and internationally recognized artists, not just locals trying to make a name for themselves. Todo Santos is a much prettier town, is better maintained and is of historic significance (site of the last battle of the Mexican American War -1848). I don't think a 40 year tradition of being a place where white people go to die makes Ajijic historically significant.

Likely the biggest factor looked at is #4 on the above list - Direct economic contribution towards touristic development in projects, action plans and programs. And that means mostly "private" money.

The history of Ajijic goes back far beyond 40 years. In fact expats have nothing to do with the attraction as being one of Jalisco's tourist destination's. I doubt the PM designation would dramatically increase the traffic. Everyone already knows about it.

Imagine how much of the PM purse would actually trickle down to infrastructure with fat cats like our current one in charge of the strings.

Traffic would be heinous.

Well I've been to Mazamitla, Todo Santos and Tapalpa on weekends and they certainly didn't feel over run with cars.

The PM purse would be controlled by a PM committee ( as per #1 in the above list). I'm sure Chapala isn't the only muni with loose grabbing politician's.

CanuckBob wrote:The history of Ajijic goes back far beyond 40 years. In fact expats have nothing to do with the attraction as being one of Jalisco's tourist destination's. I doubt the PM designation would dramatically increase the traffic. Everyone already knows about it.

Yes, it has a long history but nothing of historic significance ever occurred in Ajijic. Historically significant events occurred at Isla de Mezcala but that isn't Ajijic.

If every dot on the map received the Pueblo Mágico designation it would become meaningless.

Do Mazamitla and Tapalpa have any noteworthy historic significance?

CanuckBob wrote:Do Mazamitla and Tapalpa have any noteworthy historic significance?

Mazamitla
Miguel Hidalgo served as priest there and his oak tree altar is preserved as a relic.
Francisco Echeverria fought a victorious battle there in 1812 and later died of injuries sustained in the battle.
During the French Intervention, French Officer Jonny Fuentes was captured and hanged in the town square (1815).

Tapalpa
The first paper factory in Latin America was opened in 1840 and abandoned in 1923; its ruins are a tourist attraction.
The Temple of San Antonio (built in 1650 by the Franciscans) is site of a local legend that a group of bandits were stopped by a mysterious man dressed in black - said to have been Saint Anthony of Padua.

Saint Anthony of Padua! Maybe they should make San Antonio (of Padua) Tlayacapan a PM! No no no no no no, what am I saying! lol

Well Ajijic has the areas first Dildoaria. Pretty hard to top that......

Trailrunner wrote:Saint Anthony of Padua! Maybe they should make San Antonio (of Padua) Tlayacapan a PM!   No no no no no no, what am I saying!  lol

Mexican Catholics LOVE their legends of the miraculous. Just look at the Virgen de Guadalupe.

I think Ajijic's historical value would be more towards the indigenous people that inhabited these shores?

We are currently building a home in Guanajuato City and still own a home in Ajijic. GTO is a UNESCO Heritage city, and if being a Pueblo Magico does a third of what happens in GTO, people need to jump on the bandwagon fast. Trash pick up 6 days a week, bins around town for drop off. Street sweepers daily and throughout the day, even in the more residential areas, not just the tourist locations. Adequate street lighting that is maintained. Security cameras, both municipal and private, neighborhood watches supported by local govt. Beat cops daily, and they are pretty observant and serious about their work. Lots of maintenance and improvements. The mayor is posting daily Facebook updates about projects their cost and their status. Parking issues are enforced, and in this city that's a big deal. One poorly parked car can really jack up traffic.

I get that there is a big difference in the two places, I am comparing apples to oranges. But, as I aid, if this designation gets you a third of what GTO gets, you'll see a dramatic drop in complaints. And then if you want to gripe about traffic because you need something to gripe about so be it. Getting this designation and making sure a committee of trustworthy people administer it could improve the community vastly.

CanuckBob wrote:I think Ajijic's historical value would be more towards the indigenous people that inhabited these shores?

Where in Mexico would that NOT apply?

Defarge, does GTO have more than 3 roads into and out of the city? Are they more than 2 lane?

Things might go well - until they focus on Ajijic plaza, and its newly installed fake Corinthian columns, which might have been looted from one of Sadam Hussein's palaces. At least they weren't covered in gold leaf! Oh well - gold spray paint, same diff.