Mexico lies straight in the projected path of the silver tsunami, with the Lake Chapala area pegged as ground zero, predicts Javier Govi, president of the Mexican Association of Retirement Assistance (Amar).
As the massive “baby boom” generation approaches retirement age, he believes Mexico’s private and public sectors have reached the critical moment to take appropriate steps toward developing an ideal environment for seniors to live out their golden years.
Founded in 2007, Amar was established to address the demographic trends in the 50-plus age group and envision what kinds of goods and services are required to meet its demands for optimum quality of life.
The organization estimates that 100 million people worldwide are now on the verge of retiring. Financial considerations will drive many to look into options for settling beyond the boundaries of their homelands.
“The retirement industry has the potential to rank among Mexico’s top five economic sectors with the next few years,” Govi told the Reporter in a recent interview.Mexico is already widely identified as an appealing destination for foreign retirees. The lakeside area is recognized as the largest and best organized retirement haven in Latin America. However, Govi suggests that government needs encouragement to fine tune policies and business should target investments that satisfy key demands such as cost-effective health care and assisted living facilities in order to rise above competition in other parts of the world.
With the aim of boosting networking and feedback between individuals of retirement age, service providers and experts on Mexico living, Amar will host the Baby Boomers 50+ Living Show, scheduled for June 8 and 9 at Ajijic’s Hotel Real de Chapala.
Promoted under the slogan “Know Where to Turn: A Guide to the Road Less Traveled,” the event will feature information seminars on diverse topics of common interest, promotional exhibits by enterprises that cater to seniors, an art show, raffles and a social atmosphere the organizers describe as “tequila paradise.”
The two-day gathering is being geared not only to appeal to lakeshore residents, but also attract groups from abroad and other expatriate enclaves in Mexico. It is designed both to give outsiders a feel for life here and offer locals an opportunity learn about other places.