“I’ve come aboard to stir up the waters,” declared Jose Ignacio Sanchez Bañuelos, the energetic idealist who has just taken the helm at the regional tourism office in Chapala.
Talking to the Reporter after taking charge November 1 to fill a position that has been vacant for the last eight months, Sanchez said he sees his role as that of a salesman-cum-public relations handler. Fresh to the job, he hasn’t had time yet to develop a plan of action, but is convinced that the Chapala area needs to diversify its tourist services and attractions, depending less on the lake as its primary calling card.
Nacho, as he is known to friends, is just 24 years old. But with an impressive curriculum in hand, he edged out more seasoned candidates under consideration by Jalisco Tourism Secretary Enrique Ramos Flores.
A Chapala homeboy, Sanchez graduated from Guadalajara’s ITESO university last year with a degree in International Relations. During his years of study he racked up multiple academic awards and unique experiences both on campus and out in the global playing field.
Jose Ignacio Sanchez Bañuelos
Among his achievements was being selected to represent Mexico on the International Disarmament and Security Commission at the 2012 Model United Nations in New York City. The following year he qualified for an internship at the Mexican Embassy in New Zealand, where he ended up taking charge of the commercial sector and writing a full guidance manual on Mexico exports to the host country. Upon his return he snagged a post as consultant to the Jalisco Water Commission to line up funding from the Inter-American Development Bank.
Sanchez also has expertise in running beauty pageants, is well-connected with Jalisco government officials and business leaders, and speaks fluent English.
With all that in his wheelhouse, he seems to be perfectly fit for leadership the field of tourism and a provide an approach will that will appeal to a younger and more affluent generation of visitors, all to the benefit to the region’s economy.