High hopes of gaining Pueblo Mágico status for Ajijic have pumped up again following Federal Tourism Minister Enrique de la Madrid Cordero’s visit to Jalisco last week.

Although the official didn’t specifically refer to Ajijic’s prospects for getting into the Magic Town scheme, his stopover revived interest in the prior announcement that ten new localities will be awarded the designation this year.  

De la Madrid, son of former president Miguel de la Madrid, did grab big headlines in Jalisco media with a public acknowledgment that he may seek the PRI candidacy in the 2018 presidential election. He also revealed his intention to intervene to help resolve the longing-standing conflict over land occupied by the Guadalajara airport that has provoked repeated protests by the El Zapote Ejido group, hampering traffic along the Guadalajara-Chapala highway and airport operations.

The Chapala government latched on to the official’s up-beat report on growth in the tourism industry to revive discussion and preparation for Ajijic’s Pueblo Mágico candidacy. According to Municipal Tourism Director Habbath Angel Orozco, city hall officials are now hard at work putting together all the documentation required to submit the Pueblo Mágico proposal.

The file will include detailed information on Ajijic’s history, traditions, cultural activities and the area’s natural attributes that hold appeal to national and foreign visitors. It will also outline local statistics from the tourism sector, along with factors of accessibility, infrastructure and public services that are considered for qualification. 

Angel points to Ajijic’s location on the shore of Mexico’s largest lake, the surrounding mountain landscape, and excellent year-round climate as characteristics working in its favor. Also heading the plus column are the colorful village festivities deeply rooted in ancestral history and the vibrant cultural scene perpetuated by artists, musicians, writers and scenic performers who inhabit the town.

He also recognizes various negative aspects such as the proliferation of ambulantaje (informal street commerce), increasing problems of sanitation and solid waste management, traffic congestion and other mobility issues.

Jalisco’s other top contender for integration in the Pueblo Mágico program is San Pedro Tlaquepaque, already well established as prime tourist destination and major national center for quality handicraft production. It remains to be known how many other magical places elsewhere in the nation will vie for Pueblo Mágico titles and the federal funding for town improvements that go with the deal.  

And the date for opening up nomination process is also still up in the air. “It could happen anytime between tomorrow and next October,” Angel noted. “We’re moving along to be ready whenever the moment arises.”