Zur Entwicklung des einheimischen Fremdenverkehrs in Mexiko, dargestellt am Beispiel des Staates Tlaxacala

Abstract

The State of Tlaxcala in the Mexican Highlands seeks to secure and diversify its economic structure through the development of domestic tourism. According to official plans, ­tourism on a low social level will be promoted. The making available of an indigenous tourism in conformity with landscape, local history and culture is envisaged. There are, however, already types of tourism which have, contrary to foreign tourism, developed informally. This special type has not yet attracted much attention in the appropriate scientific literature. Proto-touristic and touristic patterns will be described by three examples. In San Miguel del Milagro a centuries old traditional form of temporary pilgrim travel is to be found. The archeological excavations of Cacaxda evolved the first signs of educational travel. Well to do city dwellers built an elite weekend recreation centre in the Club Campestre of Sta. Agueda. It appears that within the threshold country Mexico, with its improving social and economic conditions, these different forms of domestic tourism are constantly diverging. They exist side by side and are virtually incompatible. Future research has to set forth whether simply western or US American models are copied, or whether independent forms of recreation will develop.