Tepotzotlán tourism slump prompts calls for infrastructure aid

Tourism in Tepotzotlán, a designated Pueblo Mágico in Mexico, has fallen sharply, with restaurants and tourism firms reporting a 40% drop in activity. Business leader Alonso Estrada of the local tourism association attributes the decline to deteriorated road conditions, a lack of coordinated promotion, and a shift in visitor behavior toward convenience stores rather than traditional eateries and craft shops. Seasonal attractions such as the mushroom harvest and firefly displays are also far below previous years' levels.

Local operators are urging the state Secretariat of Culture and Tourism to work directly with private providers, citing the need for concrete logistical support and marketing to revive visitor numbers. In parallel, Guadalajara will host the inaugural Intermunicipal Mushroom Festival on 2 August at the Parque Metropolitano, featuring free public conferences, paid workshops, and presentations on the ecological and medicinal value of fungi. The event, organized by Xóchitl Angélica Velarde Esparza, aims to raise environmental awareness and stimulate community engagement with biodiversity conservation.