The diversification of tourist activities is headed along the right path and therefore Sonora, including the area of Puerto Peñasco, is the new star of Mexican tourism, declared sub secretary of tourist operations for the federal Secretary of Tourism, Francisco Madrid Flores.

Madrid Flores remarked that when certain destinations show to be profitable, there are no problems with the flow of investments, which is what is happening throughout the state.

Following comments as to while the world of tourism has been affected by terrorism and natural disasters, in Mexico the situation has been different as an investment growth rate has been maintained at over 40%, along with an increased influx of visitors.

The federal functionary stressed that through the strategic planning of Governor Eduardo Bours, Sonora is currently among the five states in the country with the highest rate of private investment in tourism and therefore the new star of Mexican tourism.

For his part, the head of the State Commission on Tourism, Epifanio Salido Pavlovich, commented that in order to consolidate Peñasco and reach towards the goal for tourism to represent 10% of the internal gross product for the state, there are specific plans for Peñasco. He noted that in addition to weekend tourism, which is already a stronghold, they are seeking to attract business and ecotourism for which there are already various projects underway.

He listed that among the projects is the construction of a convention center on a 5 hectare piece of land, along with a visitors' center, which will add to the folk artisans' corridor currently under construction through the Impulsor trust.

He stressed that a visitors center would be built on 3.5 hectares in the area of the Pinacate biosphere reserve, which will make important strides towards the growth of tourism to the area.

Access by Air, Land, and Sea
Both the public and private investments that have been made, and those underway in the area of Puerto Peñasco, have allowed for the consolidation of the infrastructure necessary to guarantee a full, first-rate tourist destination, affirmed Humberto Valdez Ruy Sánchez, State Secretary of Infrastructure and Urban Development.

Ruy Sánchez remarked, in a speech before Mexican President Vicente Fox, that in total resources of 3.95 billion pesos are being channeled into the outfitting of the port for access by air, land, and sea.

The State Secretary for Infrastructure and Urban Development detailed that these funds are for the construction of the Peñasco-Gulf of Santa Clara coastal highway, the construction of a new international airport, the building of the Puerto Peñasco nautical stopover, and the modernization and broadening of the San Luis Río Colorado and Sonoyta checkpoints, among other actions.

These mega infrastructure projects, he added, are already "sealed" to assure that they will be carried out this year and during the next two years.

At the same time, he remarked, as it is foreseen that the population of Peñasco will increase from 43 thousand to 173 thousand, along with Fonatur they have already established a plan for Urban and Tourist Development in order to proceed with orderly and sustainable growth.
Valdez Ruy Sánchez emphasized that in less than a year and a half, the state government has authorized the construction of 23 new tourist developments in Puerto Peñasco, which implies an increase of 3,543 new accommodation units, including hotel rooms, villas and condominiums.

The State Secretary for Infrastructure and Urban Development underscored that per instructions of Governor Eduardo Bours, they are monitoring all of the processes underway so that Peñasco's growth may be even and parallel with the investment surrounding tourism infrastructure.