To form a network of cities to analyse the common challenges of being inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and to study and build solutions to the problems they face, through the exchange of information and experiences.

To promote dialogue and connect the various actors involved in the design and implementation of policies related to the enhancement and conservation of heritage, urban planning and the development of cultural tourism.

Facilitate the exchange of experiences, fostering partnerships and technical collaborations with national and international organizations.

To raise awareness among local actors (experts, citizens, authorities) of the importance of tangible and intangible heritage.

To promote cultural tourism and the economic development of the communities that inhabit Mexican cities inscribed on the World Heritage List.

1. Promote programs and actions of the Federal Government

The union of the City Councils has provided strength for the management at the federal level of the creation of federal programs and the obtaining of resources from SECTUR, SEDESOL now SEDATU and the Ministry of Culture.

2. Tourism promotion at national and international level

The cities coordinate to have a presence at the Tianguis Turístico de México and at the main tourism fairs in the world (FITUR, ITB, Top Resa, etc.).

In order to offer a comprehensive perspective of tourism behavior, there is a Tourism Observatory to analyze the preferences, trends and travel patterns of tourists to generate information that is useful for decision-making in the tourism sector. The information obtained through the observatory also allows us to know the perception of tourists about the tourist offer of these cities, their degree of satisfaction with the tourist services offered, the most visited places of interest, the number of days that tourists stay in each city, the budget they allocate for their trip,  so it is a tool for the strategic planning of tourism activity in our cities.

We join forces to carry out Tourism Promotion Campaigns, enhancing its national and international reach.

Through the agreement signed with SECTUR, we permanently make presentations of tourism products to Mexican embassies and consulates abroad.

3. Economic Development

Various projects have been promoted for the economic development of the localities through cultural tourism.

1. a) Project “South-South Cooperation for the Strengthening of Sustainable Tourism in the World Heritage Cities of Mexico” with the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)
2. b) Economic Reactivation Network created by the Association and disseminated by SECTUR and the Federal Ministry of Economy, in support of tourism and cultural MSMEs in the city, during the COVID 19 pandemic.

(c)   Projects Decentralized Cooperation with the Embassy of France in Mexico.

 

4. Cultural dissemination

Through our actions, national and international visibility is given to cities. We have had an international presence in photographic exhibitions (more than 50 mainly in US consulates and Mexican embassies in Europe and Asia in the last 5 years), which is derived from the agreement that the Association has with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The exhibition is currently in force and is planned to be presented in various cities in Europe.

We produce printed and digital materials such as the “Gastronomic Guides”, “Tourist Guide” and the “Guide to Mezcals and Traditional Drinks” that are disseminated nationally and internationally in different languages.

5. Training and Technical Advice

We have technical advice and support from UNESCO (implementation of SDG 2030 agenda)

We organize training workshops on: World Heritage and Urban Landscape, territorial reorganization in World Heritage Historic Centers, and other topics of interest.

6. Exchange of Good Practices

We coordinate the exchange of successful heritage management cases among Partner cities.