The Querétaro Wine Cluster organized the Technical Conference on
Enotourism and the Querétaro Wine Fair, and IGES University the events for its
25th anniversary and the inauguration of the GWTO Academy representative office.“Querétaro is the leader in receiving tourists to vineyards with 1 million visitors, mainly domestic due to its proximity to Mexico City”, agree State Secretary of
Tourism Adriana Vega and Gino Parrodi, president of the Querétaro Wine Cluster, while Baja California continues to lead in production and receives tourists mainly from the United States.
In terms of technical knowledge, IGES organized the discussion forum ‘Global
Challenges of Enotourism’, and the Cluster organized the Technical Conference
on ‘International Positioning of Enotourism Destinations’, presenting the success story of Mendoza (Argentina).
The Cluster and IGES were joined by two global leaders in the sector, among other local authorities: José Antonio Vidal, Founder and President of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO), and Gabriel Fidel, Vice-Rector of the
National University of Cuyo (Mendoza) and Director of GWTO Academy LatAm. Both experts emphasize that “to consolidate an ecotourism destination, the quality and identity of the wine is key. Querétaro wines have made significant
progress, developing their own characteristics that strengthen their local and international prestige”. This was evident at the 5th edition of the Querétaro Wine Fair, co-inaugurated by the state and municipal tourism authorities, the Cluster, and GWTO, which welcomed more than 7,500 visitors interested in wine, Querétaro cuisine, and ecotourism. “Querétaro could position itself nationally and internationally by hosting the GWTO Global Summit on Responsible Enotourism, thereby strengthening its cultural identity in Mexican wine and cuisine”. Vidal conveyed this message directly to the state and municipal governments, the Wine Cluster representing the private sector, the university, and Querétaro’s civil society.
Fidel emphasized that “enotourism is much more than just visiting wineries: it is developing the region through its identity. This, together with the cohesion of all the players in the enotourism value chain, is the basis for Mendoza’s growth as
a wine tourism destination”. He also pointed out that “the technological landscape is constantly changing,
from websites to augmented and virtual reality applications, and that today’s tourists research and learn about their destinations much more than in previous decades”.For his part, José Antonio Vidal emphasized that “visitors and residents are the central focus of wine tourism, and that all management efforts should be geared
toward their respective satisfaction”.
He stressed “the importance for the market of finding guarantees of satisfaction with the experience, such as the OMET-Biosphere International Certificate for Responsible and Sustainable Destinations and Establishments over time”. IGES University reaffirmed its commitment to training global leaders in gastronomy, tourism, and oenology, strengthening its international ties with GWTO Academy. The IGES- GWTO Academy collaboration plan will promote the development of
high-level professional talent with an international outlook, management and intercultural communication skills, international cooperation and exchanges, and will also contribute significant strategic significance and practical value to
improving the quality and standards of wine tourism in the country. The GWTO Academy representative office in Querétaro will promote the deep integration of wine culture with Querétaro tourism internationally, facilitating
learning opportunities for managers, teachers, students, and professionals, and providing high-level talent with an international vision for the ecotourist industry in Querétaro. GWTO Academy’s international teaching team is made up of highly qualified experts with significant professional and academic backgrounds: enotourism
destination managers; enotourism managers in wineries, hotels, and museums;
tour operators, travel agencies, OTAs; tourism and ecotourism guides; consultants and advisors,
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