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Conflict Escalates between Mayor and Tourism Secretary

By: David Real | Real Acapulco News - 04 May, 2011

(Acapulco, ElSur 4 May) The private sector has formed a Committee to Defend the Tianguis Turístico, and they invited the mayor, Manuel Añorve Baños to preside over it. Meanwhile the federal Tourism Secretary has invited proposals from other cities in Mexico to host the event next year. Twelve other destinations are expected to submit bids. The Committee to Defend the Tianguis Turístico announced that it plans to make a public demonstration against the decision in the nation’s capital, within a few days. In their recent meeting in the Hotel Elcano, the group concluded that the time for talking is past, and the time for action is upon them. The dispute with Gloria Guevara, the current head of Sectur, has become personal. The Committee will work not only to keep the Tianguis Turístico in Acapulco, but also to have Gloria Guevara fired as Mexico’s chief tourism politician and bureaucrat. In addition to public mass demonstrations, the Committee will use press conferences and social networks to disseminate its message. The essence is that Gloria Guevara is trying to hijack an asset that was created in Acapulco by Acapulqueños 36 or more years ago, and that it belongs to Acapulco still. They regard her as a common thief of the city’s patrimony.

Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Érika Lührs, informed the group that 550 large banners had been placed all over town in defense of the Tianguis. Fifty thousand decals and 150,000 fliers have been distributed in the tourist areas. Over 20,000 wrist bands have been handed out. Seven news bulletins have been sent out across all of Mexico.

The mayor points out that 80% of those who will participate in the choice of the next place for the Tianguis work for her. “They are her 3 or 4 litter bearers,” he said. “We can’t wait around with our arms folded.” Añorve pointed out that the defense of the Tianguis is a social movement, in which everyone has an interest. It is not simply a political quarrel between the mayor and some federal bureaucrat.