The president of the Spanish Group of World Heritage Cities and mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, convened a meeting last Thursday with the Association of Mexican World Heritage Cities (Ancmpm) in Xochimilco, Mexico City. The aim of the gathering was to establish avenues for cooperation in safeguarding, restoring, conserving, and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of the UNESCO-recognized cities in both countries.
The meeting, hosted at the Michmani Ecotourism Center on the Cuemanco pier in Xochimilco, Mexico City, was attended by the Tourism Counselor of the Spanish embassy in Mexico, Fernando Villalba; Daniela Cid González, the municipal president of San Luis Potosí and president of the association of Mexican cities; and Juana Onésima Delgado, the mayor of Xochimilco, along with other representatives. The two organisations exchanged experiences and ideas on the sustainability of heritage in their historic city centres.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception in Mexico, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez called on Mexican Heritage Cities to strengthen collaborative efforts, stressing “the noteworthiness of not only restoring urban areas and working towards conservation, but also ensuring that our cities, rich in tangible and intangible heritage, evolve with the times.”
“This is a major challenge for heritage sites,” stated the group’s president, prompting a reflection on the type of tourism desired – sustainable tourism that offers cultural experiences and opportunities for visitors to immerse in the cities’ reality. He also emphasised the need to address shared issues such as the risk of gentrification in historic areas, challenges in ensuring accessibility, and the necessity for technological solutions in heritage management.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez expressed contentment with the outcomes of the meeting, envisioning collaborative efforts between the two nations towards safeguarding heritage. He underscored the significance of his international trip as president of the Group, marking an important meeting.
“Promoting our international presence is a key objective of the Group through collaboration agreements with organisations and associations. This trip is a step forward in this direction, considering the parallel journey of both entities over the past three decades,” he added.
The host of the meeting, Mayor Juana Onésima Delgado of Xochimilco, highlighted the universal responsibility towards UNESCO-recognised heritage, emphasising the need for strengthened cultural exchange.
