Baja California Sur held its First Inclusive Tourism Symposium on May 8, bringing together students, hotel industry representatives, private businesses, and disability inclusion specialists to discuss making the state’s tourism sector more accessible.
State legislator Dalia Collins Mendoza organized the event in partnership with the Instituto Sudcaliforniano para la Inclusión de las Personas con Discapacidad (ISIPD), the state institute for disability inclusion, and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS). The symposium took place with coordination from the BCS state government under Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío.
State Government Backs Accessible Tourism Push
The BCS Secretary of Tourism and Economy (SETUE) confirmed participation from hotel associations, business chambers, and tourism service providers. According to the state tourism agency, BCS is working to build a more inclusive tourism model through coordination between government and the private sector.
Maribel Collins, representing the state government at the event, said BCS aims to become a national leader in inclusive tourism. She committed to continued cooperation across sectors to position the state as an accessible and competitive destination.
What This Means for BCS Tourism
The symposium is the first of its kind in a state that depends heavily on tourism. BCS welcomed millions of visitors in recent years to destinations including Los Cabos, La Paz, Loreto, and Todos Santos. International tourism standards increasingly require accessible infrastructure, from wheelchair-friendly hotel rooms to adapted transportation and beach access.
For travelers with disabilities or those visiting with family members who have mobility or sensory challenges, the symposium marks a concrete step toward policy changes. Accessible tourism is a growing market worldwide, and destinations that invest in inclusion often attract longer stays and higher spending from travelers who face limited options elsewhere.
BCS has a population of roughly 798,000. The state’s economy relies on tourism as its primary driver, making accessibility improvements both a social priority and an economic strategy.
The symposium was first reported by Noticias La Paz and confirmed by the BCS Secretary of Tourism and Economy (SETUE).