Ajijic already shines as the crown jewel of Lake Chapala’s north shore. Chapala Mayor Javier Degollado is now itching to cast a spell and turn the village into a nationally recognized Pueblo Mágico.
Just back from a trip to the nation’s capital where he met with officials at the Ministry of Tourism, Degollado rounded up local media reporters last Tuesday to lay out his map for setting Ajijic on the pathway to Magic Town status.
“Ajijic has all the principal attributes needed to qualify for the program,” he declared, listing pluses such as a rich history, typical festivities, local traditions, natural and architectural attractions, a thriving art community as part of its brand and the full gamut of tourist services. It also meets criteria for adequate proximity to travel routes, transportation hubs and vital public services, among others.
The local government is making progress in putting together the elements of its Pueblo Mágico candidacy file. It will move ahead on the steps required to submit postulation by next October. These include approval of the initiative by the city council, state congress and Jalisco Tourism Ministry, the formation of a citizen-led oversight committee, implementation of a regulatory code to conserve the town’s identity and order and a blueprint to resolve parking and traffic problems.
A key point is proper government control of informal street commerce, cited by federal authorities as the principal handicap that dashed the mayor’s aspirations for gaining a Pueblo Mágico distinction for Chapala.
Getting Ajijic on the Magic Town roster will allow the government to capture a juicy state and federal funding package to upgrade local infrastructure. It will also serve a catalyst for attracting private investment and sparking a tourist boom to benefit the entire municipality, Degollado explained.
If everything moves ahead as programmed, he expects a decision on Ajijic’s bid to come through by February of next year.