Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, Mexico's Secretary of Tourism, has announced a £3.5 million investment in the country's tourism infrastructure – an increase of more than 50% on last year's spending. In addition, almost £2.5 million will be invested to further raise the international and national profile of Mexico as a tourist destination.

Among the areas that will receive support is the Zona Rosa – the entertainment quarter packed with restaurants and bars; an eco-tourism project in the Tlahuac neighbourhood of Mexico City; and the Route of the Gods – a regional cultural initiative that includes the states of Oaxaca, Puebla, Tiaxcala, Veracruz and the Capital State.

Elizondo Torres also announced investment in the Mexico City Office for Congresses and Conventions, the body that promotes the city to the meetings and incentives market, which will help to enhance the profile of the city as a business destination worldwide. Elizondo said: “We want to attract more business-related travellers for conventions, fairs and exhibitions as we realise this is an important and growing segment. The reinvigoration of efforts to attract these visitors is a big step forward for Mexico.”

He added: “Our aim is to bring more visitors to our country, and to accomplish this we need to compete with other destinations. This will be achieved with training and investment.”

Manuel Diaz Cebrian, Director of the Mexico Tourism Board UK, Ireland, Sweden and The Netherlands, said: “Bringing together our efforts and investment is key to the country's continued sustainable development as a world class leisure and business destination. Our aim is to boost the profile of Mexico, and we are certainly heading in the right direction.”