Sinaloa Seeks New Hotel Investment at National Tourism Forum

Sinaloa is ramping up efforts to attract new hotel investment and develop ongoing tourism projects, as officials work to position the state as a competitive destination amid a growing national pipeline of tourism financing. State authorities participated in the Mexico Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (MexHIC 2026), one of the country’s most influential forums for hotel development and tourism investment, held in Mexico City.

Leading the state’s delegation was Sinaloa Minister of Tourism Mireya Sosa, who met with investors, hotel chain executives, developers and investment fund representatives as part of a strategy to strengthen projects already underway and explore new business opportunities.

MexHIC brings together key decision-makers across the hotel and tourism value chain, creating a platform to track existing developments while identifying emerging trends and financing models, Sosa said. She emphasized that, under instructions from Governor Rubén Rocha, Sinaloa’s tourism policy prioritizes investment that generates employment, economic growth and social impact.

High-Level Meetings Strengthen Investor Confidence

MexHIC attracts regional and international investors, hotel and resort developers, bankers, architects, designers, consultants, and representatives from public and private tourism organizations, providing an environment conducive to networking and deal-making. Against this backdrop, Sosa said direct communication with industry stakeholders is essential to understanding global market dynamics and making strategic decisions to strengthen the state’s tourism offering.

She was joined by Germán Rivera, Executive Director, Sinaloa’s Tourism Investment Center (CIT), and Mara Cervantes, from the agency’s tourism investment team, underscoring the state’s coordinated approach to investor outreach.

FONATUR and BBVA Deepen Public-Private Tourism Strategy

At the national level, Mexico’s National Tourism Development Fund (FONATUR) announced a new phase in its strategy to attract private domestic and foreign capital through mixed public-private tourism projects, in partnership with BBVA Mexico.

FONATUR Director Sebastián Ramírez said the initiative seeks to leverage the agency’s land reserves in destinations such as Cozumel, Loreto, Litibú and Huatulco through transparent investment mechanisms, including trusts, to stimulate development while maximizing land value, reported MBN. 

The strategy was presented during the “Avanzamos por México” forum organized by BBVA, where Minister of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez highlighted the importance of closer coordination between the public sector and financial institutions to support sustainable tourism growth.

Among the projects under development is a convention center with capacity for up to 3,000 people in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Under the proposed model, FONATUR will contribute the land, while BBVA will assist in structuring the project’s financial framework.

“We are working with BBVA to structure the project financially so it can be launched,” Ramírez said, noting that the advisory role helps ensure profitability for investors while aligning with FONATUR’s objective of maximizing land assets.

These initiatives form part of a broader national effort to expand tourism investment across Mexico. The country closed 2025 with a tourism investment pipeline valued at US$36.7 billion, supported by roughly 700 projects across 30 states, according to the Tourism Ministry.

Rodríguez said the portfolio grew sharply over the past year, with the number of projects increasing 48% and planned investment rising 67% since the previous update in September, driven by closer coordination among federal, state, private and social-sector stakeholders, reported MBN. 

The investment pipeline is aligned with Mexico’s General Tourism Law and the National Development Plan 2025–2030, which emphasize stronger federal coordination to improve tourism infrastructure and competitiveness nationwide.

Investment Concentrated in Key Destinations

Despite the national reach of the portfolio, investment remains concentrated in a limited number of destinations. Nayarit accounts for 19% of planned investment, followed by Quintana Roo at 17%, Jalisco at 12%, Baja California Sur at 10%, and Guerrero and Nuevo Leon with 8% each.

Rodríguez said the distribution reflects the broader development strategy promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum, which seeks to balance large-scale investment with social benefits and regional development infrastructure. She urged state governments to keep project information updated, stressing that accurate data are essential for long-term planning and sustained growth.

Looking beyond infrastructure, Mexico has set ambitious goals for its global tourism standing. Rodríguez said the country aims to become the world’s fifth most visited destination by 2030, targeting a 40% increase in international tourist arrivals over the next five years, reported MBN. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization show that Mexico ranked sixth globally in 2024, with 45 million international visitors, a 7.4% increase from the previous year.

The minister emphasized that future growth will depend not only on visitor numbers but also on innovation, inclusivity and sustainability. She pointed to environmentally conscious and community-focused initiatives as central to the strategy, including the long-running Pueblos Mágicos program, which now includes 177 towns recognized for their cultural, historical or natural significance.