Yucatan’s reputation as a romance travel destination is enriched with news it has become the 22nd Mexican state to entrench LGBTQ+ rights.
The state has modified its constitution to make marriage “the free and voluntary legal union of two people with equal rights, duties and obligations.” The state has also banned controversial conversion therapy.
Prior to the update, same-sex couples had to undergo the off-putting process of applying for a pardon to be married in Yucatan, even though it has been technically legal in Mexico since 2015 following a Supreme Court ruling.
Yucatan joins Baja California and Sinaloa to approve same-sex marriage in the past few months. The move increases the perception of the entire country as LGBTQ+ friendly.
In addition, it gives the state a leg up in attracting lucrative same-sex destination wedding business.
According to World Travel and Tourism Council indicators, 10% of the world’s travelers are in the LBGTQ + segment and they spend more, on average, than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts.
“Making the legal process for same-sex marriages opens up the state of Yucatán to the opportunity to attract even more weddings to our destination a source of economic impact that is welcomed particularly with the pandemic,” said State Minister of Tourism Michelle Fridman Hirsch.
“We celebrate the steps taken by our congress and look forward to continuing our work to offer our visitors a destination that is... above all, welcoming and safe to all.”
The statement points out that not only is the Yucatan region home to a rich historic, archeological, cultural and gastronomic tourism offering, it has an abundance of resorts already prepared to provide dream destination weddings, “from paradisiacal beaches of soft white sand, calm emerald waters and exotic flora and fauna, to historic French-style mansions, ancient and majestic haciendas turned into boutique properties and large outdoor venues that can easily accommodate the needs of every bride and bride and groom and groom.”
Furthermore it notes that professional wedding planners at resorts are already experienced in coordinating all details of a same-sex couple’s special day, ensuring the expansion of this existing travel niche will be a success for Yucatan’s resorts as well as the travel advisors consulting with same-sex couples on their destination wedding plans.
