Chiapas deploys tourism promotion strategy with its 2026 Chiapa de Corzo Grand Festival

Chiapas is getting ready for the 2026 Chiapa de Corzo Grand Festival , which projects 100,000 visitors and an economic impact that would exceed 70 million pesos, based on calculations from previous years, said the state Secretary of Tourism, María Eugenia Culebro Pérez , in an interview during the presentation of the festival at the Casa Chiapas in Mexico City.

"Chiapas is emerging from a period of darkness and the sun is rising again," he said, illustrating the state's economic trajectory, in which tourism is regaining its potential as the main driver of development for its residents.

The Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo 2026 , to be held from January 4 to 23, is the main festival of the municipality and magical town of the same name. "In our town, practically the majority of our citizens are dedicated to crafts and tourism," reported Líbano Domínguez, municipal president.

International alliances

Chiapas' internationalization strategy is achieved through concrete alliances with global giants like Huawei, which have allowed them to enter new markets like Paris and Beijing. "I recognize our great allies because they made this international tour possible," said Undersecretary of Tourism Development Andrés Sánchez de León.

Chiapas represents a very attractive region for the Chinese market. "We are in negotiations to ensure that the Fiesta Grande content reaches Chinese news and content agencies," which represents an expansion for Chiapas' tourism promotion, said Jenaro Villamil, head of the Mexican State Public Broadcasting System (SPREM).

"There was also a promotional tour to China because it could be an important emerging market, and like Chiapas, we don't want to be left behind," said María Eugenia Culebro. A promotional tour to Italy is being planned soon.

“This 2025, the Huawei group had the opportunity to visit and experience the Fiesta Grande de Chiapa de Corzo, and they too can help us spread the word and be ambassadors for all the cultural and culinary treasures Chiapas has to offer. Several of them even dressed up as parachicos, so they were also protagonists,” the interviewee added.

The event was attended by a delegation of Chinese business leaders, mostly from the technology sector, who spoke to El Economista unofficially about their interest in disseminating information about Chiapas' landscapes, culture, and attractions in China, with the goal of increasing awareness of Mexico and Chiapas . Although no specific decision has been made regarding other areas of collaboration beyond tourism, they are considering ways to strengthen their relationship.

To promote greater economic ties, Chiapas is strengthening its port infrastructure as a development hub. "We have a very important development hub there in Puerto Chiapas that is going to explode even further, and we have this great opportunity to receive vessels and export Chiapas products, such as the Ataulfo ​​mango, which has long been a staple in other countries' cuisine, or Chiapas coffee," the secretary explained.