The state tourism ministry (Sectur) estimates that the four-day Zipolite Nudist Festival broke all revenue forecasts, leaving an economic spillover in the Coast region of more than 74.9 million pesos (US $3.9 million).
According to regional Sectur representative Nadia Bolaños, the importance of the eighth Nudist Festival was paramount for the regional economy as it attracted visitors not only to Zipolite, but to Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Pochutla.
The state government allocated a “historic investment” of 800,000 pesos (US $41,600), as well as inter-institutional support to facilitate the festival’s organization. It was the first time the state has provided financial aid for the event, which took place Feb. 2-5.
“Zipolite, due to its strategic location, is one of the main [Oaxaca] destinations,” said Bolaños.
According to Sectur, the estimated revenue for Zipolite alone was 15.9 million pesos, with hotel occupancy of 100%.
“When we talk about indirect economic revenue, it is going to reach Zipolite, Mazunte, San Agustinillo, Puerto Ángel . . . we are talking about almost 75 million pesos for all the surrounding towns,” she remarked.
According to Bolaños, there is an express instruction from Governor Salomón Jara not to spare resources to promote the development of the area, with the goal of “reducing the gap between high seasons” as revenue has always declined noticeably between December and Easter.
“We hope that with this type of event we can close this gap, and that the low season will go unnoticed during these months, making [revenue] sustained, from December to March. This entails a continuing promotion of the destination,” she concluded.
With reports from El Universal
