Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - With the 41st edition of the Tianguis Turistico Mexico less than a week away, the north coast regional director of the Jalisco Ministry of Tourism, José Ludwig Estrada Virgen, says that Puerto Vallarta is "armed and ready" to strengthen 2017 tourism to the destination during the event.

Around 67 countries, 32 states of the Mexican Republic and 114 magical towns will attend the forty-first edition of the Tianguis Turistico Mexico, which will be held in the Jalisco salon of Expo Guadalajara, Mexico's largest convention center and first in Latin America with a capacity for up to 50,000 people, from April 25-28, 2016.

"What interests us as a destination are the agreements that we will make with the airlines and tour operators with which we already have appointments scheduled during this event. It is through these meetings that we will learn what 2017 will bring, since those who didn't sign during the Gala Vallarta-Nayarit, will do so during the Tianguis Turistico," said Estrada Virgen.

"We already have many appointments scheduled, I think that Puerto Vallarta is one of the destinations with the most meetings, because not only is the event taking place within the state of Jalisco, but also the city delegation will have a rather large exhibition stand," he added.

Hoteliers, restaurateurs and service providers are some of the offers that integrate the commission of Puerto Vallarta in this year's event.

Notably, the stand will feature a "bridge" connecting Puerto Vallarta to the Riviera Nayarit, as the two destinations have already signed and closed several deals together.

"We seek to surpass what is being done in 2016 in terms of tourism, which, so far, is up 4 points (in occupancy and tourist arrivals) compared to last year. What we hope to do at this event, is to climb up at least 2 points over 2016 with negotiations for 2017," Jalisco's regional tourism director said.