As of 2013 in Mexico, the creation, support and development of the LGBT tourist segment were established into the Mexican federal government policies, which has not been consolidated besides lacking of statistical and economic data so its socioeconomic impact is known. The objective of this research is to reflect on the social and economic effect generated by an LGBT friendly tourist destination resulting from the touristic practices that take place in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. This beach destination is considered the most important LGBT tourist destination in the country due to the amount of economic income it generates and the touristic infrastructure that has been developed. Some considerations are made on the relationship between the expenditure generated by tourists and the income received by residents, as well as its socio-environmental impact. The methodology used is of a mixed nature, emphasizing the integration of economic data in a quantitative way besides ethnography carried out in the destination in a qualitative way. The results of this social phenomenon called LGBT Tourism finally unleashed a synergy and power relations between the different actors involved in Puerto Vallarta: government, businessmen, civil associations, residents and to a lesser extent tourist.

As of 2013 in Mexico, the creation, support and development of the LGBT tourist segment were established into the Mexican federal government policies, which has not been consolidated besides lacking of statistical and economic data so its socioeconomic impact is known. The objective of this research is to reflect on the social and economic effect generated by an LGBT friendly tourist destination resulting from the touristic practices that take place in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. This beach destination is considered the most important LGBT tourist destination in the country due to the amount of economic income it generates and the touristic infrastructure that has been developed. Some considerations are made on the relationship between the expenditure generated by tourists and the income received by residents, as well as its socio-environmental impact. The methodology used is of a mixed nature, emphasizing the integration of economic data in a quantitative way besides ethnography carried out in the destination in a qualitative way. The results of this social phenomenon called LGBT Tourism finally unleashed a synergy and power relations between the different actors involved in Puerto Vallarta: government, businessmen, civil associations, residents and to a lesser extent tourist.

Internationally, gay or LGBT tourism represents a potential market of 180 million people and an annual expense in the tourism industry of 200 billion dollars. In addition to this, gay tourism grows at a rate of 10.4% each year, more than double of conventional tourism. Mexico is already taking some actions to take advantage of the opportunity represented by attracting this new type of market. However, Manzanillo has been a tourist destination that has not joined the actions carried out by the Ministry of Tourism to become a gay-friendly destination. The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation in Manzanillo regarding gay tourism; to identify actions taken and the reasons why it has not yet developed. To this end, the research question is as follows: Why is Manzanillo not considered a gay-friendly destination and what strategies can be carried out to achieve it? The question is answered through research carried out with a mixed approach methodology, the empirical method complemented by the method of analysis of surveys and interviews. The responses received show that Manzanillo is not considered a gay-friendly destination because it does not have a tourist offer destined for this market segment, but despite this, it has the potential to become a pink destination. Taking the above into account, five strategies were carried out as a proposal to diversify the tourist offer of Manzanillo with the creation of activities and establishments destined for gay tourists.

Los espacios turísticos se configuran por prácticas sociales y relaciones de poder sostenidos por los diferentes actores locales que participan en el fenómeno del turismo, influidos por el contexto nacional e internacional. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el proceso de configuración del espacio turístico LGBT+ en Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, a través de las relaciones de poder en red que sostienen los diferentes actores involucrados en el destino. Este estudio se realizó a través de la etnografía como método cualitativo y el análisis de redes sociales (ARS) como método cuantitativo. Los resultados demuestran la creación de una red de actores con relaciones de poder asimétricas que han influido en configurar parte del destino turístico en un espacio amigable con la comunidad LGBT+.

Internationally, gay tourism or LGBT represents a potential market of 180 million people and an annual expense in the tourism sector of 200 billion dollars. In addition to that, gay tourism grows at a rate of 10.4% each year, more than double that of conventional tourism. Mexico is already taking some actions to take advantage of the opportunity represented by attracting this new type of market. However, Manzanillo has been a tourist destination that has not joined the actions carried out by the Ministry of Tourism to become a gay friendly destination. The objective of this study is to analyze the current situation in Manzanillo regarding gay tourism; know actions taken and the reasons why it has not been developed. To this end, the research question is as follows: Why is Manzanillo not considered a gay friendly destination and what strategies can be carried out to achieve it? The question is answered through research carried out with a mixed approach methodology, the empirical method complemented by the method of analysis of surveys and interviews. The responses received show that Manzanillo is not considered a gay friendly destination because it does not have a tourist offer destined for this market segment, but despite this, it has the potential to become a pink destination. Taking the above into account, five strategies were carried out as a proposal to diversify the tourist offer of Manzanillo with the creation of activities and establishments destined for gay tourists.