By Carola Rico
In an exclusive interview with Atención, Dulce Perales Betancourt, president of the San Miguel de Allende National Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (CANACO SERVyTUR) delved into current issues related to her position as president of the organization. Among these are her recent re-election, the benefits of joining CANACO, recent security plans for SMA, and the city’s economic recovery.
Re-elected as president of the Chamber for 2022-2023, Perales installed the new board of directors in March. When she took office for the first time, in March 2021, the pandemic and the lockdown were in full force. She worked hard to strengthen the Chamber, and plans to maintain the organization’s growth and strength this year.
In addition to being the president of CANACO San Miguel, she was recently appointed National Vice President. “The national president of CANACO invited me to be part of his team, and appointed me national vice president. I am the first woman to hold this position. For me it is another great challenge that provides an opportunity to work with great businessmen and leaders. I always carry my San Miguel flag proudly. I can boast about this great destination and seek investment,” said Perales.
Her appointment as national vice president is a great opportunity to provide additional support for the San Miguel Chamber and strengthen its members’ position and services. At present, Perales is organizing a trip for various Chambers to visit San Miguel and then promote it as a tourist destination in their cities. Perales is certain this is a great opportunity to attract quality tourism and investment in our city. There are also plans to twin SMA with cities in the United States and their chambers of commerce.
Perales spoke about the benefits of being part of CANACO SERVyTUR San Miguel: “Being part of the Chamber of Commerce is another level. We as a Chamber seek local and foreign entrepreneurs who want to invest in San Miguel as a means of generating jobs and continue developing. Our main support for them is to be the voice with the three levels of government, but we also have other services, such as advice on obtaining loans, and free legal, accounting, and tax advice. We also represent companies at job board events for recruitment purposes. We offer regular activities and training to members, with a low or no cost for being part of the Chamber.”
Another benefit the Chamber offers is providing the necessary tools to affiliated companies to become integrated with the digital world. On the CANACO Nacional webpage, there is a microsite designed especially for CANACO San Miguel. Perales noted that this is a great opportunity for affiliated companies to make themselves known at a national level and to reach more potential clients.
The Chamber helps affiliated artisans by promoting their products at international exhibitions, like one that will take place in the near future in Houston, Texas. It also offers help in creating their own websites.
The Chamber of San Miguel is made up of a variety of commercial and tourism companies, such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, laboratories, water companies, and stationery stores.
Regarding the new municipal government’s security plans, Perales is grateful to the mayor for sharing his strategy with the Chamber, as security is fundamental for San Miguel’s success. If a tourist destination is unsafe, it affects all equally—businesses, retail, and the citizens who depend on those services. Even though Perales feels that it took a long time to formulate the plan, she is glad that it is under way. Peace and tranquility are essential, according to Perales, since many businesses have suffered violence. “Now what we need is for the security plan to be implemented. We are confident that they will do an excellent job, alongside all three levels of government, to ensure the wellbeing of society,” Perales commented.
Finally, Perales shared that she believes the economic recovery of SMA is positive. Thanks to the quality services that the city offers and the dedicated work of the government in the past few years, SMA has gained fame and good will throughout Mexico and the world.
She noted that although we are still dealing with the pandemic, the epidemiologic “traffic light” has been changed to green. This means fewer restrictions for local businesses, and a larger number of visitors in the city. “I had a feeling that people were just waiting for the restrictions to be lessened in order to visit San Miguel. Lately I have traveled a good deal to other states; it is gratifying to find that the officials of other chambers know our city and have come here to invest. This tells me that the economy dipped because of the pandemic, and that now, with fewer restrictions, we are nearing a very important point in the recovery,” added Perales.
Following the pandemic, many people have changed how they spend money. According to an American Express executive, the public is now spending money on trips and on experiences. This is very good news for San Miguel, because it is exactly what the city offers: a rich culture; gastronomy; varied attractions; and diverse activities. “It is very important to let visitors know that here in San Miguel we are prepared to receive them. We have a great destination that we need to care for and renew constantly. We need to ready ourselves to offer the best services,” added Perales.
This is why the Chamber is investing in the creation and preparation of affiliates through continuous capacitation. The goal is to make visitors feel welcome and happy with their visit to SMA. Perales has a motto: “To always be united, to be allies. Unity makes us stronger, together we are more.”
