Report and photos Florian Guillemin.
Talking about a "new destination" for an old one Aztec city is surprising, especially when it includes one of the world's most populous cities... However, Mexico City is currently experiencing a real wind of modernity.
At tourism fairs and in cinemas alike, the Mexican capital takes centre stage. It's where the plot of the latest James Bond film kicks off, featuring the Dia de los Muertosthe very festive "Day of the Dead".
This opening scene gave worldwide exposure to what has come to be known as the CDMX, for Ciudad de Mexico. More than just an acronym: a new identity. Indeed, the Mexican capital is taking care of its brand image and combating ambiguities, starting with the homonymy - in English - between the country and its capital. The makeover should also help to reassure foreign visitors that Mexico City is objectively safer than other parts of the country.
The capital is transforming, rebuilding, deconstructing, renovating and innovating
Strolling along the Paseo de la Reformathis a long business district in the heart of the city, there's nothing disturbing about the atmosphere. It's mainly businessmen in business suits and couples in embraces. The former are in a hurry or taking a break to have their shoes polished - literally - between two appointments, while the latter are enjoying a quality of life which has rarely reached such heights in the Mexican capital.
Mexico City has even managed to attract tourists from all over the world, who are discovering a city that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. a plethora of cultural activitiesa a thriving gastronomic sceneA city in full emulation.
The capital is transforming, rebuilding, deconstructing, renovating and innovating. The spectacle is sometimes chaotic, but that doesn't matter. From the Paseo de la Reforma, business travellers have a front-row seat to take part in the joyous bazaar that is turning the Mexican capital upside down.
Mexico in figures
15 - Mexico is 15e world economy, and the 2e in Latin America after Brazil.
2,55 % - Mexico's GDP growth rate in 2015, a figure that has stabilised above 2% since 2014.
8 - Mexico City came eighth,
tied with Washington as the top meeting destinations in the Americas, according to ICCA's 2016 rankings.
120 million - Mexico City's new airport, which will replace the Benito Juarez hub, will eventually be able to handle 120 million passengers a year. The project, designed by Norman Foster, could be inaugurated in 2020.
N°1- The Mexican capital tops the 2016 ranking of the world's most congested cities, ahead of Bangkok and Istanbul.
