MEXICO CITY — After insisting as recently as March 10 that the show would proceed as scheduled later this month, organizers of Mexico’s annual travel industry trade show and conference Tianguis now say the event will be postponed until September.

Trade and consumer news outlets in Mexico say Tianguis will be deferred until Sept. 19 – 22. The original dates were March 22 – 25.

Amid daily updates of lockdowns and cancellations around the world due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Canadian travel industry was surprised when organizers kept insisting the event would take place as scheduled.

A statement sent out March 10 said organizers looked forward “to welcoming all participants and guests with [the] hospitality and affection that has characterized us so far.”

Now Mexico’s Tourism Secretary Miguel Torruco Marques says that in light of the WHO designating the coronavirus as a pandemic, and no doubt influenced by last night’s surprise announcement of the Europe-to-U.S. travel ban by President Trump, Tianguis 2020 has been rescheduled for Sept. 22 – 25, 2020.

The Yucatan Times reports that the Tourism Secretary said the decision was “difficult but necessary”.

Upwards of 8,000 people were expected to attend Tianguis later this month, including 1,000 from overseas. The Yucatan Times reports that as of March 10 there were 1,300 buyer delegates confirmed, and 3,500 exhibitor delegates.

The news follows the cancellation of ITB Berlin, announced in late February.