DECLARACIÓN Y PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS DE APOYO SOBRE LA ACTUALIZACIÓN DE LA ALERTA DE VIAJES DEL 20 DE FEBRERO DE 2009 DECLARACION OFICIAL DEL CONSEJO: Mexico remains a safe tourist destination and this is reflected in the 22.6 million international visitors that arrived in 2008, of which, 18 million were Americans. This number represents a 5.9 percent increase from the previous year. Tourists who suffered any incidents were minimal. Mexico is the tenth most visited tourist destination in the world and is a very large country with many safe destinations to visit and enjoy. The violence associated with drug trafficking is isolated in cities that are far away from tourism destinations. We suggest using common precautions as when traveling to any foreign country. *** México continua siendo un destino turístico seguro; prueba fehaciente de ello son los 22.6 millones de viajaron que visitaron nuestro país durante el 2008, de los cuales 18 millones fueron norteamericanos. Esta cifra representa un incremento del 5.9 por ciento con respecto al año anterior. La violencia asociada con el tráfico de drogas se ha presentado en ciudades alejadas de los destinos turísticos del país. Aunado a esto, los incidentes relacionados con turistas son mínimos y han sido hechos que se han dado de forma aislada. México ocupa la décima posición en lo que a los países más visitados del mundo se refiere, y la gran diversidad de su territorio ofrece al turista, una infinidad de destinos seguros y sobre todo, la hospitalidad que caracteriza a su gente. Es necesario, que los turistas tengan en cuenta que el mantener las precauciones necesarias, y el respetar las reglas de seguridad que normalmente se establecen al viajar a un país en el extranjero, es una medida primordial para garantizar su bienestar y seguridad durante su estancia en nuestro país. 1
Q&A: Crimen Organizado Q. Is Mexico an unsafe place to travel? Mexico ranks tenth as an international travel destination in the world and is the number one international tourism destination for North Americans traveling abroad. Many tourists to the country are repeat visitors, which demonstrate that the vast majority of tourists are satisfied and leave with overwhelmingly positive impressions. Nevertheless, visitors to any destination in the world should exercise caution and common sense, and the same holds true when traveling to Mexico. Q. With the travel alert issued by the US State Department cautioning that even travel within the country beyond the border is dangerous. Should I just avoid traveling to Mexico completely? No, common sense and proper precautions must be taken when traveling anywhere in the world, and Mexico is no exception. Whether traveling on the border or if you find yourself in another area of the country, stick to high-traffic businesses and tourist areas; be aware of your surroundings, chart your course before-hand, and your stay should be a memorable and safe experience. Mexico s frontier, like many other frontiers in other countries, at times experiences certain conflicts. Those visiting or crossing border cities should do so while taking the proper precautions. Q: But then what do you make of the U.S. State Department cautioning against travel to the border due to infighting among drug cartels? The recent isolated incidents involving drug traffickers have prompted U.S. and Canadian authorities to suggest travelers exercise extra caution when visiting certain border towns. It is important to note, however, that this temporary announcement does not advise travelers against visiting our many safe tourist destinations. In fact, Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, declared that the intention of the alert is to inform of the punctual violent acts that are taking place in specific states of Mexico as well as in other nations. She clarified that in no way does this alert seek to negatively portray the tourist destinations Q. Shouldn t everyone just avoid going to Mexico, with everything that is going on with the crime and drug dealers? More than 22.6 million international tourists visited Mexico in 2008 representing a 5.9 percent increase compared to 2007 out of that the number of tourists who suffered accidents were minimal. Mexico is the tenth most visited tourist destination in the world and is a very large country with many safe destinations to visit and enjoy. As the country s promotion agency, the Mexico Tourism Board recommends visitors to contact our many offices for more information on the destination they are planning to visit. 2
Q. Is the drug situation out of control in Mexico, and should international visitors be concerned? Drug dealing and possession are a social problem that every nation faces, and Mexico is no exception. Fortunately, in Mexico and elsewhere, the violence associated with drug trafficking is isolated in cities that are far away from tourism destinations. The possession and consumption of drugs are illegal in Mexico, and the country has strict laws governing these offenses. Perpetrators are punished with harsh fines and prison sentences in Mexico. Visitors can be confidant that local authorities are working hard to apprehend all those who violate the law to bring them to justice. Q. We are worried because what if something does happen? Will emergency services be able to help? Federal and local governments are constantly working on improving emergency services, not only for tourists but for locals. Visitors should take precautions if they have any pre-existing medical needs and speak to their doctors before they travel abroad. We are also working on raising the bar in our standards to that our guests are kept safe, such as de-legalizing open bars in areas known as spring break destinations. Q. Reports of drug violence in Mexico have been widely circulated. Have these stories affected tourism to the country? These incidents have mostly taken place in some border cities and have not affected the decision of tourists to travel to Mexico, which received thousands of tourists in the past months. More than 22.6 million international tourists visited Mexico in 2008 representing a 5.9 percent increase compared to 2007. In addition, and according to the central Bank of Mexico, border tourism increased 11 percent, compared to 2007. Mexico is the number one most popular international tourism destination for Americans, with more than 18.34 million US visitors in 2008. Tourism revenues increased 4.6 percent in 2008 compared to 2007 to almost 13.2 billion dollars. 3
Boletín de Prensa distribuido por Newlink Communications como reacción a la actualización de la Alerta de Viajes Mexico Travel News Press Contact: Cessie Cerrato 1-800-929-4555 Cessie.cerrato@newlink-group.com northamericanpress@visitmexico.com TOURISM IN MEXICO FORGES AHEAD DESPITE WORLD'S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK More than 500 million dollars will be invested in the Pacific Coast in the creation of a new beach resort. Miami, Fl; February 24 th, 2009 In today s complicated economic scenario Mexico is moving forward with a new resort development to attract tourism to its Pacific Coast. Construction began this week for Mexico s newest resort town, expected to be the biggest project of its kind in the last 25 years. Twice the size of Cancún, located in Escuinapa, 65 miles South of Mazatlán, the resort town aims to be one of the best destinations in Mexico and around the world, featuring top notch infrastructure including highways, hotels, golf courses and marinas. Although it has yet to be named, the master planned resort has a strong environmental commitment to maintain the ecological balance in the area within its more than 5,800 acres made up of 155 species of birds such as the ibis and tiger eagle as well as four types of mangroves. The area also has impressive archeological sites, relaxing fishing villages and is surrounded by charming islands. Tourism is one of the most important industries in Mexico; in fact revenue generated by tourists reached $13.2 billion in 2008. The creation of this project alone is expected to create 150,000 jobs and attract more than 3 million national and international tourists each year with an estimated population of 500,000 by 2025. Mexico has seen the benefits of the substitution effect in which, due to the persisting economic scenario, these destinations within Mexico are an added value to Americans who are trading their long distance vacations for places near the U.S. In 2008, Mexico welcomed 22.6 million international visitors. That s a 5.9 percent increase from the previous year, of which, 18 million were Americans. Airlines are responding to this demand and are adding new flights to Mexico that are making it easier than ever to reach destinations all over the country. Recent launches such as Aeromexico s San Francisco Mexico City flight, Denver Mexico City, Los Angeles Culiacan, Los Angeles- Oaxaca, Albuquerque - Chihuahua and the upcoming Atlanta Cancún route. Jet Blue also launched routes from Tampa and Washington to Cancún and will add new services from Fort Lauderdale to Cancún in June. 4
The connectivity is just one of the reasons Americans are heading south, along Mexico s culture, infrastructure and diversity. With a strong dollar and excellent exchange rates, traveling to Mexico is more affordable than ever. About the Mexico Tourism Board The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Latin America. For more information on destinations and online trip bookings please go to www.visitmexico.com. FOR PRESS ONLY: For additional ideas, help with a story or general travel and tourism information about Mexico, please contact the MTB s U.S. Press Room directly at 1-800-929-4555, by e-mail at northamericanpress@visitmexico.com or visit our press Web site at www.visitmexicopress.com Become a Mexico Specialist! Visit www.magicofmexico.com for more details. # # # 5
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