“Tourism stumbles in Mexico” revisited

Last month we published a post describing how tourism in Mexico had been hit hard by increasing violence. The number of tourists visiting cities nationwide- especially in northern border states- fell by as much as 20% last year according to the Mexican Association of Hotels and Motels.

The Mexican government, however, contradicted that information and claimed that tourism continues to be strong. According to data released by the Tourism Department, visitors to the country spent more money last year compared to 2007. In addition, a statement from the agency claimed a 5.9% increase in tourism in 2008 to the tune of over 23 million foreign visitors.

Why the increase in visitors and revenue? Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo said that it was due to the plummeting value of the peso as well as cheaper air travel.

Despite the rosy picture painted by Elizondo and his agency, the U.S. State Department views Mexican tourism differently:

"Recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades," the (State Department) advisory reads. "Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but most recently in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area".

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- Bloomberg, Xinhua, LAHT, washingtonpost.com, AP, The Latin Americanist