Mexico Not Impacted by U.S. Travel Warning

February 14, 2005

Mexico Not Impacted by U.S. Travel Warning
February 14, 2005 – Despite the warning issued by the State Department late last month, major tour operators and Mexican hoteliers report little impact on bookings, according to Travel Weekly. The issue from the State Department warned U.S. citizens of the current security situation along the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico due to increased violence among drug traffickers. The announcement came after 27 Americans were abducted or vanished in a six-month period.

Among operators reporting increased sales, Tauck World Discovery states that it tracked a net increase in bookings for its Copper Canyon train tour.

Noting that Mexico bookings are up 30 percent over last year, a Tauck spokesman speculated "the guided nature of an escorted tour probably inspires increased consumer confidence."

Mexican officials stressed that public announcements are issued to alert U.S. citizens to certain dangers abroad; the more serious warnings advise against travel to a specified area.

Sectur, Mexico’s federal tourism authority, said, "The vast majority of U.S. citizens visiting Mexico enjoy a safe and pleasurable stay."

A spokeswoman for the Mexico Tourism Board offices in Miami said the organization had not received inquiries or comments from concerned U.S. tour operators or travelers.

For more information, http://visit%20www.travelweekly.com/.