*Updated Mar. 13*Guadalajara -
Spring Break 2013 in Acapulco is over before it started.
The Guerrero state secretary of tourism said today that based upon information obtained from innkeepers, 80% of spring breakers have canceled their reservations, most of which were for later this month.
Officials reported that at least 4,000 confirmed reservations have been canceled. Another 700 unconfirmed but expected student visitors failed to secure their places in recent weeks. Three hundred spring breakers still plan to visit the world famous resort, which has been besieged by security issues in the past six weeks.
A tourism spokesperson said that the cancellations represented a "grave problem" for the hospitality industry. A federal deputy who represents legislative districts in Guerrero noted that tourism accounts for at least 50% of the regional economy.
Six Spanish tourists were gang raped in Acapulco on Feb. 4. Two days later the Spanish Foreign Ministry called the resort and its environs a "zone of special danger." The Ministry issued a new alert last week, advising citizens to completely avoid Mexico if possible, particularly Guerrero state.
It especially urged Spaniards to avoid mountainous, rural regions of the state, where security has all but evaporated (Gunmen ambush police patrol in war torn Guerrero state, leaving nine officers dead). The Ministry warned of fake police roadblocks which might be manned by criminals wearing uniforms.
Daily violence continues on unabated in Acapulco. Yesterday a bus driver and two relief drivers were shot to death while they prepared to take on passengers in front of a suburban merchandise mart. A commando team of unidentified assailants fled after the executions. Last month the city's mayor acknowledged the "image of Acapulco" is on the line, and begged Enrique Peña Nieto for federal help.
But Guerrero governor Ángel Aguirre complained in a press interview Monday that "every little event in Acapulco gets magnified," saying "dark interests" are behind the maligning of the city's reputation. He may travel to Spain to meet with government officials there, he said.
Meanwhile, Madrid recommended many other regions of the country be avoided as well.
"The insecurity which is ravaging Mexico, especially, although not solely, in northern states, should be taken into account by those who have plans to travel in the region, as well as by Spanish citizens who reside there," cautioned the Foreign Ministry in its announcement.
The Spanish government warned of "special danger for travelers" in the following areas:
• Ciudad Juárez and nearby border crossings
• The states of Chihuahua, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sinaloa and Sonora
• The state of Tamaulipas, especially Ciudad Victoria, and border crossings near Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville, Texas
• Tampico, Tamaulipas
• Virtually all of the Monterrey metropolitan area, as well as major highways leading to it from any direction (Feb. 14 - Family of ICE agent murdered by Los Zetas in Mexico sues U.S. government)
• The states of Michoacán and Veracruz
Another day in Tamaulipas state, just across the border from Brownsville
Mar. 13 - An article in today's Spanish press paints a horrifying picture of Tamaulipas, labeling it an Estado Fallido - a failed state. The report notes that last week, in the space of 84 hours, there were 60 drug war murders. Heavily armed cartel bosses and execution teams travel at will in large convoys of "luxury SUVs," like an army patrolling captured territory. No one does anything, claims Por Esto.
Mar. 23 - Seven Federal Police officers executed in Guerrero
Mar. 19 - Expanding Gulf Cartel likely behind three recent Riviera Maya atrocities
Mar. 7 - U.S. security firm urges tourist caution in Acapulco, Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán
Mar. 5 - Canadian tourists, 60 and 65, injured in Acapulco assault
Mar. 4 - Cancún prepares for influx of spring breakers with strong display of military muscle
Feb. 24 - Murder of Belgian in Acapulco tourist district further damages already tarnished image
Feb. 23 - Mexico nabs chief executioner for Cartel of Acapulco
Feb. 6 - Gunmen ambush police patrol in war torn Guerrero state, leaving nine officers dead
Feb. 1 - Human Rights Watch criticism of Mexican drug war reveals little understanding of conflict
Rapes of six Spanish tourists in Acapulco on Feb. 4
Feb. 4 - Spanish tourists raped, robbed on Acapulco beach front
Feb. 5 - USA Today story, quoting Mexico Gulf Reporter: Six tourists raped in Acapulco
Feb. 8 - Today could bring arrests in Acapulco rape case, as more disturbing details emerge
Feb. 8 - Serial rapists may be responsible for Acapulco attacks - but do police have the right men?
Feb. 13 - Mexican prosecutors announce arrests in Acapulco rapes
© MGRR 2013. All rights reserved. This article may be cited or briefly quoted with proper attribution or a hyperlink, but not reproduced without permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment