Blog Post: Changing views on Mexico

The Mexican Tourism Board wants people in the U.S. to stop canceling trips to its country, while the U.S. State Department continues to issue warnings about travel there, and many Americans simply don?t heed travel warnings.

Mexico is highlighting its ancient ruins and lovely beaches in a multimillion-dollar ad campaign to persuade Americans to stick with their plans for Mexican vacations. Print media and billboards are extolling the wonders of the country. The idea is to show that Mexico might have gruesome, drug-related violence but there are plenty of places that are not affected at all.

An article by Reuters on MSNBC quoted Mexico Tourism Board CEO Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, ?Those travel alerts that were headlining, ?If you want to stay alive, don?t travel to Mexico,? we felt they were not only totally inaccurate but irresponsible.?

No doubt, the number of reports and the hideous details of the level of violence are daunting and could lead to the assumption that the country is in chaos.

The State Department reissued its general warning about travel in Mexico, noting that ?many people travel to Mexico without problems,? then added, ?Crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.

?Due to ongoing violence and persistent security concerns, you are urged to defer non-essential travel to the states of Tamaulipas and Michoacan, and to parts of the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi and Jalisco,? the department?s warning said.

Then, just last week, Mexico unveiled its campaign to settle nerves. Photos make Mexico so alluring, especially if seen on a billboard through a streaky, wet windshield. The sandy beaches lined with umbrellas, the palm trees, the pyramids, the churches, the utter beauty of the sea ? who wouldn?t want to go?

A recent poll conducted by Travel Leaders in Minneapolis revealed that 14 percent of travelers would not change plans because the State Department issued a warning; 20 percent of the 1,000 surveyed said such a warning would have very little effect on their plans. All sorts of travel websites, such as Lonely Planet, bloggers and commercial sites tout the safe places tourists will find in Mexico.

So, here?s the question: Would you go for sun and sand despite the warnings? Would you follow Web recommendations? Or would you change your plans? Share your thoughts.

Rose Byrne Willa Ford Desiree Dymond Teri Polo Summer Altice