MEXICO CITY ? Longer lines generated by heightened security continue to batter Mexico's tourism industry along the U.S. border, where the number of
visitors is down 13 percent since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Tourism Secretary Rodolfo Elizondo said Thursday.
During a meeting with a small group of foreign reporters, Elizondo said 13.6 million foreign tourists visited this country in the first nine months of
2003, a 6.6 percent drop from the number of foreigners who came from January to September 2002.
The tourism secretary blamed the decline on the falling number of visitors along the U.S. border, saying that 6 million Americans used to drive into
this country to vacation before Sept. 11, 2001, but less than 4.9 million are doing so now.
"Heightened security makes crossing the border less attractive," Elizondo said. "No one wants to wait four hours to return to their home country."
To distinguish themselves from daily commuters, visitors must spend at least a day and a half in Mexico before returning to the United States,
Elizondo said.
Despite the decline in foreign visitors, the amount of foreign currency tourism generated from January until September jumped more than 7 percent from
the same period a year ago, to more than US$7 billion. That tally was expected to surpass US$9 billion for the first time ever in 2004.
"Those who are coming are staying longer and spending more," Elizondo said, adding that a slightly improved U.S. economy has given Americans more
money to spend on travel.
About 85 percent of Mexico's foreign tourists come from Canada and the United States. The tourism department also has promoted the country in China,
Japan and other Asian countries in recent months, Elizondo said.
Generating US$54 billion annually, tourism is Mexico's fourth most- profitable industry behind oil, money sent home from Mexicans living and working
in the United States, and foreign investment.
The vast majority of tourism revenue is generated by Mexicans visiting locales in their homeland. The country's domestic tourism market grew 4.7
percent in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year, Elizondo said.
The tourism secretary said Mexico will spend US$1.4 billion on promoting tourism and improving infrastructure at the country's key tourist centers
this year and hopes to spend an even larger amount in 2004.
Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos are Mexico's most-visited destinations and beach resorts continue to far outpace the country's other tourist
attractions such as cities and Mayan ruins, Elizondo said.
About 80 percent of Mexican and foreign tourists head for the country's world-famous beaches when they go on vacation. bufeo - 12-14-2003 at 11:36 AM
Tourism to Mexico may be down, but I wonder where some of the information comes from...
Quote:
"No one wants to wait four hours to return to their home country."
In the past five years we have crossed back into the states at Mexicali over fifty times and the
longest wait has been under an hour.
I realize that Tijuana is supposed to be the busiest border crossing in the U.S. but 'four hours'??? Perhaps other crossings along the AZ or TX
borders have these long waits.
I'd be interested to know if anyone reading this thread has had to wait four hours at the border.TMW - 12-14-2003 at 05:21 PM
I usually come back thru Tecate. After the Baja 1000 I came back on Saturday evening at 5pm and it took me less than 15 min. Since 9/11 I don't think
I've waited more than 35-40 min. to cross.
I stay away from TJ going and coming if possible.
