BajaNomad

Baja businesses, tourism officials to U.S. customers: 'Come Back!'

bajabound2005 - 1-23-2008 at 08:56 PM

Baja businesses, tourism officials to U.S. customers: 'Come Back!'

By Greg Gross
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM

5:38 p.m. January 23, 2008

TIJUANA – With cross-border visits showing marked declines, business and Baja California tourism officials are going into full-scale damage control in hopes of regaining ground lost over the past year.
“The image of the security problem has hit the state very badly,” said Baja California's tourism secretary, Oscar Escobedo Carignan.

At a news conference Wednesday at state government offices in Tijuana, Escobedo described a new program aimed at luring visitors back to the region's tourist spots.

The program, called “Get Your Passport,” offers discounts at hotels, restaurants bars and shops to those holding a U.S. passport.

On the promotional posters and other materials being printed for the campaign are the words, “Come Back!”

Escobedo also told reporters that the state was contracting with a public relations firm to help Baja California deal with what he termed “crisis management.”

The problem lies in a major falloff of visitors driving to the Baja California region from the United States. Escobedo said there were 1.5 million fewer visitors in 2007 than in 2006.

“We have over 80,000 people who are U.S. citizens who live in Baja California. They are aware of what the situation is and we don't have any problem with those people,” Escobedo said. “The problem is with people who do not understand the border.

“It's a challenge and we're working on it.”

Escobedo said the region has suffered a significant blow to its image with reports of organized crime and violence in Baja California, as well as of robberies and assaults on foreign tourists in the last year.

That image wasn't helped by news videos broadcast around the world showing a fierce 3½-hour gunbattle last week between Mexican police and soldiers and gunmen believed loyal to the Arellano Felix drug cartel. Six bodies of presumed kidnap victims were found in the house after the shooting ended.

Escobedo insisted, however, that stepped up patrols along what he termed “secure routes” between Tijuana and Ensenada had taken hold, and that no additional highway banditry had been reported since Nov. 17.

“This is something that will be permanent by the state and federal government and we feel confident that this will not be an issue anymore,” Escobedo said.

Those who view Baja California as a dangerous, crime-ridden region, Escobedo said, do so because of what he described as heavily repeated news accounts of robberies and assaults. He said that gives the impression that the incidents are more frequent and recent than they actually are.

“If my children go to school in the United States,” he said. “I'm not going to pull them out just because of Columbine.”

In his view, the long waits at the ports of entry to return to U.S. territory present more of an impediment to travel, he said. But he also insisted that with the Mexican federal government beginning to take a hard line against organized crime in that country, the region's image would improve.

“We are going through a maturing process, and we're not going to put up with this anymore,” he said.

The “Get Your Passport” program begins as the region braces for U.S. border crossing rules that go into effect Jan. 31. The rules require U.S. citizens to show proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization papers or a passport, to re-enter the United States through any land crossing. Some businesses fear the rules will further hurt tourism.

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Greg Gross: (619) 293-1889; greg.gross@uniontrib.com

bajaguy - 1-23-2008 at 09:06 PM

Escobedo also told reporters that the state was contracting with a public relations firm to help Baja California deal with what he termed “crisis management.”....................

If he really wants to handle crisis management he should contract with Blackwater..........

Al G - 1-23-2008 at 09:29 PM

Few people if any fear gun battles or the drug cartels...they know the cops are behind the highway robberies...The cops are the ones praying on the tourist for their Mordidia. Most people are sick and tired of the contempt the cops have for travelers....until they show proof positive of arrest and pursuit of the criminal cops nobody is going to be happy. They are trying to blame these highway and beach jacking on the cartels and we all know it is the cops doing it.
The shear fact they will not listen to you, should tell you that...how could they try to arrest themselves:lol::lol::P:P

bajadedom - 1-23-2008 at 10:51 PM

The problem is that Americans DO...yes we DO UNDERSTAND the border and thats why we don't feel safe until we're 100 miles south of it.....STOP BLAMING the press(that's why we DO understand) and Colombine (not relevant at all)....Just searching for more BS to camaflouge the reality of corruption existing and growing in Mexico. Calling a route "secure" because it is patrolled (you don't need to patrol anything that is secure do you?) just emphasizes the fact that if there is no patrol in sight...the route must NOT be secure. Stay put and hurt 'em economically is the answer ---$$$talks......etc.

CaboRon - 1-24-2008 at 07:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Al G
Few people if any fear gun battles or the drug cartels...they know the cops are behind the highway robberies...The cops are the ones praying on the tourist for their Mordidia. Most people are sick and tired of the contempt the cops have for travelers....until they show proof positive of arrest and pursuit of the criminal cops nobody is going to be happy. They are trying to blame these highway and beach jacking on the cartels and we all know it is the cops doing it.
The shear fact they will not listen to you, should tell you that...how could they try to arrest themselves:lol::lol::P:P


Right on Al,

And why are his kids going to school in the US if it is so safe in TJ ? You can bet those weren't his kids being escorted to safety the other day during the shootout.



CaboRon

Cypress - 1-24-2008 at 07:20 AM

The stagnant US real estate market is also a factor.:)

bajabound2005 - 1-24-2008 at 08:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Right on Al,
And why are his kids going to school in the US if it is so safe in TJ ? You can bet those weren't his kids being escorted to safety the other day during the shootout.
CaboRon


Perhaps you misread the quote. It says, IF his kids went to school in the US...., not that they DO.

Incidentally, we made the drive from San Diego to Ensenada on Tuesday. No evidence of any elevated "security" anywhere. The military has set up a new camp on Internacional (just before the Playas turnoff southbouth) where they were last year, but they were not stopping any cars.

bajadock - 1-24-2008 at 08:34 AM

I'm sticking with with my optimistic/fairy tale viewpoint. Now that significant money is being lost, several are attempting to change. The druggers are likely changing as well. Hoping that all levels of government, business sector and private citizens are moving in a similar direction to make life more difficult for criminals.

I'm living here, spending my money here and along the TJ-Ensenada corridor and enjoying my freedom.

David K - 1-24-2008 at 09:18 AM

I wonder why he thinks we would react positively to the statement/ idea of his kids going to school in the U.S. (in his example of a 'what if' situation)??? Who does he think pays that cost, not any Mexico taxpayers!!

This is just so lame!

Right on Al G !!

COPS, NOT CARTELS

bajajazz - 1-24-2008 at 05:26 PM

It's fundamentally absurd to say that the drug cartels are behind the extortion attempts that are occurring on the TJ-Ensenada highway. That kind of highway mordida activity reeks of police involvement and it's ridiculous to think that heavy duty gangsters who are raking in millions -- even billions -- of dollars a year would stoop to it.

And throwing in a reference to the Columbine tragedy? That's low-class dirty pool and not relevant to the discussion at hand at all.

DENNIS - 1-24-2008 at 05:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajazz
That kind of highway mordida activity reeks of police involvement and it's ridiculous to think that heavy duty gangsters who are raking in millions -- even billions -- of dollars a year would stoop to it.


It's the other way around, Einstien. The police are involved in all of it.

Hook - 1-24-2008 at 05:52 PM

Even with my personal boycott due to the crime, I cant disagree with his contention that the border waits are also a factor. I had begun reducing my number of weekend trips because I simply got tired of waiting for around two hours OR cutting my trips short to avoid the peak times.

Making the weekend trips a bit longer to avoid the crowds isnt always an option for the 40 hour employee.

Al G - 1-24-2008 at 06:27 PM

I agree with you Hook...I hate it and my Motorhome hates it....she got to saying nasty things to me last time.:lol:

fdt - 1-24-2008 at 09:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajazz

And throwing in a reference to the Columbine tragedy? That's low-class dirty pool and not relevant to the discussion at hand at all.

I agree with you and I'm sorry he made that remark.

Al G - 1-24-2008 at 11:23 PM

There is something people who make the excuse "well it is happening in LA, Oakland, Las Vegas..." are not taking into account, It is still happening in Baja Norte, and Sur. The people in LA..Richmond, Oakland are screaming and demanding something be done...not much is...but they are not blaming Baja...
Someone said they don't know who the bad cops are...the good ones do...and their brother-in-laws do...long time resident of TJ and Rosarito do...their friends do. I am not talking about someone that is invisible. The US is full of sickos that are caught everyday and still more come up like weeds...the difference??? the cops. In Baja the cops are the cancer...hard to judge them though, the cancer has been in their society forever. They have their detractors, but they have others that support them to the extent of ignoring RAW facts. The drugs and cartels are all side issues...something the tourist officials can blame for the down turn in tourism. The real truth is Gringos are afraid of the cops and just cannot deal with the harassment.
This official is using the army being there, to say all is safe no more problems...when the army is gone in a month, just what do you think will happen....they didn't put the cops in jail and that includes the "good" ones, so we are back to square one. This is actual sickness that requires total marshall law and replacement of all cops, good and bad...I do not feel for the good ones, because they know who the bad ones are.
I sure hope they are putting the cops away...I know they had some proof...but if they are and not publicizing it they are making a major mistake. They can put all the cartel people they want in jail and it will not make any difference to the tourist...you put the cops in jail for raping that woman and put the cops in jail for holding a gun to the head of a young kid...it will make all the US papers. Go out and prove the cops did something to catch criminals or return property in defense of a gringo...that will make the world papers:mad::( That is when you get the gringo dollar back...if they ever accomplish this they will have all the gringo tourist dollar they can use.

DENNIS - 1-25-2008 at 07:17 AM

If they think business is bad now, wait till passports / birth certs are required for re-entry. Revolution Avenue on weekend nights will be a ghost town. I don't think too many of these partying kids will be getting the required documents just to drink at 18.

Alan - 1-25-2008 at 09:09 AM

Passports? Border waits? These are mere inconveniences that I have no problem dealing with. When they can guarantee the safety of my family I will return. Not before! They need to focus on changing the reality, not the just image.

Providing armed escorts in front and behind tourist caravans might not be so far-fetched. :lol:

Al G - 1-25-2008 at 09:31 AM

I believe the cops are laying low for now...just waiting until this blows over again. The danger for your family is minimal now. Just proves it is the cops who are doing the raping and scaring the crap of of young kids while robbing them. It won't last long though...once a cop starts living the criminal life, they will have to rob again to support that life...

CaboRon - 1-25-2008 at 08:30 PM

Do you expect a public relations person to say anything else ? :lol::bounce::lol:

I mean, that's what they do :lol::lol::lol::bounce:

CaboRon

fdt - 1-25-2008 at 08:45 PM

They hav'nt been hired yet.

allanbartlett - 1-26-2008 at 12:00 AM

At least if I get robbed or assualted somewhere in California, I have a chance of dealing with police who care and are not corrupt. When it happens in Baja, no one cares in authority.

Sharksbaja - 1-26-2008 at 12:19 AM

Good points Al. Makes sense. Just more lip service. Sure more important than ones opinion of gravy.;) It

Come Baaak, Come Baaak

CaboRon - 1-26-2008 at 10:51 AM

When you are exiting the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland you hear a hauntilng voice saying....

"Come Baaak, Come Baaak "

Woooosh - 1-26-2008 at 11:18 AM

I agree. Just more lip service. Talking about change doesn't make it happen- they have to want to change. So far they only want to change the perception of crime- not crime itself or they would have hired Blackwater to patrol the toll road, not a PR firm to BS us.

Still no Rosarito police. The Federales are driving the police vehicles in my area. I have seen only a few familiar policemen- and they're only doing crosswalk duty. I do like that the Army has posted their phone number for people to call.

Mexico needs to clean it's house BEFORE it invites company over. You don't invite company to a pigstye.

castaway$ - 1-26-2008 at 12:15 PM

I think there are several factors affecting Baja tourism, as I stated in a previous post there are two distinct forms of violence-

Policia and federales robbing tourists (still)

War between the government and the cartel.

It's pretty unlikley that most tourists will get caught in a gun battle between the cartel and the government, but it could happen if your luck is running REAL, REAL low.

As far as being robbed, if you act stupid and flash your money and toys, don't travel in groups or travel at night your asking to be bit. It appears to be worse right now but if you were to look at the number of those still travelling and those that do get robbed has it really increased that dramaticaly or is it just being reported more because of all that is going on.

I believe Cypress brought up a good point the economy is keeping more people closer to home, I am a "Middle Class American" from a financial standpoint, I live in Oregon, for me the drive to Baja will cost me about $400 towing my boat just to get to TJ, add insurance for all vehicles, Tourist cards Etc..., fuel while in Baja $1000 - $1500 depending on how much I use my boat, then add lodging, food, drink and of course the return home. I used to go twice a year now I go once (and stay longer). But the biggest deterrent- fuel prices, The cops the cartel there the least of my worries.

CaboRon - 1-27-2008 at 06:41 AM

Excellent points castaway$ ...........

CaboRon

jimgrms - 1-28-2008 at 08:55 AM

So castaway your daying as long as we have lots of people with us and keep our money hid everything is ok .
Maybe we can get the public relations people to guard us

castaway$ - 1-28-2008 at 10:33 AM

I'm saying that there are ways to avoid being a target and there are alternative routes one could take to avoid the areas where the trouble is predominatley being reported from.
I would not plan a vacation in TJ or Rosarito, they could be dangerous , plus I don't really like those areas they are heavily populated and that is usually where the crime rates are the highest.
I am however not afraid to head to Mulege or Todos Santos for an extended stay and I wouldn't hesitate to take my family, the only recent killings I know of in Mulege have been in the tienda (as per Pompano's post).
Everybody should make their own choices as to whether it is safe or not, I do believe there are areas to be avoided and your actions while there could certainly put you at additional risk, the same things could happen if you drive through the wrong neighborhood in most any major U.S. city in the middle of the night or drive through flaunting your wealth.
And as far as needing a guard, if you think you need one you should probably stay home or find a new place to go until, or if, the Mexican government gets a handle on the situation, but for me life is to short to sit and wait. I have been many places in this world, some VERY dangerous, and my personal opinion Baja with the use of common sense precautions just isn't that bad.:D

CaboRon - 1-28-2008 at 11:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jimgrms
So castaway your daying as long as we have lots of people with us and keep our money hid everything is ok .
Maybe we can get the public relations people to guard us


Yes, and leave that Rolex and the big F-350 in the states !!!

Do not display wealth in a third world country.

CaboRon

toneart - 1-28-2008 at 11:56 AM

Tourism is way off here in Mulege and the restaurants are really hurting. Scotty´s is doing well though, and is getting good support from those who have homes here.

All is muy tranquillo.

If you want to boycott Baja to make a statement or to get the Mexican Government to take action, that is one thing. But if you are not coming because you are afraid, the only big problems occur when traveling at night. During the day there is the occassional mordida hassle up north, but how to deal with that has been discussed here ad-nauseum.:)

crystalsurf - 1-30-2008 at 07:12 PM

The cops are not laying low! We got pulled over for driving too slow through a 1ft puddle of water on Monday 1/28 around 1pm in Tijuana right before you get in line for the border. The cops threatened to throw us in jail saying that they knew they were going to find drugs in our car and kept saying they wanted to search the car in front of a judge and that the fine was going to be $1000. They were basically saying one way or another they were going to find drugs.

They made us follow them to another location (they had my wallet & ID) and basically after a little discussion they emptied my wallet and sent us on our way.

I've been going to Baja for 30 years and speak fluent Spanish and have paid the occasional bribe over the years but this is definately getting worse. I've had to pay the mordida the past 3 times I've visited.

bajaguy - 1-30-2008 at 07:19 PM

Why did you give him your wallet????

DENNIS - 1-30-2008 at 07:35 PM

It was a gift.

crystalsurf - 1-30-2008 at 07:50 PM

The cops told me to get out of the car, then put my hands behind my back and went through all my pockets. They went to put handcuffs on but I said 'please no esposas I already have them' and pointed to my wife. They seemed to like that joke but they took everything out of my pockets. By the way it was a Baja wallet (not my real wallet-I never carry that on me) but it did have about $120.00 worth of pesos.

bajaguy - 1-30-2008 at 07:54 PM

Ah, the old Baja Wallet trick.....I like it

Aventurera - 1-31-2008 at 09:45 AM

Crystalsurf, I hope you went directly to the police station or found another police officer and filed a complaint. Part of the problem has always been that tourists often don't bother to report these things because they just want to get back home.

Frontera just published an article today saying that last month only 9 police extortion complaints were filed by tourists, down from 360 in November.

Hook - 1-31-2008 at 12:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Aventurera
Crystalsurf, I hope you went directly to the police station or found another police officer and filed a complaint. Part of the problem has always been that tourists often don't bother to report these things because they just want to get back home.

Frontera just published an article today saying that last month only 9 police extortion complaints were filed by tourists, down from 360 in November.


Where's that vaunted hotline number to report problems? You know, the one Hugo Torres is supposedly touting.