BajaNomad

Ensenada DESERTED of TOURISTS !!

ElFaro - 6-12-2008 at 09:19 PM

Took a short trip down to Estero Bch. Resort for 6 days from last Friday 6/6 to today 6/12. Stayed in the RV campground with our trailer. We were the only ones in the RV park the entire time! There were no stopover campers. Even the hotel was deserted. Workers told me the RV park was about 1/4 the people for the Baja 500 this year compared to last year. They also told me about 20-25 workers have been laid off due tourists staying away. Driving down last Friday and returning today we did not see one other camping or towed camping vehicle. It was a little erie. Reminded me of the 70's. Went to La Bufadora on Tues...all Mexicans...only met one Amer. family from Utah. Also met a guy staying at the hotel on Tues. who walked down to the campground where we were. Told us someone was passing out flyers at the Rosarito toll gates offering Estero Bch. rooms for $60/nite...no reservations needed. Their website says rooms are $100 and up. Business is really slow.

woody with a view - 6-12-2008 at 09:28 PM

we'll be lunching at tacos poblanos tomorrow. then on to points south.

report to follow.

Santiago - 6-12-2008 at 10:31 PM

We stayed overnight at Pyramid end of May (Memorial Day weekend) and ate at La Fonda and while I wouldn't say the Pyramid was crowded, La Fonda was wall-to-wall. First time at La Fonda and we all liked it - especially the band. Freaked out when they did a cover of "Those cotton fields back home" - now that was a crowd pleaser. Could have done without 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Hotel California' however.

capt. mike - 6-13-2008 at 06:23 AM

excellent news! i always wanted to spend time at EBR but it was either packed or over priced. it is a very short taxi from Ensenada's aeropuerto, like maybe 10 minutes so no car needed - just hit a store on the way in and stock snacks and booze.

looks like i need to plan a trip hasta pronto since it is 111 estimated here sunday.:bounce::bounce:

bajabound2005 - 6-13-2008 at 07:46 AM

Ensenada itself is hardly deserted of tourists. It's still a very busy place nearly every day, especially when there is a cruise ship in the port. These days, that's nearly every day except Tuesday. June, in general, is a pretty slow month because we have serious June Gloom and it seems to be even worse this year and lasting nearly the entire day, every day. When I got up this AM at 6:00 it was pretty clear and sunny. Now it's completely overcast. It's just not great beach weather in June!

On Wednesday, we made a day trip to the Guadalupe Valley. There were a number of tour buses at the wineries, all packed with Americans.

As for Estero Beach, they raised their rates so high that people who used to frequent the place are going elsewhere. Case in point, the volleyball tournament was held there every summer for years. Last year the organizers moved it to Rosarito because Estero made it financially impossible to continue having it there.

wilderone - 6-13-2008 at 08:28 AM

I once went to LA Cetto where it was packed with people and I asked them where they had all come from - he told me they were from a cruise ship in Ensenada.

CaboRon - 6-13-2008 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
excellent news! i always wanted to spend time at EBR but it was either packed or over priced. it is a very short taxi from Ensenada's aeropuerto, like maybe 10 minutes so no car needed - just hit a store on the way in and stock snacks and booze.

looks like i need to plan a trip hasta pronto since it is 111 estimated here sunday.:bounce::bounce:


Where is here :?:

fulano - 6-13-2008 at 01:14 PM

This article is today's El Sol de Tijuana says that the hotel's are at a 60% occupancy in northern Baja and that they should be at least 80%. The president of the Hotel Operators Association of the Northeast says that the 60% ocupancy is about the same level as last year and that the situation won't improve until the security situation improves.

He's also pointing a finger at the recession in the US.

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n732760.htm

bacquito - 6-13-2008 at 01:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Ensenada itself is hardly deserted of tourists. It's still a very busy place nearly every day, especially when there is a cruise ship in the p


It is my understanding that one of the two cruise ships that regularly visits Ensenada is ending its agreement to visit Ensenada soon.

comitan - 6-13-2008 at 01:43 PM

Ron

Phoenix!

BajaGringo - 6-13-2008 at 01:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bacquitoIt is my understanding that one of the two cruise ships that regularly visits Ensenada is ending its agreement to visit Ensenada soon.


That may be. The region is soon to get new stimulus to the south as they have just put the Punta Colonet project out for bid.

bajabound2005 - 6-13-2008 at 04:39 PM

Ensenada Loses Monarch of the Seas Cruise Ship
Major Tourism Blow
BY ERICK FALCON

First it was tuna. Now, Ensenada will see another key economic activity crumble as cruise ship tourism goes downhill. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship company, which has been visiting Ensenada for almost three decades, will cancel the arrivals of the ship "Monarch of the Seas" on October 15, 2008. The visit is no longer profitable, and the cruise ship company also disagrees with the new five dollar tourist charge that the Mexican Congress approved two weeks ago. The new tourist fee for cruise ship visitors has been opposed locally, and has local entrepreneurs making all kinds of gloomy predictions.

The cancellation of the Monarch of the Seas means that there will be 100 fewer cruise ship arrivals at the port, and nearly 200,000 fewer passengers coming to the city's restaurants and tourist shops. That is a loss of around 10 million dollars per year, said Secretary of Tourism Alejandro Moreno. Royal Caribbean made this decision because of the uncertainty of the tourism fee, saying that now that the charge has been imposed, it could increase in the future. The company's withdrawal from Ensenada was originally scheduled for 2010, but the new fee drove Royal Caribbean to make an earlier exit than expected. The Secretary of Tourism likened the situation to when the "Viking Serenade" cruise ship stopped coming to Ensenada in 2002.

The local chamber of commerce has strongly opposed the new tourism fee, arguing that it will severely impact the city's economy. The three million dollars that the city will supposedly obtain from the new fee will not occur, said entrepreneurs, because Royal Caribbean has left town. An 80 percent decrease in tourism is estimated, given that the "Monarch of the Seas" arrives in Ensenada twice a week.

DENNIS - 6-13-2008 at 05:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
That may be. The region is soon to get new stimulus to the south as they have just put the Punta Colonet project out for bid.


"Soon" in Mexico could be a thousand years away.

BajaGringo - 6-13-2008 at 05:58 PM

That is true, but the fact that they are about to award bids on the first phase of port construction and rail access to Yuma, tells me that this is sooner than later...

fulano - 6-13-2008 at 06:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
"Soon" in Mexico could be a thousand years away.


No, that would be "mañana". For periods of less than 1,000 years, but more than 100 years, they use "pronto". For periods between one second and one century they use "ahora mismo".

:lol:

DENNIS - 6-13-2008 at 06:06 PM

Well, what ever happened to "Ahorita?" It used to mean something. Has it lost value as a time marker?

flyfishinPam - 6-13-2008 at 06:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Well, what ever happened to "Ahorita?" It used to mean something. Has it lost value as a time marker?


horita = not now
en un rato = over an hour
manaña = whenever the hell I feel like it
mas tarde = never

Sharksbaja - 6-13-2008 at 06:54 PM

Hey, show some respect............................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................manana!

CaboRon - 6-13-2008 at 07:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Ensenada Loses Monarch of the Seas Cruise Ship
Major Tourism Blow
BY ERICK FALCON

First it was tuna. Now, Ensenada will see another key economic activity crumble as cruise ship tourism goes downhill. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship company, which has been visiting Ensenada for almost three decades, will cancel the arrivals of the ship "Monarch of the Seas" on October 15, 2008. The visit is no longer profitable, and the cruise ship company also disagrees with the new five dollar tourist charge that the Mexican Congress approved two weeks ago. The new tourist fee for cruise ship visitors has been opposed locally, and has local entrepreneurs making all kinds of gloomy predictions.

The cancellation of the Monarch of the Seas means that there will be 100 fewer cruise ship arrivals at the port, and nearly 200,000 fewer passengers coming to the city's restaurants and tourist shops. That is a loss of around 10 million dollars per year, said Secretary of Tourism Alejandro Moreno. Royal Caribbean made this decision because of the uncertainty of the tourism fee, saying that now that the charge has been imposed, it could increase in the future. The company's withdrawal from Ensenada was originally scheduled for 2010, but the new fee drove Royal Caribbean to make an earlier exit than expected. The Secretary of Tourism likened the situation to when the "Viking Serenade" cruise ship stopped coming to Ensenada in 2002.

The local chamber of commerce has strongly opposed the new tourism fee, arguing that it will severely impact the city's economy. The three million dollars that the city will supposedly obtain from the new fee will not occur, said entrepreneurs, because Royal Caribbean has left town. An 80 percent decrease in tourism is estimated, given that the "Monarch of the Seas" arrives in Ensenada twice a week.


The Monarch of the Seas has been porting twice a week at Ensanada, slightly over one hundred stops a year.

Holland America which operates Sea of Cortez stops on the Ryndam has threatened to stop those popular cruises in response to the new port charge.

Once again the Mexican Government has gone for the short term gain rather than the long term growth of this market.

Carnival also makes port in Ensanada three times a week with two different ships.

Stupid is as stupid does.

CaboRon

Sharksbaja - 6-13-2008 at 07:54 PM

Don't worry Carnival will most likely follow suit. Yes brilliant lawmakers!

ElFaro - 6-13-2008 at 09:12 PM

Bajabound...

I agree with some of your points...but June Gloom is not a reason for low tourist turnout in Ensenada. Maybe I should have been more specific. Since going to Baja from about 1968 in all months of the year I have never NOT SEEN at least one camper or RV rig or towed RV rig of some sort between the border gates and Estero either coming or going. And this time we did not see a single rig !!! BTW...from what I heard the vollyball tournament moved to Rosarito because the aggregate tournament fees went up considerably...that I agree with. But the RV camp fees have been $30-35 per nite for at least the past year and a half.

I believe the reason for few RV rigs in Baja is the 1-2 punch of 1st bad reports of tourists being accosted on the toll roads and then followed by the sudden increase in gas/diesel prices here in the US. People who have to tow several hundred miles through the US just to get to the border then have to tow those same miles on the return trip are pulling back and staying put.

This will never be a problem for me because I live about 8 miles north of Tecate in the back country of San Diego. Most of my driving is in Baja on $2.05/gal. diesel. But I can see how this would be a subtantial $ hit for Northern US and Canadian folks right in the pocketbook.

bajabound2005 - 6-13-2008 at 09:19 PM

at the prices in the US, who the $%^& would tow a rig of any kind to Baja? Unless they live close to the border and can get TO the border with under a couple gallons of gas!!!

CaboRon - 6-14-2008 at 08:24 AM

Just put everything in the car :lol:


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ELINVESTIG8R - 6-14-2008 at 08:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Just put everything in the car :lol:


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Or into Mama Espinoza's formerly covered wagon.


fulano - 6-25-2008 at 05:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Ensenada itself is hardly deserted of tourists. It's still a very busy place nearly every day, especially when there is a cruise ship in the port.


Just saw this in today's "El Vigia":
"Se desploman 75% ventas en zona turística"
[Sales fall 75% in tourist zone]

http://elvigia.net/noticias/?seccion=generales&id=44307

The article goes on to say that since 2006 more than 15 stores have closed, most of them having been in business 15 or 20 years, for lack of enough business to even pay the rent.

DENNIS - 6-25-2008 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fulano

The article goes on to say that since 2006 more than 15 stores have closed, most of them having been in business 15 or 20 years, for lack of enough business to even pay the rent.


I wonder how many of those were restaurants. The cruise ship crowd is just about all that's left and since they are fed well on board, they don't spend a lot of time dining and drinking in town. I guess this means everybody will be raising their prices.

bajabound2005 - 6-25-2008 at 09:01 PM

Yeah! I never understood all the restaurants in the tourist area; those cruisers are NOT here to eat! And the "souvenir" stores?....nothing but Chinese crap! You can't find anything authentically Mexican without digging deep! I won't buy anything in those places unless there is a tag that says HECHO EN MEXICO. But fact is, most of it says HECHO EN CHINA.

[Edited on 6-26-2008 by bajabound2005]