Tijuana merchants who cater to tourists are worried Mexico's plan to screen all cars headed south into Tijuana will be another blow to their business.
They estimate sales have dropped 80 percent since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Mexican customs officials say screening cars is a matter of national security and they'll be looking for contraband like cash and guns.
Few dispute Mexico's decision to crack down. However, many commuters, analysts and businessmen on both sides of the border take issue with how Mexico
will do it.
Julian Palombo is president of a group of Tijuana tourist businesses. He says Mexico must add seven southbound lanes at San Ysidro or the massive
traffic jams will drive tourists away.
"Some Tijuana merchants have already left, and gone to San Diego swap meets and to find the clients who don't cross the border anymore," Palombo says.
He also says one man who sold Mexican trinkets recently closed the last of his eight shops and now sells cars in San Diego.
City officials in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where customs is already screening cars, say the program causes long waits during rush hour and weekends.arrowhead - 7-22-2009 at 01:09 PM
Sales have already dropped 80% since 911 and they say losing the last 20% "could be catastropic"? They sure have a talent for hyperbole. Reminds me of
the scene in the Monty Python movie where the knight has already lost his arms and legs in a sword fight.DENNIS - 7-22-2009 at 01:14 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by arrowhead
Reminds me of the scene in the Monty Python movie where the knight has already lost his arms and legs in a sword fight.
I didn't see that one. Who won the fight?arrowhead - 7-22-2009 at 04:09 PM
It is one of the classic Python scenes Libertygoat - 7-22-2009 at 04:28 PM
Alright, We'll call it a draw.Woooosh - 7-22-2009 at 06:12 PM
Can those disdruntled merchants going to the USA please take over Old Town State Park in San Diego so there wil lbe something Mexican there we can
recognize!Woooosh - 7-22-2009 at 06:16 PM
Quote:
He also says one man who sold Mexican trinkets recently closed the last of his eight shops and now sells cars in San Diego.
Man that guy has good timing- just in time for Obamas- "trade in a clunker program" stimulus program to boost new car sales.
